Love Like Death Chapter 1: The Immortal Banquet, a fruits basket fanfic

This story is dedicated to my dearest friend, A Soulless Poet. Thank you for your wonderful stories, and steadfast companionship. I don't know what I would do without either. And…although I lied…and there is "glowing," at least there is no dumb crap like sparkles. You…will understand…and hopefully forgive me. Long live the wingless bats, my friend, may they ever reign in terror.

And a special and heartfelt thanks to my constant supplier of inspiration and crack (fics), Kon13, who is behind the inspiration of this story. Own it, love. This one is for you too.

Another night. Darkness. Shunned from the light. Cast out. Forced into solitude with his own kind. The cursed. Depraved. The soulless. They were all…without souls. All of them. And he was no exception. Staring into the mirror and gazing at his own reflection, a slight twitch of a smile graced the corner of his lips. Another myth…dispelled. One of many. But…there was one awful truth. One.

"Not having one of those nights again, are you?" A gentle voice pulled his gaze from the mirror as he looked to the person standing next to him…if a person was what you could really call him.

"Come on, Yuki…we've been over this." And Yuki took in the placid expression of the man standing next to him…remaining silent in anticipation of a conversation they had all too often. "You can't kill yourself." His tone came eerily calm and even for the topic of conversation, his expression remaining void. "I mean…you literally can't kill yourself. It's a physical impossibly. So just get over the dream man. Let it die."

"…are you done lecturing me, Haru?" Yuki murmured.

"…are you done wanting to end your life?" Haru quipped, and at those words Yuki let out a bitter chortle of laughter.

"…life. Right. You have a really sick sense of humor, Haru."

"And you have an unhealthy obsession with death, Yuki." And he couldn't avoid the automatic eye roll in Haru's general direction.

"…I'm dead, Haru. What do you expect me to focus on?" Yuki retorted, and Haru's expression simply remained calm and composed.

"The politically correct term is undead…" Haru corrected him as Yuki's expression crumpled into a pathetic scowl.

"Whatever…" Yuki muttered.

"Well…right now we have a job to do." Haru stated, completely unfazed by Yuki's affect as he began walking away. "You can figure out ways to kill yourself later." And Yuki simply followed him, completely defeated.

"Haru…" Yuki whispered as they walked down the corridor, the sound of energetic club music growing louder as they approached their destination.

"Yeah…" Haru turned around, taking in Yuki's expression…somehow always knowing exactly when to take Yuki completely seriously.

"…do…I really have to do this tonight?" His voice trailed off weakly, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Haru's stare came calm and steady as he walked back to where Yuki stood. Yuki closed his eyes as Haru paused, only inches away from him…and Yuki just waited. He knew Haru better than anyone else. Haru always gave him the truth, whether it was what he needed to hear or not. He never spared him…even if it might hurt…which had earned him Yuki's respect and admiration. Cool fingertips caressed tenderly through his hair and along his cheek, gliding their way down his jaw to rest on his chin. As they lovingly coaxed his head up, Yuki finally opened his eyes, his lavender gaze penetrated by a calm steely set of eyes.

"You know that you're the best at this, Yuki, which makes us depend on you. We need you." And with those few words spoken, Haru gently wrapped himself around Yuki as a sigh of defeat and resignation passed through Yuki's lips.

"That's disgusting! Get a room you two!" An angry voice spat, and in a blur Haru disconnected himself from Yuki as the back of his hand made violent contact with the new arrival, nearly sending them to the opposite wall.

"…oh…" Haru's expression looked mildly surprised as his tone came calm and even. "I'm so sorry." He continued, his demeanor remaining stoic. "I was aiming for your face and your ass got in the way…my apologies."

"You're a real bastard, you know that, Haru?" A pair of crimson eyes glared up at him as the new arrival picked themselves up off the floor rubbing the cheek Haru had assaulted.

"Only to you, Kyo…" Haru retorted flatly, turning his attention back to Yuki. "Come on…we don't have much time." And as the two left in silence a small smile played on the corner of Yuki's lips at the irony of Haru's words…all they had was time…an eternity, to be exact.

