Shrouded in the cloak of darkness

sammy:I dedicate this story to my new friend, well I consider her my friend, and fellow author Dantanko. She came up with this idea first in Defeated By One Bite, which I also recommend. I just got an idea about this after reading her story. Well, not right after, it took a few nights but the idea originated from this. The same idea about Cell shall remain the same but I'm changing some things. I hope you and Dantanko like it. By the way, I came up with the title after watching my Spawn DVD's.

Blood was dripping from his victim's neck. He did his best to drink up every drop. But he wasn't satisfied. Something was missing. The thrill of the hunt no longer held any amusement or pleasure. He dropped his victim's lifeless body to the floor and walked away, wiping away the leftover droplets of blood running down the corner of his mouth. There was something else out there that he wanted. But didn't know what yet.

Freeza was sitting at his desk, trying to finish up some leftover plans. He hadn't done anything fun recently. Maybe he'd go and torture some unknown planet or mess around with his brother for an hour. (Not like that. like mess with his mind or wrestle.) He didn't know what to do. Boredom had settled in. He sighed. He decided to go for a walk. Maybe take a snack with him. Freeza looked outside the balcony window. The moon was full. Thankfully all the remaining "monkeys" had their tails removed. (Didn't want to fight with anyone how to spell the almighty race of Vegeta. Ha! Almighty. (Laughs) No disrespect meant.) The night was safe and welcoming. He rang for a servant to prepare a meal for him.

Freeza went to his favorite spot up on the hills. He lay back on the ground and looked up at the stars. He poured himself some red wine (he loves that stuff) and began to feel it slip down his throat. Not too long after he heard a scream. He stopped drinking. His glass flew up into the air from his surprise and landed upside down on his head. The wine spilled over his eyes and down his front. He stood to look over the edge to see what made that noise. He saw a man bending over a woman, doing something to her neck.

"Oh please, get a room."

The man apparently heard him. He stopped, dropped the body then turned his head towards Freeza. Freeza looked back at the girl. She was bleeding… from her neck. Freeza fell over and moved away. The man flew up and hovered over him, his eyes glowing red. That's all Freeza could see for he was silhouetted by the moon. Even the moon looked red. Maybe it was just the wine. Or maybe it was this man's presence.

"How much did you see?"

Freeza was in so much shock that he couldn't speak. The figure moved closer.

"How much did you see?"

"N… nothing. I only heard a cry. I dared not look."

The man moved right up to Freeza's eyes. They were only inches apart.

"You're lying. Your heart tells the truth. It pounds with guilt."

Freeza didn't realize his heart was beating that loud. It was pounding in his ears so he couldn't really hear much else. The man came even closer. So close that Freeza could feel his breath on his neck. He heard the man moan slightly.

"Who are you?"

He pulled back.

"You may call me Cell. And what may I call you?"

"Freeza."

Cell paused. Freeza couldn't tell if he was smiling or not. He came back closer to him.

"Freeza… such an… exotic name."

Freeza felt Cell's hands come closer to his skin. He rested them on the ground near Freeza's and bent down. He began to lick his chest. Freeza tried to get out from under him but was being held down.

"Why are you covered in wine?"

"I spilt it when I heard that scream."

"When I first saw you, I thought it was blood. It was driving me wild."

Freeza was beginning to fear him. Cell got off of him and stood a few feet away. He licked his fingers.

"Run."

"What?"
"It makes things more interesting."

"What things? What are you talking about?"
"I'm a hunter Freeza. And I've decided to hunt you. I'm giving you five minutes to run and hide."

Cell turned his back. Freeza hadn't moved. Cell didn't turn.

"Why haven't you left yet? You're only wasting your time sitting there."

"Why must you hunt me? What have I done?"

Cell lowered his head. Thinking of something to say. He turned back, leaning Freeza against a tree.

"Perhaps it's the fact that I'm interested in you. Or maybe it's your animal magnetism. Either way, I want to see how hard you are to catch."

That did it. Freeza slid past him and began to run. Cell smiled. He stared at the moon; keeping track of what little time Freeza had left.

Freeza was almost home. A few more miles and he'd be safe. What was up with that guy? Hunting. Freeza dismissed it as an insane dream. He rushed through the trees and bushes. He didn't care about the scratches he was receiving. He couldn't see the house lights yet but knew he would soon. Then it got cold. A chill went up his spine. He knew that feeling. Cell was coming. It was real. He ducked inside a cave. Panting, thinking he was safe. Hands reached out from behind him, grabbing his waist. Freeza freaked out and saw his captor.

"How did you…?"
"I have many skills. I must say that this wasn't all that invigorating."

Freeza tried to break free again. Cell kissed his neck.

"Any last words?"
"Yeah…" Freeza kicked Cell's knee. He ran off towards the house again. Cell caught up to him again and pinned him to a tree.

