The Waterfall
As he walked under the moonlight, inside of the ancient forest which preceded his time on earth, he could hear the low-voiced spirits as they passed through the leaves of the enormous trees and whispered their owns secrets about the existence of the world that he lived upon…
With the moon casting silver and grey shadows and the essences of the flowers filling the atmosphere with their intoxicating aromas, the forest held a strange tranquility, for this period of time. Because that was a time of war and fire, a time of screams that haunted the night with images of death…and even though the battlefields, where the vampire race was trying to exterminate its own kind, were not that far away but at the borders of that country, the nature here gave no evidence of the war affairs that where taking place. He had the impression that he was miles away from where he really should be at this time of the night. Indeed. He should be there fighting, but why?
The answer to the question is now easily provided as Kuran Kaname was the long established King of the vampire race. There have been centuries since he managed to create the anti-vampire weapons and to point them against the purebloods who wished to dominate the human race. It was then when the true war actually started and not ended, as you might had thought so in the first place.
He had managed to protect humans so far and he was continuing doing it with all costs and means as a tragic mistake on his part had cost him further implications than what he could have guessed. Not only did he took the blame for that fault, continuing to fight and to defend but he also found a meaning in this, a purpose to exist and to constantly breath within the centuries…He had managed to maintain his position on the top of the pyramid taking down uncountable enemies, he had managed to be a leader and to lead his supporters in victories. He had managed to remain untouchable, yet he had also managed to remain alone…
He had not a real place to call home; he had a palace and loyal servants that took care of it, nobles that wished to serve and to be close to him, admirers that wanted to match his grace and share his ideals, even opponents who desired to bring him down in envy of the power he held among humans and vampires. That was all he had. And if you think that he had too much… think twice, because Kaname Kuran had no true family to call his own, neither friends to care about him and not about the power he represented. As a proof to my sayings I can assure you that he was no longer called by his name; he was just called "The King" and he had closed himself behind the doors of his palace many centuries ago.
That's right. He was still a lonely soul walking on the earth more like a passenger than a true resident.
His heart had not met love yet; the real unconditional love without exchanges and titles, rewards and attributions. He was worshiped or feared or praised like a King and that was all. There his prison started and the keys for that prison, Kaname had stopped searching a long, long time ago as he knew that what he was seeking…true emotions and pure feelings were a lost cause, taken away along with the ashes of the war that he had won so far.
He had come down to accept it as he knew that the distance that separated him from the common families, the everyday worries, the real world and relationships was constantly increasing. On the peak you stand alone…So he did…
But there were some nights, like this night, that he needed to escape from his duties, from the golden cage which the years, the power, the world, had built around him, a cage full of fake flatteries, obligations, reservations, pretenses and defenses.
Deep down, he was a primitive animal and like all beasts, he was in the need of a cave and of not a palace in order to truly meditate. And he knew exactly where that cave was, at least that was what he remembered of it, when he last visited it; ten years ago. Yes, a cave, hidden behind a little waterfall. He was sure that he had already reached his destination as the gargling sound of the fresh, crystal-clear water, echoed in his ears…already starting to clear his thoughts and to soothe his soul.
Yet what he saw when he approached the waterfall surprised him. He was still standing in a distance and he was hidden behind the shadow of the thick green bushes that covered the landscape. He could not be seen or sensed, yet he could see perfectly the naked woman who was bathing at the little pool underneath the moonlight.
It was a war season, the world was in an alert, yet she was enjoying the silence, the mystery of the night, like nothing at all could affect her. He was standing there among the trees, captivated by her sight and by her boldness, uncertain of what to do next, watching her was a sin but undoubtedly a beautiful one…
Her long red hair covered her back and some parts of her breasts. She was thin and her curves, full with little drops of water which run down to the length of her thighs and feet, were telling to him, her age; somewhere between a young woman and a girl she should be. There were also other signs for him to grasp; all with just one eye-sight. Her elegant and smooth moves as she bathed herself, cooling her skin with the water, gave away an exotic aura that he knew so well, an aura that belonged to his kind.
He could not approach closer to get her scent as she would sense him. If he could smell her, however he might be able to recognize her origins. He did not know her but he might have been familiar with her ancestors. If so he would recognize the smell but right now that option was not available to him. Even so…he could not stand there all night long, neither pretend that he or she did not exist. So he decided it and he made a small step further, the light sound of the crushed leaves and branches under his shoes were enough to give away his presence and, as he had suspected, a mild wind blew at his face and she disappeared from his optical field within a second. When he looked again the pool and the waterfall were left vacant. Everything was again peacefully left to its original condition. He signed. Even though he was not easily impressed, he had to admit that the landmark was more beautiful and interesting to his eyes when she was there to fill the picture.