Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to the characters involved in this story.
Notes & Warning: Shounen-ai, a hint of malexmale sex, dark, depressive, attempted rape…and the list goes on.
I also wanna say; you may have to pay attention to Yuki's annex to understand a certain part of this chapter nod
Fear my weak dialogue skills -.-

Chapter Seven

Tohma settles himself into the large leather chair and leans back, closing his eyes. He massages his temples softly for a second, before sitting forward; eyes open, and sorting through some paperwork, stacked in neat piles along the front of his elegant desk. He selects the pile furthest to his left and pulls out an old sheet of parchment, which is rolled up. He unravels it and picks up his quill, dips it in the blue inkbottle and scrawls Shuichi Shindou on to the parchment. He watches the ink seep into the parchment with a smug, satisfied smile on his face. Absently, he traces his quill tip over the larger writing at the top of the page; Abyss. He snaps out of his daze suddenly, due to a knock at his office door.
He waits a second, knowing no one will enter without his call, rolls up the parchment and says softly 'Enter.'
The heavy wooden door creeps open, stopping before it swings back into the wall and Ayaka enters.
'Ah, Ayaka.'
She looks at him nervously.
'Come in. Close the door. Take a seat.'
She follows his commands quickly, settling herself into a small hard chair sat before his desk.
She avoids his eyes, fingering her skirt nervously along the pleats.
'So…' he starts.
Ayaka shifts, perching on the edge of her seat stiffly. She continues to avoid his gaze, something Tohma is used to.
'I suppose I have to thank you for your help these past few hours.'
The female Angel flinches slightly, her figure hunches forward in guilt.
'You, of course, were correct in your conduct and I'm thankful you informed me of such a relationship. The matter has been dealt with now, Ayaka, and I no longer need to be seeing you…unless, of course, you have something to say to me?'
She hesitates, scrunching her skirt within her fists. She stays silent for a long time, before her words suddenly come rushing out.
'Why the Abyss?' she mutters quietly, 'why send him there? I asked you not to harm Shuichi and you did the complete opposite! The poor boy has been through enough and-'
Tohma cuts her off with a glare, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
'The boy is of little concern or matter in this situation, Ayaka,' he says sharply. She hangs her head.
'The only thing that matters is Eiri-san doing the right thing. Worse could have happened.'
'But that's not what we're meant to do! We're meant to help them! Not throw them into the worst place imaginable! Tohma…please, let him out! PLEASE,' Ayaka looks him in the eye, her blue eyes full of pleading.
'That is not my concern, Ayaka.'
'It should be! You're an ArchAngel!'
'Goodbye, Ayaka.'
She lets out a defeated puff of breath, glares at him and then hastily retreats, aware that there is nothing she can do. And it is her fault anyway.
She slumps down in front of the office door after closing it and tucks her knees to her chest, feeling completely rotten.

.........................................................................................