"That wasn't nice Freeza. Now you've made me mad."

Cell bent down and tilted Freeza's neck. Freeza couldn't move. His gaze, it was mesmerizing. He was lost it that look. Cell licked the corner of his mouth and bent over. He stopped just before making contact. Birds. What time was it? Cell looked up from Freeza and peered over to the horizon. The sky was turning a light pink and orange. Greens mixed with blues making a beautiful rainbow. It was becoming lighter. Dawn was approaching fast. Freeza saw Cell's face change into a saddened look. Cell turned back, placed his finger under Freeza's chin and tilted his head up, placing a kiss on him. He was as gentle as he could be.

"I'll be back for you. Perhaps, you'll even come to me willingly… and enjoy it."

Cell bowed to Freeza and left him. Freeza still had no idea what was going on. He shook with fear. He ended up on the floor. The sun hit his skin. He felt its warmth creeping slowly over his body. He had to get home. His father would kill him if he found out that he had been out all night. He picked himself up off the floor and flew over the gate.

Freeza crashed on his bed. Lessons would begin soon. Samantha, his maid, came into the room to wake him. He was lying on top of his covers, shivering in the cool morning air. She felt his forehead. He was warm.

"Freeza… wake up."

He didn't move. She shook him harder. Trying to get him to remain conscious.

"Freeza please wake up. Please."

Freeza shifted. He opened his eyes. The light was too bright. He put his hand over them.

"What do you want? I'm trying to sleep."

"Oh thank heavens."

Samantha grabbed onto his neck and hugged him. He could hear her whimpering. He squeezed her back.

"I was so worried when you didn't come home last night."

Freeza's body went rigid.

"Who else knows?"
"Only I do. I made sure no one entered your room."

"Close the curtains."

"Of course."

Samantha did as asked and went back over to Freeza. She kissed his cheek. He was warm all over. She placed her head to his chest.

"What are you doing?"
She didn't answer him. Something was wrong with him. His heart was racing. Samantha laid him back and placed the blanket on him. She was about to leave him to get some water when his father burst in.

"Get up. You're late for your lessons. I wont have you missing anymore classes."
"Please sir, your son is sick. He needs to rest."
"He needs to go to his lessons before I hurt him."

Samantha looked over to Freeza. He was lying there, helpless and worn out. Samantha ran a hand up the king's chest. He looked down at her. She pressed her body against his.

"Please sir. Let him rest. I fear he may have pneumonia. If you wish to take your rage out on me… you may."

The king looked down at her. Pondering what to do. He placed on hand firmly on her back. She looked up at him. It hurt her neck. He ran his fingers through her hair.

"Very well, the boy may rest. But I hold you to your word." He balled his hand into a fist, grabbing her hair and forcing her head back. "You better not go back on your word."

"I wont."

He let her go and left her and Freeza by themselves.

"What have you done Samantha?"
"Protected you. I know you're not sick but you were out all night. What were you doing?"

"Nothing."

"I know you're lying to me, but if you don't wish to tell me then fine. It just makes it harder for me to protect you."

"I don't need protection. I can take care of myself."

"I hope so. I received a letter for you. Well penmanship and design. Looks ancient."

"You read my letter?"

"No, only the cover. But it's well made."

Freeza took the letter she handed to him. He ripped the envelope open and began to read.

"Dearest Freeza, I humbly ask for you to meet me tonight at the clearing where we first met. Come alone. No tricks. I'll await you as the sunsets. Don't disappoint me. Cell."

"Someone courting you?"

Freeza looked over his shoulder. She was reading the letter. He pulled it away.

"It's known of your business."

"That's why you were so hot. You were blushing and the heat make you warm."

"Shut up. It's not like that. The thing is… you see… I met him last night. He… did something to me. I can't get him out of my mind."

"Awe. Sounds like you're in love."

"That's impossible. I only just met him."

"Love at first sight. It's not unheard of."

"There's just something about him… I just… I don't trust him."

"Give it some time Freeza, maybe you'll like him if you get to know him better. But not tonight."

"What?"
"Open your mouth."

Samantha took out a thermometer and placed it in his mouth. She was waiting for an answer. Freeza didn't feel sick. He felt fine. It beeped. She checked. He had a slight fever.

"Yep… you're not going anywhere."
"But I have to."

"Freeza, you can't. You can get worse if you go out. I'm not letting you leave."

Freeza turned away from her. She stayed by his side the whole day. Another servant brought in some food. She helped him for he was becoming weak. She let him rest and left to room for another blanket.

