Candlelight Serenade Chapter 1: Red and Green Oceans, a blood+ fanfic

a/n: Okay… this is my second story for Blood+. I consider this as a part two of Candlelight Slumber. By the way, I made a mistake on Haji's age in Candlelight Slumber. He is supposed to be twelve not thirteen. Anyway, I hope you will get a good read with chapter one. Enjoy! :3

disclaimer: I do not own Blood+ or any of its characters.

Setting: Just like on Candlelight Slumber, the events that will occur are set on the 1800's. Five years has passed. So, that makes Haji 17 years old.

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Chapter 1: Red and Green Oceans

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The soft sunlight mixed with the deep shades of the forest's hue made a scene of extraordinary romance. The trees rustled and sang with the playful wind, singing and humming a tune of tranquility. The plush sea of green emitted an aura of freshness. An ocean of red rose bushes highlighted the romance around the forest. Petals swirled and danced as the breeze rushed.

Saya perched behind the rose bushes with Haji beside her as they spied on two house servants. She puckered her lips and eagerly waited for a scene development. She grabbed Haji's sleeve as a wave of giggles washed over her.

Paul, the man servant, wistfully held a deep red rose. His eyes fixed at the beautiful Marianne with her brown hair playing and dancing with the mischievous zephyr. He opened his mouth and felt breathless. "Marianne," he quietly began. "I-I am a poor man. I do not have my own land or my own house. I have no riches or wealth. All I have to give you is this poor man's heart."

Marianne listened to his words of love with a small smile painted on her lips. Her long slender fingers touched the rose's smooth petals. She held Paul's hand and smelled the rose's irresistible aroma. "I am yours, Paul," she smoothly said. Her fingers explored his face before nestling her lips against his.

That was magical, Saya thought. She watched the two lovers with her face reddening in fascination, amazement and curiosity. Her lips suddenly felt cool as she continued to view that magical scene. She looked to her side and stared at Haji, who seemed to be still fixed at what he had witnessed. Saya sighed as she examined Haji's teenage stature. "Don't grow up too fast, Haji," she whispered to him with a pout. She knelt down and crawled her way to another corner of the forest. Haji followed behind her, looking perplexed rather than looking stoic.

Haji, seeing that they were now near the stream, where the sky seemed to be a mere reflection of the water, stood and dusted his hands. He dropped his gaze and noticed the sad expression Saya had as she sat with her puffy, pink skirt in disarray. "Did you not like what you witnessed between Paul and Marianne?" he sat right down beside her and listened to her silence. Her quietness sounded like a bee buzzing and buzzing, looking for nectar. "Paul seemed quite nervous, don't you think?"

"Stop growing already, Haji!" she clenched her hands and crumpled her skirt. She bit her lip, avoiding his gentle stare. She bent her knees and embraced them in her arms. She nestled her head in her embrace as tears began to slide down to her chin. "I don't understand. It's been only five years and yet you're taller than me. It's unfair!"

Instantly, Haji gave her a loud chuckle as a reply. "It's only natural, Saya."

"No, it's not! I wish you were twelve again. I had fun picking on you," she crossly said.

Joel had been looking for Saya. He took a deep breath after finally seeing her and Haji sitting by the stream. He smiled and slowly approached the two. His eyes glimmered with the golden sunlight splashing across his face. "There you are, Saya," he happily said. He stretched out his hand and felt Saya's fingers wrap around his palm. With all his strength, he lifted her up and straightened her skirt. "It's time for your medicine, dear." He nodded his head towards Haji with his eyes smiling. "Haji, please do get Saya's medicine. I do not want her to get weak or sick again."

The clattering of glass against metal took Saya's attention. The smell of that thick, crimson drink disrupted her sense of smell, making its mark in her stomach, calling for her thirst. She turned towards the right, only to find a blinding crown of golden-white strands. She dropped her gaze, clashing with the most remarkable glassy-green orbs with a mixture of gray. She felt drawn to those eyes.

Haji instantly felt Saya's sudden attraction for the young man, who was coming towards them. Although usually expressionless, he felt the urge to frown at Saya's infatuation and glare at the cause of it. He looked at his rival's stature with his black overcoat and trousers.

"Joel, no need for Haji to fetch Saya's medicine, I already have it," this new comer uttered it all with a very dazzling smile on. He whisked the glass off the tray and neatly presented it to Saya. "Enjoy your drink, milady." He flashed another dazzling smile and even gave Saya a wink.

Saya held the glass in her hand and quickly drank all the contents down. Once done drinking, she turned her attention to Joel. "Joel, who is this boy?"

That innocent question had made Haji's heart skip one beat. Only five years ago Saya asked the same query. But this time, the question did not refer to him.

Joel placed his palm over the visitor's shoulder. "He is my friend's son. He will be staying with us for a while."

"Hello Saya. I am Marcus." With one swift move of his hand, he held Saya's fingers and laid on them a kiss. He raised his vicious glass-green eyes with an effervescent grin across his handsome face. "I hope to get quite acquainted with you."

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END of chapter

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a/n: A little fun fact, I based Marcus' features on Solomon Goldsmith's. So just imagine that Marcus is Solomon. :3