A Shadow in the Light

Disclaimer:
I do not own Monster Rancher. Yaoi, this chapter contains hints of
rape and abuse.

Day
of Changes

Genki
sighed to himself as the group started out on their journey once
more. The group... less one, of course. The boy wished that Hare
had agreed to join them again, but... obviously he didn't. Genki
glanced back, startled to find that he couldn't see the bunny eared
youth following them as he had done the day before. ~Maybe he's gone
back to Moo.~

Genki
swung his rollarblades over his shoulder as he trudged along the
path. 'What's wrong, Genki?' Holly asked, stepping up to pace
alongside of him. 'I just don't understand. Hare is our friend,
doesn't anyone care about him?' Genki whispered, glancing around at
the others who were silent. 'No,' Tiger growled, eyes focused in
front of him. The boy nearly hit the wolf monster for such a remark,
but Holly's hand on his arm stopped him.

'It's
not that simple, Genki. Hare is... a forbidden,' the girl looked
uncomfortable with even mentioning the fact. 'I don't care... and
neither should any of you,' the boy insisted impatiently. 'You don't
know anything, kid,' Suezo remarked, hopping along behind them. 'I
hate people telling me that! I may be from another world, but that
doesn't mean I'm totally dense,' the youth shot back. 'Genki... the
forbidden are... wrong. Monsters were created to help humans. There
is no way a monster and a human can find happiness together. And
having a child together is just...' Holly trailed off. 'It's sick,
just plain sick!' Suezo continued.

'Why
can't a monster and a human fall in love? Monsters can love the same
as humans can, so why is it so wrong? If they love each other and
have a child, then it should be a good thing,' Genki replied. 'A
human and a monster can never be happy together, Genki. It is
against our beliefs,' Tiger suddenly spoke up. 'I don't care if it
goes against your beliefs! Love isn't a bad thing. Your people are
just... just scared. You can't put limits on love,' the boy
announced.

'Genki
is... right,' the slow deep voice of Golem's agreement caused
everyone to stare at him in shock. 'What do you mean, he's right?!
Monsters and humans together like that is just sick! Why are you
agreeing with him?!' Suezo yelled, bouncing in one spot angerly.
'Love is... beautiful. Without bounds,' Golem replied in his easy
manner.

'My
parents wouldn't even talk about the forbidden ones. It was
considered taboo in our village to even mention them. I remember...
I saw one once. And I didn't understand why everyone hated them at
the time,' Holly's voice rose above the group. 'Holly,' Suezo
whispered in a pained voice. 'She seemed so nice. She looked like
an ordinary human girl would, except for the pixie-wings on her back
and the horns on her head. I thought she was a pixie at first, until
my father saw her and chased her away. I tried to stop him, but he
just took me aside and finally explained to me about the forbidden.
I was only a child then, so I didn't really understand. But, now I
do. It is impossible for a monster and a human to feel that kind of
love. It's wrong. Monsters love monsters and humans love humans,
they can never be happy with such a forbidden passion,' Holly
whispered. 'It isn't about passion, Holly. It's love. You just
don't understand,' Genki replied, stomping away from her to take the
lead. ~Oh Genki.~ Holly just watched him pretend to ignore them
all, still angry with them. The group continued to walk along in
silence after that.

~*~

~Hm...
Genki isn't going to give up. Strange boy.~ Hare shook his head,
clearing himself of the lingering feelings of friendship towards the
child. It wouldn't do to keep thinking of him as a friend, even if
he did stand up for the forbidden. Feelings only get in the way.
The heart must be as cold as stone and ice, for revenge was a dish
best served cold...

~*~

(meanwhile,
far across the land)

'Master
Moo. The bunny has been revealed to the group,' a dino announced,
bowing low to his master. 'I see. My little pet has been
discovered. And what have they done about it?' the giant pink haired
monster asked. 'N-nothing, my lord,' the dino stuttered. 'Nothing?'
Moo rose from the throne and glared down at his servant who kept his
eyes glued on the ground.

'No,
my lord. The child, Genki, will not let them attack the hare.
He's... he still believes him to be a friend. The hare has been
following and spying on them and they have not done a thing to stop
him,' the dino croaked out. 'Hmmm... Very well then. I shall let
him continue this game. You may go,' Moo growled, turning away. The
dino bowed lower, and hastily retreated, the large doors sliding shut
behind him.

Deep
blue eyes watched from the shadows of the throne as Moo paced towards
the window, flinging it open. 'My little pet. Such a foolish
creature. He will do anything I say as long as he believes that
following me will lead to his own revenge. Such a fierce spirit,
perhaps one day...' Moo trailed off, turning slightly to look at the
shadowed figure.

'Yes,
one day. Until then, I will keep you, my little pixie. After all, I
am the only one who can see the beauty of such a forbidden form,' Moo
whispered, walking towards the person kneeling beside his throne.
One gloved hand trailed down to grasp the youth's chin, turning the
creature's face up into the light.

Violet
hair flowed over the boy's shoulders, dark blue eyes slipping closed
in defeat. Moo simply smirked, bringing the soft pliant mouth
harshly up against his own. The sunlight danced over exotic brown
skin, catching on the pixie blue wings and tail that drooped on the
ground, glinting on the silver chain attached to a thin, but strong,
collar that trapped the youth to the throne. Moo revised his captive
and turned away, thoughts already switched to the defiant rabbit
eared boy. After all, the forbidden child's passion for revenge
could be twisted into something more... enjoyable. Of course, it
wouldn't be any fun if the youth came to him willingly.

...tbc...

Author's
Note: Good so far? I'll have the next chapter up soon. Yes, Moo is
a bastard in this one. Can you guess who he has with him? I started
out with a Tiger x Hare idea, but now Hare x Pix seems to be slipping
into the future. Please review!