A/N: This is the first chapter of the sequel to "Returning to Steve Leonard".

Disclaimer: This is FANfiction. It's pretty obvious that I don't own anything. I don't.

Staying to Steve Leonard

Prologue


Three weeks later

Steve closed his eyes. He didn't want to have to deal with this. But, to be honest, he'd rather deal with this every day the rest of his life before losing her completely. He felt small. This was ironic really, since he started acting the way he did and became a vampaneeze to avoid feeling small. But he had never expected this. Any of this.

But it didn't matter. After all, it was better to feel small to get Belle to feel better than feeling small because his supposedly best friend stole his dream, as was his reason to feel small before.

Steve took a deep breath, before loosening up his fist and opening his eyes. Then again, if Belle's new friend hadn't been there… Steve shuddered. He didn't want to think about it. If Acheron hadn't been there, Belle would have been dead. And on her own accord. Steve could never forget it. Never ever forget the day Belle had tricked one of his vampaneezes to come to her, to drink her close to dry and then leave her to die. Steve could barely live with himself after that.

But he shoved those thoughts away. He had important things to attend.

It wasn't so long after that Steve was on his way to the edge of the forest. The forest was dead in the typical autumn way. Steve was glad to get away from the Cirque. He felt as though he couldn't as much as breath there without someone glaring at him.

While waiting for Belle to get better everyone had decided that it was for the best that Steve moved in with the Cirque, though few liked it most approved of it.

Steve started walking faster. Once he was there, he growled. Fifteen-twenty vampaneezes had come together this time. The last time there had only been about ten of them. Steve smiled. It was a sadistic and mad smile, but a smile nevertheless.

One of the vampaneezes stepped forward. His name was Gladitorh, and everyone feared him, more or less since his name was so close to Gladiator. And the man lived up to his name, that was for sure. It was said that he never had lost a fight. That was impressive, Steve would admit that much. But that didn't make him unbeatable.

These fights was all about fighting skills and nerves. They were made in case the vampaneezes would need to change lord. Apparently the vampaneezes thought they needed to do so now, and had therefore started challenging Steve. The winner would either keep his position as lord, or find himself a new crowned vampaneeze lord.

The two vampaneezes would fight with their hands only, no weapons allowed. The fight was either until one of the contestants called to surrender, or until one was so unfortunate and die. Steve was pretty content. After a month of having these fights, he had only actually had to kill three vampaneezes. And he was still vampaneeze lord. That was good.

Gladitorh stepped all the way forward. He now stood straight before Steve. Steve smirked as he noticed that all the other vampaneezes had stepped back and given them space. The oldest of the vampaneezes announced the start of the game. Less that a second later Steve had Gladitorh pinned to the ground. Steve had him in his special grasp, one that would allow Steve to break Gladitroh's hand if he moved as much as an inch.

Both vampaneezes were completely still in a couple of seconds. Then Gladitorh moved just a millimeter, and his hand gave away with a sickening snap. Steve looked at his rival, expecting him to beg for surrender. Steve barely had time to notice the smirk on the vampaneezes face, before he felt himself flying a couple of feet.

Even if the fall itself actually took less than a half second, time flew by slowly for Steve, and the short while felt like an eternity. As he finally landed, Steve easily felt the sharp stone dig its way into the side of his head. But he got up quickly, delighted at the surprise and obvious terror at Gladitorh's face, before he got his mask back on again.

Steve felt what he believed was blood run down his neck, his face and over his body. He wasn't able to see himself, but he was well aware at the fact that he looked like a mess. Steve took the surprise Gladitorh was displaying, and used it for all it was worth. He ran straight at his opponent, and took a painful grip around his neck. He was only seconds away from breaking Gladitorhs neck when a velvet voice stopped him.

"Is there something wrong with you?" Belle's voice was strong and demeaning. One of the vampaneezes answered her. "What do you mean?" It was clear that the vampaneeze was offended by the fact that she disapproved of what vampaneezes looked on as their religion. Belle kept her face emotionless and cold.

Steve let go of Gladitorh, sensing trouble. He walked a few steps against Belle, trying to catch her attention by looking in her eyes. "I mean," she said, obviously mocking the vampaneeze. "is there a reason that explains this stupidity?" Steve could see it all falling apart for his inner eye.

The vampaneezes eyes light up in rage. "Be careful with what you say, bitch!" Belle just laughed. He growled deep in his throat, before going after her. A blue, stirring snake of electricity coming pointedly from Belle's stopped him after a few feet. The vampaneeze shook almost a minute, before Belle let him go, and he fell to the ground.

"I don't hold my tongue for anyone, dear. Especially not for you." The vampaneeze smelled brunt, and he was laying down, breathing hard, but to Steve's relief he was still alive. Steve quickly went after Belle. There was no telling where she would go. After all, she was still very unstable.


A/N: Hi, I'm sorry for not posting before. But now it's here, the sequel! If anyone has an idea for a better name I'd love to hear it, since this name is pretty bad.