Suguru's persistent glare bores into Yuki, but he doesn't waver.
'Who are you to order me around?'
'Well, firstly, I'm Shuichi's friend, so I have every bit as much right to help with this. And secondly, I'm not the huge reason he's in the Abyss, am I? So, I think, you're not going to tell me what I can and can't do.'
'Ooooo,' Ryuichi breathes, 'he's got a temper just like Yuki!'
Tatsuha smirks, 'How true.'
Yuki casts a glare back at the two, before turning back to Suguru and Hiro. Hiro watches with baited breath, fearing for Suguru and unable to walk away from it all.
'Of course,' Yuki says.
Suguru looks at him expectantly and the leader of second hell sighs.
'You're wasting valuable time. I can't be bothered to stop you following. Just remember the risk you impose on yourself doing this.'
And with that, Yuki turns his back on Suguru and begins to walk away.
'Looks like you're coming then, huh?' Tatsuha says, nudging Ryuichi along towards the elevator Yuki has just entered. 'You better hurry up, though. You'll get left behind.'
He rests his hands on his lover's shoulders and follows Yuki, guiding Ryuichi with him.
Suguru's shoulders slouch slightly, as though he has not quite registered that he has won his argument. He blinks and turns to Hiro, who in response nudges him.
'Should go, or we'll lose them.'
Suguru nods and Hiro takes his elbow, steering him down the corridor after the Angels. They follow them into the elevator at the back of the counselling building.
'So…' Ryuichi begins as the doors glide shut behind them. 'What are we going to do first?'
Yuki remains silent, frowning at the button panel next to the doors as everyone looks at him expectantly.
'Yuki?'
'I'm thinking!'
Suguru snorts. 'After all that you don't even have a pl-OW!' He stumbles backward when someone stomps down on his foot.
Ryuichi glares at him pointedly, raising Kumagorou threateningly as well.
'Right, whatever,' Suguru mutters bitterly.
Silence descends, with the exception of whirring mechanics of the elevator.
'So what are we gonna do?' Tatsuha asks tentatively, pulling Ryuichi to him, 'I mean, for one we don't even know where the Abyss is. Secondly, I doubt that, even if we did know it's whereabouts, we could just waltz in and take Shuichi.'
'You don't think I haven't thought of that?!' Yuki snaps, before he puts a hand to his mouth and bites into his index finger softly, thinking. 'No…I don't know what to do next.'
'Then maybe you really do need someone else's help!' Suguru starts.
'And you know what to do, do you?'
Suguru opens and shuts his mouth.
'Well shut up then, quit mouthing off.'
Hiro leans against the panels of the elevator and listens to the exchange, eyes closed. He frowns and bites his lip. 'Hey…' He opens his eyes to everyone looking at him.
'You have something to say?' Yuki growls.
'Well, I'm not going to say it's gonna help or anything,' Hiro stands up straight, 'but you asked Ayaka for help. Ever thought of going to someone else?'
'Un, un! Yuki! That would be a good idea, right?' Ryuichi chirps and pats Hiro on the back.
'Yeah, I mean, its not like Ayaka knows anything about the Abyss anyway,' Tatsuha agrees.
The blond leader of second hell shakes his head. 'And risk getting found out? It's best to keep this between us, if Tohma…if he finds out then what do you think will happen?' He gives them a cold look. 'No. I don't think we should.
'Besides, Ayaka is the only one I would trust with this.'
'Hmm, and how do you know she can even be trusted?' Hiro questions, stepping forward towards Yuki as the elevator jerks to a halt.
Yuki narrows his eyes.
'You're taking risks anyway, she could have been one. You may as well take more, right? Unless, Shuichi really doesn't mean anything to you.'
'You think he doesn't?'
'…You'd be willing to risk it if he did.'
The doors open with a sharp ping and the group tumble out.
Yuki rounds on Hiro as soon as they are all out in the foyer of the Angels living quarters.
'Fine then. And who do you suggest we ask?'
'Well, Ayaka suggested it herself…'
'Who? Who?' Ryuichi pleads impatiently.
Hiro rolls his eyes.
'Who?' Yuki demands.
'It's obvious,' the red head sighs, 'ask someone who's been there.'

.........................................................................................

In this place, Shuichi sees a tree. His sister is climbing, high up in the branches causing leaves to tumble down with her movements. He laughs as she struggles, still keeping a wary eye on his sister …
In this place, the pink haired boy sits, slumped over his school desk as the boy sitting opposite him on top of the wooden desk kicks at Shuichi's desk, chair and…
In this place he's locked away, in a dark room. It's not quiet. 'Come out you little fag!' BANG. He shudders and curls up, further into the darkness…
In this place, the lights are bright and they hurt his eyes.
He rubs them, as though trying to remove the remains of sleep.
Someone soft cradles him.
He wants more warmth, he turns into it, but it's no longer there.
'Hush, it's fine. My baby.'
'Kaa-san,' Shuichi croaks…
'My angel…'
In this place, the tiles are cool beneath him. He stares at the object in his hands. Its cruel blade flashes in the light as he examines it.
He claws at his wrists as wounds re-open, stinging.
The blood trickled slightly at first, only a superficial cut.
'I want to die, I want to die.'
Again, it stings this time.
Shuichi screams.
Again, again, again.
His head flops forward and hot tears spill down his cheeks.
…
'Yuki…'

.........................................................................................