"There's something I need to tell you…" Haru whispered into Yuki's ear as he wrapped his arm around Yuki's waist, drawing him into his side as the two walked in tandem. "I didn't want to tell you because I thought you had enough stress…but…you need to know." And Yuki gave Haru a cautious side glance.

"What is it…" Yuki murmured.

"Well…I found out…that he's going to be here tonight." Haru's words came in a low hush, remaining composed and steady in an effort to calm the man next to him.

"Why?" Yuki asked, his voice coming out as a whimper.

"I don't know." Haru answered honestly. "But this doesn't change what we need to do tonight. I…just didn't want you to lose your focus. Just in case you saw him." And Yuki gave a weak nod…at least he had some warning.

They entered the large dance area, separating themselves in order to freely move through the crowd as they made their way to the stage. The black lights set their unusually pale skin aglow as they began to attract the attention of the people dancing in the club. Yuki had grown accustom to the stares and distant admiration. But…no one ever came very close. They all seemed to sense that he was…different. Though he certainly had ways around that when he needed…it.

As he continued to gracefully move through the mass of human flesh, smells and aromas began to infiltrate his senses. Perfume, cologne, sweat, and…what he really wanted…just beneath the surface, calling to him. What his body cried out and ached for. A slow burn he had worked to suppress as long as possible. But it was always there. As he continued moving through the crowd, his senses detected something completely mouthwatering. Overwhelmingly irresistible. Strawberries. As his gaze turned to its source he caught sight of a young woman peering directly at him. Not entirely unusual…but…this particular woman didn't seem to quite belong. A shy little wallflower in a sea of reckless abandon.

When she saw his gaze meet hers, she immediately became visibly self-conscious and averted her gaze away from him, causing a small smile to grace his lips. Unable to stop himself, feeling pulled towards her, Yuki crossed the distance to where she was. As her eyes went back up into the crowd she nearly jumped out of her skin, his approach having gone completely unnoticed. A light chuckle passed his lips as she gave an adorably nervous smile.

"Sorry to have frightened you…Miss…" His voice came inviting, immediately soothing her shock as she slowly caught on to his request.

"Honda. Tohru Honda." She smiled sweetly at him, seemingly unperturbed by his unusual appearance…clearly she was less perceptive than most.

"Are you having a good time, Miss Honda?" He asked her cordially, indulging in something he wasn't really allowed to have…human interaction.

"Oh yes!" She sang out, her tone and expression obliviously happy…causing attractive chime like laughter to pass through Yuki's lips.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." He whispered, his voice barely coming above the music swirling around them.

Without even thinking Yuki reached for her hand, his swift movements startling her once again as an apologetic smile graced his lips. Taking her hand in his he slowly raised it, grazing his cool lips against the warm, supple surface of the top of her hand in a kiss. He listened as her breathing came in short gasps, her body becoming helplessly still as she made no move at all. She simply couldn't. And he knew it. Feeling the ache deep inside him he slowly turned her hand palm up, caressing his lips and nose against the flesh of her wrist…so close. He could smell it. Irresistible. Feeling himself lose the fight of self-control, Yuki's lips parted slightly, still lingering against her skin.

"Yuki!" A voice shouted out above the music, causing his head to snap up as he dropped her hand, a small gasp escaping Tohru's lips. "What are you doing?" Haru questioned, taking in the sight of the disheveled girl standing next to him. "It's time, we have to get started…" Yuki finally moved away from the young woman without a word, feeling her eyes linger on him as they made their way to the stage together.

"What in the hell was that, Yuki?" Haru hissed in his ear.

"I…don't know." Yuki murmured. "She smelled so good…and…I just went over to say hello…"

"They all smell good, Yuki!" Haru snapped, this level of exasperation rare for him. "But you know the rules! We don't talk to them! Ever!" He spat.

"I know that." Yuki conceded. "I just don't know what got into me…"

"You've gone too long… You're starving. That's why we need to do this now. Before you do something really stupid, Yuki." And Haru halted Yuki at the base of the steps leading up to the stage, holding his arms in a tight grip. "Get your head together. We're counting on you, Yuki…" Haru whispered, his demeanor turning soft and gentle as he finally placed a cool hand to Yuki's cheek. "Don't fuck this up." And with that Haru left Yuki where he stood as he ascended the stage.