Many hours had passed. It was dark, a little past midnight. Freeza was still asleep. A cool chill blew into the room. The curtains blew around, casting a light blue shadow. A figure stood in the opening of the balcony. He walked inside. Cell had arrived to claim him. He went over to Freeza's bed and saw him lying there. He shook his head, thinking Freeza had ditched him on purpose. He was about to turn and leave when he heard Freeza moaning. He went back to his side and sat on the edge of the bed. He placed his palm on Freeza's forehead. He fever had gotten out of control.

"I understand now. I'm sorry for getting you into this mess."

Cell had bent over and kissed Freeza, as if trying to suck out the illness. Freeza's arms instinctively went around Cell's neck. Cell slightly smiled at this. He held Freeza's body against himself. He could feel the heat leaving his body and entering his. Cell began to sweat. He pulled away from Freeza, hearing a slight gasp. Cell covered him with the blanket, wrote down another note and left him to sleep.

Freeza awoke the next morning feeling better than ever. Samantha was at the end of his bed. He smiled at her.

"You look happy."

"I'm healthy. Why shouldn't I be happy?"

She held up the note.

"Looks like someone paid you a little visit last night."

"Let me see that."

He snatched it out of her hands. She didn't read it, invasion of privacy and all that. He read the note in his mind. She looked at him interested in what it said. The letter wasn't as good as the other one. Some of the lines had swerved a bit.

"Well… what does it say?"
"It says to meet him tonight. I'm forgiven for last night but tonight I cannot be late or absent." Freeza thought for a moment then stood up. "I have to meet him."

Samantha placed her hands on his back. He wrapped his tail around her.

"Just be careful. Take a blanket with you. Just in case."

"In case of what?"

"You may have to wait long. It'll keep you warm. I don't want you getting sick again."

"Have you paid father back yet?"
"No. He's getting restless. I'll pay him back tonight while you're out. I don't want you to hear."

Freeza held onto her. His father was a monster. He had to stop this.

"I'll be back for you. I wont let this continue."

"Before you go, eat something. Your blood count must be low. Your white blood cells work harder when you're sick so the red ones are lacking."

He just stared at her. He tilted his head slightly.

"I got into Coola's books okay. I started reading about it."

Freeza laughed at her.

"You are too much."

Night came. Freeza sat inside his blanket. The wind had picked up. Cell was late. Freeza was going to leave if he didn't show up soon. Freeza lowered his head between his legs. He heard a cough. Cell stood in front of him. Freeza tried to stand up but got caught in the blanket. Cell helped him up. His face was red. Freeza turned the other way and felt his cheeks burn. Cell took his hand and led him back to his den. Cell had to stop a few times to catch his breath or to get his vision back in check. Freeza tried looking at him but he would turn away. Freeza looked around at his surroundings, trying to make a map in his mind so he could find his way home if he had to run again. Cell fell over. Freeza didn't know what has happening but he couldn't leave him there. He grabbed him and helped him walk. Cell was weak. He could hardly move.

"Where's your house?"

Cell couldn't talk. He just pointed. It took some time, but they managed to find it. It wasn't a house at all. It was a cave, just a little distance away from a small graveyard. Freeza tried not to look frightened. Cell tried walking by himself and nearly fell over again. Freeza helped Cell into the cave and onto a bed. It had an odd shape. Not rectangular but had interesting designs. Cell laid back and clung to his bed. Freeza was about to turn away when Cell grabbed his hand.

"Don't go. I know that I'm not in the greatest of shapes right now but I don't wish to lose you again."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your fever… I absorbed it from your body. It's made me weak. I haven't fed… eaten all day. I stayed by your side for as long as I could before I had to leave. I… I just want to see your face when I awaken."

Freeza knelt down on the floor and grabbed Cell's hand. He rubbed his cheek against it.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you."

Cell motioned for Freeza to lie next to him. Freeza fell over on top of Cell, his neck near Cell's mouth. Cell became tempted. He wanted to bite him, ravish him. Anything. Cell turned his head and grit his teeth. Freeza got up and looked him in the eye. Cell didn't know what to think. Freeza couldn't help himself. He leaned over and kissed him, forcing his tongue into Cell's mouth. Cell couldn't tell if Freeza was coming to him willingly or if he was just being compassionate. He no longer cared. Cell closed his eyes and took him in. Cell became more lucid. Freeza picked up on it. He opened Cell's legs and slid between them. Cell didn't have the strength to play with Freeza but wanted him so badly. He moaned. Freeza ran his hand down Cell's front, towards his manhood. Cell opened his eyes and grabbed Freeza's hand.

"No Freeza. You mustn't."

"Why not? I want this. I want you. Please… I need this."

Cell tried to lift his hand up to Freeza's chest but couldn't make it. Freeza grabbed his hand and placed it there for him. Cell closed his eyes, trying to hear and feel Freeza's heartbeat. It was calm. It wasn't pounding like it should have been. He sighed. Freeza didn't love him. It was his spell. Cell was disappointed. He shook Freeza off and turned the other way. Freeza followed him.