'Someone who's been there?' Tatsuha is the first to speak after Hiro's declaration. 'Easier said than done.'
'It can't be that hard!' Hiro says.
Ryuichi shakes his head. 'It is. I don't know a lot about the Abyss, and I've been in Hell forever! Before you had all the fancy levels and stuff.'
'I don't know anyone who's been there,' Yuki adds.
'Well that blows that plan out of the water.'
'Heh heh!' Ryuichi raises Kumagorou, 'I agreed that it was difficult, you silly heads, but I didn't say it was impossible.'
'What do you mean Ryuichi? No stupid games, either.'
'Hmm, Yuki is impatient, no da. Kumagorou wants you to say sorry now.'
'Ryuichi, Shuichi's not got much time. And neither do I, remember?'
Ryuichi pouts.
'Oh, just tell us!' Suguru snaps.
'I don't like you much,' Ryuichi responds with narrowed eyes. 'Anyway. It's not impossible, just difficult to find ex-Abyss people thingies.'
'And?'
'Ah, patience! Yuki, you should be patient. Me and Kumagorou are thinking.'
Yuki rolls his eyes and lets out a long sigh, folding his arms to prevent himself from grabbing his friend.
'Come on, Ryu,' Tatsuha nuzzles Ryuichi's neck, 'you and Kumagorou should think quick.'
'Aaah, it's tough. I haven't seen these people in ages…'
'Ryuichi,' Yuki says tersely. His eyes narrow in warning.
'Yes! Right! Kumagorou remembers!'
'And?' Hiro asks.
'Two people.'
'Ryuichi!'
'Ah, sorry sorry. Heh. Um,' the child-like Angel taps his chin, 'I know these two, and they've definitely been to the Abyss. I saw Tohma's list no da! I don't know who'll be easier to find, but…Vay Ksu or Taki Aizawa!'
Hiro gulps. 'Vay's my counselling Angel!'
'Mmm, mmm,' Ryuichi nods, 'it's unusual for people to stick around and become Angel's after being in the Abyss, apparently. But…some do.'
'What did she do?'
'Who cares?'
'I do! She's…so…fucked up.'
Yuki glares. 'Aren't most of us?'
'So…'
'Who should we go see, Ryuichi?' the leader of second hell asks.
'Well, Vay is in Second Hell, but nasty Tohma could be there stalking you! Aizawa is erm…oh, Kumagorou, can you remember?'
The bunny's head nods and Ryuichi's face turns deadly serious.
'Aizawa works in fourth, Kumagorou says.'
'Fourth? Are you sure?'
'Yuki, Kumagorou is never wrong.'
'Well, lets go to fourth then!' Suguru claps his hands.
'That, like finding the Abyss or someone who's been there, is easier said than done, boy,' Yuki mutters. 'The leader of fourth requires to be notified of all Angel's who visit his "domain". And the leader of fourth is the biggest bastard you'll ever meet, next to Tohma.'
'Yuki…' Ryuichi bites his lip, 'Tatsuha and me can go find Taki and bring him here. That way you don't have to go!'
'No, it doesn't matter,' Yuki sighs and tilts his head back; 'there's no reason to hide from him.'
'But Yuki…'
'Besides, even if we do see him, he hates Tohma so he won't even think of saying anything.'
'But…'
'Hurry up then.' Yuki strides off.
Ryuichi hurries after Yuki, still trying to convince him not to go to fourth.
Tatsuha frowns. 'I guess neither of you know what that's about, so I won't bother asking.' Suguru and Hiro both look at him in utter confusion.

.........................................................................................