Walking up the stairs himself, Yuki was immediately assisted by…the others…as they donned a head set and did brief, discrete mic checks. Nodding a sign that all was in order, the music finally cued up, and Yuki began his work…as the siren leading the room to slaughter. All eyes were on him as he began to slowly sway to the energetic music presented to him. They watched in awe at his grace and beauty under the black light…and soon…they listened as his voice came velvet and hypnotic.

You were never young, my love
I can tell, not by the way that you smell
But by the way you move your tongue, my love

He began to move along the stage and…as he moved…so did everyone else in the club. Like marionettes, they all helplessly danced for him…as he sang for them. When he moved, they moved…and he felt each and every one of them. Around him. Inside of him. Connected to him. It had always been this way. He had always been this way. It was his fate, and the others used that to their own advantage.

Somebody shake me
What can I do?

Yuki continued to sing as his gaze drifted through crowd. All of them so helplessly oblivious to what was really happening. He had never wanted this. Any of this. But…in the end…wanting had nothing to do with it. He needed it. They all…needed it. And as he sang the next words, his eyes fell on the one who had lured him. Who had brought him so close to ruin…without even knowing it. His own siren. Her.

Am I in love with The Night? Am I in love with you?

Will you take what I've got?
Will we die on the spot?
Too soon to say
What's your name, anyway?

And as he sang those words a smile graced his lips. He already knew the name of his angel. And he continued to dance, watching her watch him as the whole room swayed in unison to Yuki's call.

Tohru swayed in the sea of people…feeling a sense of euphoria she had never experienced before. She had always been happy…but…this was different. Intoxicating. As if…in this very moment…she could experience anything, anything at all, and it wouldn't matter. Nothing mattered. Feeling her heart beat in time with the music, a smile spread across her lips…this rapture all consuming. But as cold fingers trailed their way down the length of her arms a dull ache entered her body, and a sensual voice cooed in her ear from behind her.

"Hello, Tohru…" And she let out a small gasp at this greeting as the hands wrapped around her waist and the body swayed with her in time with the music.

"…how…" Her voice caught in her throat. "How do you know my name?" She whispered, her voice coming weak.

"It's not just your name that I know, my dear…" The voice whispered back to her as she felt lips gently graze the nape of her neck, and the hands wrapped around her waist gently encircled her wrists to extend her arms as the music continued. "I know…that you are afraid." The voice cooed as a shiver worked through her body. "But you have nothing to fear. Just dance with me…" And suddenly one of her wrists was released and she was slowly spun to face the person before her as the music continued to infiltrate her consciousness.

When you came into focus
How could I... how could I pretend I didn't notice?
An incision when you looked back
You gave me tunnel vision right through the pack
Will you take what I've got?
Will we die on the spot?
Too soon to say
What's your name, anyway?

Tohru let out a small gasp as she took in the sight of the man holding onto her wrist. So painfully beautiful that she averted her gaze, a slow blush working its way across her cheeks. As he gently pulled her close to him, she continued to feel that slow ache radiating through her body. Finally gazing into his face, she noticed that the black light set his skin in a strange glow that contrasted the shock of black hair tracing his features…only making him more beautiful to look upon. A cherub smile graced his lips as they began to dance to the music, breaking free from the movements of the crowd as he guided her along the dance floor.

The euphoria she had felt was gone. Replaced by something else. A level of fear. But…was she in danger? The angelic being just continued to gaze into her eyes, seeming to sense every emotion with a level of calm amusement as he commanded her body's every movement. Her heart skipped a beat as he dipped her low, her center of gravity shifting as his hand slid to her lower back to support her. Beginning to tremble in his hold, Tohru let out a small gasp as she felt the same cold lips graze her exposed collarbone. Squeezing her eyes shut, fearing the complete lack of control of her own body, Tohru listened to the music desperately trying to find the elation she had felt before.

