NOTE: The title, 'Clair de Lune,' is a song written by the composer Claude Debussy... It literally translates into 'Moonlight'

(Hello all! This is my first story here on Fanfiction, and I hope you enjoy it! It's based on the awesome manga Vampire Game and revolves around Duzell's past life, as in before Phelios killed him and he was reincarnated and blah blah blah, etc.! ;;;Okay now, let's see... ah yes, now's the time when I say that this story is entirely fictional, and it's merely a coincedence if these events reflect anything or any persons in real life! Yeah, so, on with the first part of the story then! Enjoy!)

Clair de Lune

A Vampire Game Fan-fiction

By Katie T.

Part One.

"Let go of me! Now!" I cried as they carried me away. Kicking, screaming, writhing- it didn't matter. Despite my best efforts, I could not match their strength. Though, I suppose I shouldn't have been so expectant. No average mortal could ever escape a vampire once they had you in their grasp.

Much less two vampires. However, now that I think about it, I guess I should be proud that it took two of them to haul me away; I was probably the most obdurate, hostile prey they ever had to capture.

Which brings my mind to another thought; why on earth capture me of all people? I mean, why would such proud creatures go after an everyday, plain girl such as myself? I'm a wandering, homeless girl, with no ties to royalty or anything of the kind… Why me?

Nevertheless, that didn't change the fact that I was flying countless feet in the air, being carried by two vampires of the Lord's clan. Well, at first I only suspected that they were from the Vampire Lord's clan, I didn't know for sure; but chances are they were. And, as it turns out, I would be correct. They took me to the one place where humans were forbidden to enter, due to its danger- the ebony castle of the Vampire Lord Duzell.

I knew right away where they were taking me when the dark clouds appeared. It was said that these clouds were the very essence of evil stemming from the castle itself. A shiver ran down my spine when I first laid eyes on the tallest tower of the black castle- the tower where I would eventually spend much of my time.

As the vampires lowered, descending from the dark skies, I noticed many others of their kind staring at me, most of them grinning hungrily. I swallowed, the terror slowly rising up in my throat. When we had finally landed, one vampire walked over, his long, black hair lightly wafting in the breeze.

"Who's this one for, Kai? Up for bids, I wonder?" he asked, nodding in my direction. He looked down at my helpless body, grinning, his long teeth shining in the moonlight. One of the vampires that had been carrying me shook his head.

"No, Erik, this one was specifically chosen by the Lord himself," he replied, looking down at me as well. "Though I have to wonder why he would request such a plain human girl. She's cute enough, but the Lord could definitely do better if he wanted. One of the advantages of being 'Lord,' right?" he said. The other vampire, Erik, laughed softly, nodding in agreement. He then knelt down to study me further, grabbing my chin and turning it this way and that. He examined my features for a moment before speaking again.

"There is something different about this one, though…" Erik said after he had looked me over. "She's a lot quieter than most of them. Now's the time that they usually start groveling at our feet, begging for their lives and whatnot. Why aren't you doing the same?" His question surprised me, so I took a second to carefully plan my words; one wrong move, and I would be history.

"What's the use in that?" I replied, amazed that my voice had actually sounded level. "It doesn't matter how much I beg now; that won't change your minds," I said, staring at the ground. I heard Erik laugh softly again. He then stood up, still laughing. I glanced upward at him, to see him looking back at me with an amused expression, his grin slightly angled to the left.

"I think I get it now… Duzell wants a challenge. Not some idiotic, weak princess, but a smart girl, who'll play hard to get. Heh," Erik thought aloud, still grinning at me. He flipped some of his wavy black hair back behind his shoulder, and then turned around. "I'll go and tell him that his 'guest' has arrived." After saying that, he suddenly transformed from an almost human form to a giant mass of black bats, which flew up to an open window in the tall tower. I sat there, gawking at the amazing sight, and didn't notice when another vampire abruptly pulled me through one of the tall, looming doors leading into the castle.

The entire castle was lit by the pale glow of candles, which were fastened to the walls by intricate gold candleholders. And if that didn't make the place creepy enough, then the thousands of random bats hanging from the coal- black ceilings would add to the effect. Yet, despite the eerie glow, the inside of the castle was in fact very lovely, with every walkway covered by beautiful, Victorian rugs, and striking pieces of artwork adorning the walls. It didn't surprise me that these proud creatures would have such a lavish home in this black castle, but I couldn't help gasping at everything, trying to take it all in.

After being led down numerous hallways and up winding, ebony staircases, the vampire took me to one of the rooms in the tall tower. He then directed me to sit down on the plush, deep-red sofa located near the center of the room, and to wait for Lord Duzell there.

"I don't think I have to warn you of the dangers of trying to escape a vampire fortress," he said. "Just stay there like a good little girl and behave." His job now finished, he left me alone in the room, but not without first giving me a threatening glance to add to his point.

The room he left me in was circular in shape, with high, black walls. On the wall facing the door was a set of three towering windows, with thick, dark red curtains draped over them. Countless groups of golden candles were attached to the stone walls, along with more exquisite paintings and other such adornments. One painting in particular, though, caught my eye; it has hanging directly over another red sofa across from me. I walked over to examine it further.

It depicted the bust of a slender man, wearing a black-as-night robe. Long, silver hair flowed down all around him, and he had a very handsome, albeit pale, shaven face. However, what drew me to this painting were the man's eyes, which were a deep, scarlet color; they were the color of a "freshly picked rose… Or newly spilled blood." Before I could study the painting more, though, the large, heavily decorated door suddenly opened as someone entered the room- the Vampire King, Lord Duzell.

(dun- dun- DUN! What's Duzell gonna do with our currently nameless heroine? Why did he send for her in particular? What IS her name anyway! Why does Erik seem so sexy when he laughs? ;; lol okay, maybe that's just in my mind... but! These questions and more will -hopefully- be answered in the next exciting installment of Clair de Lune! PLEASE REVIEW! I NEED CRITICISM TO IMPROVE! )