Fourth Hell is the place where those who have taken another persons life end up. It is the closest place to the Abyss in the way you are treated, with the difference that no level of hell can destroy you completely.
The small group enter the fourth hell counselling area, nothing like the building in second hell.
Rows of small, dark doors line the corridors, with tiny barred windows near the top. Fourth Hell is a prison for souls.
They reach the end of the corridor directly from the elevator and meet a rather worn looking Angel sitting at a makeshift reception desk reading a dog-eared paperback.
He looks up, his glasses smeared and askew. 'What?' he asks, in a rough voice, folding over the corner of a page in his book.
'Well,' Ryuichi grins, 'we're here for a chirpy cheerful visit.'
The Angel looks at him amazed. 'You're fuckin' crazy.'
He shoves a clipboard with an empty form on it across the desk and slaps a quill down on top of it. After a few minutes of rummaging under the desk, he removes an inkwell of green ink and uncaps it. 'Sign in.'
He picks up his book, unfolds the page's corner and goes back to reading.
Each of them sign in and within seconds, the green ink on the page glows and turns jet black as though burnt into the page.
'Ah, excuse me, mister?' Ryuichi speaks up again. 'Where could we find Taki Aizawa?'
'Huh? Why would you wanna see that guy? You really are all crazy if ya do.'
'Just tell us where he is,' Yuki snarls.
'Second floor. White door. Fifth corridor. And you'll know. It's the only white door there.'
Taki's office was very easy to find, the Angel at the desk was right. With all the dull black prison doors, the door to the Angel's office stood out a mile in a sea of metal.
Yuki knocks at the door and goes to open it without awaiting a response.
'Ah, Yuki, just remember to be nice. Taki isn't a very agreeable guy.'
'I don't care, he just better tell me what I want to know,' and Yuki pushes the door open, entering with Ryuichi while the others stand awkwardly at the door.
Taki is asleep at his desk, curled up in a ball on his desk chair and snivelling in his sleep, as though in a nightmare. His dark hair shadows his eyes.
'Oi,' Yuki says, his voice slightly raised. 'You shouldn't be sleeping when you're meant to be working.'
Taki doesn't stir.
Yuki leans over the desk and shakes him, but the counselling Angel doesn't wake.
'I'll get him up!' Ryuichi volunteers, 'Kumagorou beam!' The pink bunny hurtles through the air and smacks Taki square in the face with surprising force.
The Angel shoots awake and grips onto the arms of his chair in shock. 'What the hell?'
Yuki bends down and picks up Kumagorou to hand back to Ryuichi. 'Huh. Do you keep bricks in that toy or something.'
'Or something,' Ryuichi happily accepts the bunny.
'Who are you?' Taki demands. 'What are you doing here?'
'We're here to ask you a few questions,' Yuki says.
'Cheh, and if I don't answer them, you're gonna what?'
'I'll make you answer them.'
Taki narrows his eyes. 'Right. Well, ask me what you want to ask and I'll decide whether you'll be making me answer or not.' He leans back in his chair with a challenging look.
'Obnoxious little bastard, aren't you?'
'Yuki…'
'Whatever. I'm going to ask you about the Abyss.'
Taki becomes alert, eyes wide and body rigid. 'I don't know anything about that place,' he exclaims quickly.
'Oh, you don't? But haven't you been there?'
'No. Fuck no. What are you on?'
'Don't lie to me.'
'Taki, we only want to ask you about it. We're not going to send you there or anything.'
'I don't care, I've never been to the Abyss, so…you can leave,' he stands and walks round his desk.
Yuki grabs him by the wrist. 'Don't lie to me.'
Taki jerks away. 'Why are you asking me? I don't know! That place is fucked up!' He cries, 'I don't want to talk about it so just get lost.'
'Taki! We need to help someone get out of there!' Ryuichi attempts, trying to calm the dark haired Angel down.
'What are you crazy? You can't get anyone out of that place!'
'So you don know about it.'
'Of course I do! I spent fuck knows how long in that hole!'
'Then you can answer my questions,' Yuki grabs Taki by the shoulders.
Taki tries to get free from Yuki's grip a second time and cringes in fear as he fails. He whimpers slightly. 'What do you want to know?'

.........................................................................................