Yuki watched the display helplessly as the crowd of puppets continued to dance. He had to act quickly…his siren was in danger. But was that such a bad thing? Might it be better if she were to simply…go away? He still remembered how she made him feel. So…helpless. Unable to control his basic need. And he conceded that her fate would probably be the same whether she was in his arms or Yuki's own. Then…why? Why did he feel so conflicted? Feel the need to rescue her…from him.

As the compulsion finally won out Yuki stepped off the stage, the crowd following suit as they backed away leaving the two dancers isolated on the floor. Yuki simply stared at them as Haru's voice took over the siren song.

I crossed the party line
And lost it just to find it
All the people fall upon the beat and get behind it
I want you to myself
Can we take this somewhere else?
My heart's an open book and you just took it off the shelf

Yuki extended his hand tentatively, wrapping his slender fingers around Tohru's wrist as she felt the sudden pain of being pulled by two forces. With a gentle tug, she was released from the angels grasp as she felt the ach in her body dissipate. Staring into the violet eyes of her new captor she felt his hands glide around her waist as they spun away and the dance floor filled with people once more. Yuki continued to sing and…as she listened…Tohru felt the same sense of euphoria wash over her as they danced towards the stage. Guiding her up the stairs and onto the stage Yuki took in the concerned expression on Haru's face. He knew exactly what Haru was thinking. And Yuki smiled at the question written all over his friend's face. No…he had no clue what he was doing. And, yes, he knew he would probably pay for it later somehow. But right now he didn't care. He had captured the prize.

You make me... make moves
I see you... you know I see you
I break through... to get to you
It's so true... it's so true
I see you... you know that I see you
And you know that it don't cost a thing
For us to see this through [to see this true]
I see you see you [I see you uh-uh uoh-oh)
You know that I see you [I see, I see you]
And you know that it don't cost a thing for as to see this through.

As the music came to an end, in a stunning display of grace, Yuki dropped to one knee in genuflection and submission as his gaze finally trailed up to look at him…the entire room following suit as if in a trance.

"I heard we would be honored by your presence tonight." Yuki's voice came just above a whisper, but he knew it would be heard anyway as he continued. "They are ready for you…" And as he took in the placid expression of the one standing above the sea of people his fingers gently wrapped around the wrist of the one kneeling beside him. "But…this one is mine." This statement coming more as a desperate plea than a declaration as Yuki hoped that he would be satisfied with this gesture…and a small smile finally graced the pale lips of the one Yuki had addressed.

"Very well…" The airy voice came in concession as Yuki bowed his head once more.

"Thank you, Akito." He whispered before standing, gently lifting Tohru by the wrist and leading her off the stage into one of the various dark corridors.

As they moved down the corridor of the back stage, Yuki picked up speed, practically dragging Tohru helplessly behind him. He needed to distance himself. To get away…before Akito changed his mind. It was no longer safe here. It would begin soon. Very soon. 'The Immortal Banquet,' as Akito affectionately called it. Quickening his pace, Yuki became keenly aware that they were being followed.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" A low hiss came from behind him as he continued to push forward through the winding halls of the club.

"Not now, Haru." Yuki retorted as they finally approached the exit, and Yuki pushed the door open releasing the young woman into the night.

"Go." Yuki commanded her, and Tohru gave him a confused look as her mind finally began to clear from the daze she had been in. "Turn around and don't look back. Just leave. Now." His voice came more soothing, and all Tohru could do was give a small nod as she walked away into the night wondering what exactly had just happened.

"You know you'll pay dearly if he ever finds out…" Haru whispered as they both watched the young woman walk away.

"Then it's best he doesn't find out…" Yuki quipped.

"This will probably end very badly…for all of us." Haru mused, and Yuki's expression fell slightly as he realized the type of trouble he had just brought upon his closest friend.

"Yeah…probably." He finally conceded.

"Come on…let's go back in. It's already started without us." And as Haru turned to go back into the club Yuki could hear the beginnings of screams filling the dance hall.

A/N: The lyrics featured in this chapter are from the song "I See You" by Jutty Ranx. Again, many thanks to my supplier…you know who you are.