"Leave me Freeza. I have no use for you."

"But Cell…"

"I said go!"

Cell had lost his temper again. Freeza didn't know what to do. So he did as he was told. He left Cell alone. Freeza sat near the cave entrance and began to cry. He didn't understand why but couldn't stop himself. The sun hit his body. Warming him. Something snapped inside. He looked up. He no longer felt the urge to cry. He turned back and saw the Cell had gone. He couldn't help but feel that he was the one to blame. He placed his head between his legs and stayed that way.

Freeza woke up back on the bed. The moon was high in the sky again. Freeza was becoming a real night owl. He looked around. Cell wasn't there. Why would he be? Freeza got up to head for home. His father must have noticed by now. Cell walked into the cave entrance. He saw Freeza lying there, in his eyes, seductively. He sat next to Freeza. Freeza couldn't look at him. He heard Cell sigh.

"I'm sorry."

"For what? You didn't do anything wrong."

"I came onto you last night. I don't even know why I did that. And I'm apologizing for it."

Cell sighed again. He looked outside.

"You are free to go."

"What?" Freeza turned to him.

"Didn't you ever wonder why you were so attracted to me? It's because I put a spell on you. I wanted you badly, but couldn't wait. I forced you to come onto me."

Freeza couldn't believe that. He covered his mouth. Cell turned back to him and held him from behind.

"I'm the one who should be sorry. If I hadn't of taken in your illness, there's no telling what I would have done to you."

Freeza forced him away. He stood up on the other side of the bed. He became distraught.

"How dare you! I thought you were different! I thought I could have been able to love again but you spit in my face instead! You can just go and die for all I care!"

His hands were balled into fists by his sides. He looked down at the floor. His teeth were clenched and his body was rigid. His tail was erect as he yelled. He would loose it if anything else happened. Cell stayed on the bed. He knew of the tension. He wouldn't cause him any more pain. Freeza ran out of the cave, leaving Cell alone.

Freeza slammed his door, letting the entire house know he had returned. Samantha was in the kitchen, located far from his room but heard it as if it was right next to her. She knew to leave him alone. His father walked into the room.

"What was that about Freeza?"

"Nothing father. I'm not in the mood for talking."

"Well you are going to answer where you were yesterday."

"I don't have to tell you anything."

"You dare go against me after everything I've done for you."

That did it. Freeza snapped. He directed his anger towards his father.

"GET OUT OF MY ROOM! YOU'VE DONE NOTHING FOR ME! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

Freeza started to pant after his little scream. His father was shocked at his son. He did nothing but stare. He was startled. When his father didn't move, he grabbed his pillows and began to throw them at him. King Cold blocked the pillows. Freeza looked for something harder. He threw anything near him. King Cold got the hint and left him alone. Freeza ran to the door and locked it. He ran back over to the balcony and locked that one as well. He ran over to his bed and collapsed on it. He couldn't stop crying. Samantha entered the room; she had the only key to his room. She tried to calm him down. He told her the same thing, to get out and never bother him again. She continued to talk to him. He finally turned around and hit her. The first time he ever struck her. Freeza looked at his hand.

"Samantha… I'm… I'm so sorry."
She raised her hand. She didn't show any emotion. She stood up and left him alone. She locked the door as she left. Freeza went back to his crying.

Hours had passed. The night air was cold. Freeza was lying on his bed, unconscious. Cell was at his window, looking in to make sure he was all right. He pressed his hand to the glass. It was cold. He shouldn't have tricked Freeza like that. He'd never get him back now. He felt tears flow down his cheeks, something that hadn't happened in years. He turned away, getting one last look at Freeza and flew off into the night.

Freeza woke up the next day. He stretched, feeling better. His heart still hurt but he felt better. He walked out onto the balcony, drinking in the sun. He went to go get some breakfast. Samantha and the others remained silent. He knew it was because of him. It wouldn't take too long before Samantha would go back to being her old self and talking to him again. He enjoyed his meal then left for the gardens. He lay under a cherry tree, losing himself in a dream.

Blood was dripping from his victim's neck. He did his best to drink up every drop. But he wasn't satisfied. Something was missing. The thrill of the hunt no longer held any amusement or pleasure. He dropped his victim's lifeless body to the floor and walked away, wiping away the leftover droplets of blood running down the corner of his mouth. There was something else out there that he wanted. But couldn't have it. It was his punishment for forcing the one he loved into submission. Every night, he would feel the cold of the night that never bothered him until that night that everything went wrong. He would never forget nor love again. He would stand by a tree, looking at a house not too far into the distance.

(Alternate ending coming soon. Please review.)

saber: if you want me to post the alternate ending...I want some KakaNaru fanfics