'The Abyss,' Taki begins after settling down, 'is a place that the ruler Angels use for ultimate control. It's all documented in the main library.'
'Never bothered to look,' Yuki states.
Ryuichi, Tatsuha and Suguru nod in agreement with this. Hiro leans against the doorframe in silence.
'Well I did, and that's what it's for. Shut up, ok, or I'll just go back to sleep and you can forget trying to save your friend.
'Depending on what they want from you, the Abyss can either completely destroy a soul or make it a "blank" again, so that the personality of it can be remoulded. Guess it depends how "bad" you've been.'
'And?'
'From what I can remember, the only way out is to be released by who or what put you there.'
Yuki snorts. 'That'll never happen. There must be some other way.'
'It's not documented!'
'Doesn't mean it's never happened. Who documents these things, do you think?'
'Well…er…don't you have someone to save, stop being bothered with stupid things!'
'Then tell me the last thing I need to know.'
'In the elevator, there's a small panel below the rows of buttons. It's not brass, it's silver so you'll spot it if you're looking for it. I remember when I came back from there. Remove it and press the engraved button with the A on it, I wouldn't touch anything else because I don't know what will happen.
'And some warnings, because I'm feeling nice. Don't take the red head; mere souls will perish as soon as they get near the Abyss if they're not meant to be there. I guess that might be a bit of a waste, don't you think?'
Yuki nods. 'Right.'
'It doesn't matter anyway. No matter what you do, you won't get past the guards.'
'Thank you Taki,' Ryuichi says. 'You've been very helpful, no da.'
'Just get out and don't come back again.'
They leave the small office and Taki slams the door behind them.
Yuki turns on them. 'Take the kid back to second, Ryuichi. And take the other one with you too. You and Tatsuha both go, I'll go to the Abyss myself.'
'Yuki!'
'You can't just go off by yourself on this!' Suguru snaps.
'I can and I will.'
'Someone should go with you,' Tatsuha points out.
'It's impossible.'
'It isn't. I have to get Shuichi out of there. Ryuichi, just do it.'
'Ah, I will.'
'You go first; I'll wait for the elevator to come back and then go. Don't argue with me and don't try to change my mind.'
'I wasn't going to,' Ryuichi chews on Kumagorou's ear nervously, 'but…but are you going to be ok?'
'I don't care.'
They arrive at the elevator, passing the Angel at the desk who is now playing hangman by himself. He looks up briefly as they go by, a look of boredom etched into his features.
'Go then.'
'Good luck Yuki!' Ryuichi latches onto the blond quickly, before he falls back and tugs Hiro into the elevator.
Tatsuha nods at Yuki and follows his lover.
Suguru stands fast.
Yuki glares at him. 'Go.'
'No. I'm going with you and you can't stop me, you shouldn't keep telling me what to do. I want Shuichi out of there as much as you do!'
Yuki grinds his teeth. 'Fine. Whatever. You're wasting time. Ryuichi, go. I'll …bye.' The elevator doors glide shut on them.

.........................................................................................

'Ooo, I hope Yuki will be okay! And …I guess the Suguru kid too…' Ryuichi tugs on Kumagorou's arms.
With a ping they arrive in second hell.
'Ah, Ryuichi-san, I've been looking for you.'
'T-Tohma…'
'Someone told me you were with Eiri-san,' the ArchAngel smiles blandly.
'He doesn't like that name Tohma.'
'Well, he's not with you to complain is he?' Tohma doesn't drop the politeness.
'Obviously not, no da! So I guess-'
Tohma narrows his eyes, his smile morphing into a serious frown. 'Where is Eiri-san?'

.........................................................................................

'You're too slow.'
'My legs aren't as long as yours!'
'You're holding me up.'
'Well I'm sorry!' Suguru attempts to pick up his pace to keep up with Yuki's strides.
They're following a long, narrow corridor. It winds off into what seems to be forever. Suguru looks for any sign that they're anywhere near their destination, but all he sees is peeling brown paint on wooden panels.
He sighs and picks up his pace again, having fallen behind Yuki. He bumps into the blond and stumbles backward.
'We're here.'
Suguru looks up to a wide, glowing white area, a strong contrast to the brown coloured corridor. He blinks.
Two black figures flank a black double door in the centre.
The Guards.
The entrance.
'What do we do?'
Yuki looks at him. 'I'm going in. You're waiting here.'
'But-'
'Shut up and do what I say. I'm your superior, so just listen to me!'
Suguru nods obediently.
'Stay here.'
Yuki steps into the white area and takes measured steps forward. The guards "look" up at him upon his approach and their bodies turn to each other.
Suguru watches as Yuki says something to him, unable to hear although the Leader of Second Hell is only a few feet away.
One guard nods slightly, and steps aside. One side of the doors open as it moves, as though they were connected.
Yuki steps forward without looking back.
And vanishes into the Abyss, the door closing solidly behind him.

To Be Continued…

Footnotes: Took a while for this chapter to get done and it's short, so forgive me! Maybe the next one won't take so long?
Bah, back to something more light hearted for the while =]