Disclaimer: The following characters mentioned in this fanfic do not belong to me. They are created by/belong to Ayana Itsuki, and the guys at TV Tokyo. If I did own them, I wouldn't have to be writing a fanfic about them.
--Love Eternal…? The Second Night--
A new night. A new location. A new encounter. Shido, with a somewhat uncertainty in his actions approached his next meeting place with his associate, Cain. The rendezvous point, this time, being an outdoor café on the main street. Shido still felt uneasy about meeting with Cain again. The strangely beautiful aristocrat that both intrigued and frightened him at the same time with his "antics" from their previous meet was going to meet with him once more. Arriving at an empty table, Shido noticed that Cain was absent from their meeting place. "He's not here…?" Shido said with a sigh of relief.
He sat down at the table, and ordered a cup of tea. Sipping it slightly, Shido noticed a table across from him housed a group of giggling women dressed in evening gowns. Their fits of laughter seemed to increase as Shido looked more towards their direction, smiled and waved at them. 'I don't think even Science could tell me what goes on within a woman's mind…' thought Shido. He returned to his cup of tea when he noticed that the women at the table suddenly stopped their constant giggling. Curious as to why the group of women have instantly become silent, Shido noticed the looks on their faces. They seemed awe-struck, as if they were in a sort of trance. Their eyes were alert, but their souls seemed distant.
'What could it be that would have them so distracted?' he thought. Shido quickly scanned the area to find the source of their distraction. It was then that Shido, himself, was also put under the same trance that the ladies were in. Not too far off down the street, Cain could be seeing walking in solitude, the moonlight shining brightly on his person. A smile crept across his face, as his eyes met with Shido's, Shido still entranced by Cain's very presence. To Cain, the world was his playground, and he was merely taking a stroll.
"Ah, Mr. Shido, I am so glad you decided to accept my invitation this evening." Cain said as he bowed slightly in Shido's direction. His deep voice bellowed once again from within his throat as he spoke. It echoed over the region and seemed to enhance the effects of the trance. The ladies at the table nearly lost themselves as Cain spoke; and if one took notice, Cain seemed to enjoy the extra attention. Shido, however, was still deeply within the trance-like state. Concerned, Cain spoke up, "Mr. Shido?"
"Ah! Err… Y-yes. Good evening, Lord Cain." Shido stood up immediately.
"I was just saying that it is a pleasure to see you again." Cain smiled again as Shido returned to "normal".
"A-always a pleasure to meet you again, Lord Cain." Shido tried to suppress any thoughts of nervousness since yesterday, but he still couldn't shake from his memory the kiss from their previous time together. The image was forever etched into his mind.
"Ah, but the pleasure will soon be mine, Mr. Shido…" Cain said, hinting at a hidden agenda. "Come, I have something I must show you tonight…"
"Are you going to show me some of the game you've caught, Lord Cain?" Shido asked. Now that he mentioned it, Shido never saw any of Cain's prizes on display the previous evening. Did he not proudly show off his catches?
"On the contrary; we are going on a hunt. Over the years, I've hunted alone; but hunting by yourself can become quite boring… Double the effort, double the fun, am I right?" As they continued their conversation, they left the outdoor café, and strolled down the street. Cain was leading the way. Talking as they walked, they continued upon the subject of hunting. It had been revealed that Shido did not approve of hunting himself, though he acknowledged that it took great skill for such a sport. Cain went on an on about how difficult each hunt was, but with each hunt he went into detail about, he would always evade in saying what it was that he was hunting
After walking and talking for what seemed like an hour, they'd finally arrived at Cain's favorite hunting grounds. "But… but this is a Nunnery. Lord Cain, what game would we possibly find here on such holy ground?" Shido asked thinking that most hunts took place in dense forests and woods. Cain merely smiled. "I don't think we're in the right place."
"Ah, but we are at the very source of our prey, Mr. Shido… Look there…!" Cain pointed towards the stone building they came to so as to show Shido what exactly it was that they were hunting. However, to Shido's somewhat disappointment, a young woman garbed in nun clothing came walking out of the building. Giving Cain a questionable look, Shido asked, "Don't tell me that you prey on young women, Lord Cain." Shido sighed.
This dark man of elegance was nothing more than a lecherous pervert that wanted nothing more than to try to have his way with any young woman that was unfortunate enough to get in his path. Shido looked to Cain for answers but found that Cain was no longer standing next to him. 'What the…? But I didn't even see him move…' he thought. It was as if Cain had vanished into thin air. His eyes searched the area quickly to try and find his 'associate', but could not find him. Then he remembered the young woman.
Fixing his gaze onto her position, Shido saw that she had removed the veil of from her habit. It seemed she was still a 'nun-in-training'. She seemed quite content as she walked down the moon-lit path towards her home when a deep voice came from seemingly out-of-nowhere. "Such a beautiful maiden from the order of divine light. Do you not have a traveling companion during such dangerous times?" As if to give form to the ominous voice, Cain's body emerged from the darkness of an alleyway not too far from where the young woman stood. She jumped from the sudden appearance, but didn't run away. Wandering how Cain got there that fast in the first place, Shido got closer to the two, trying not to get caught for fear of being called an accomplice to this event. When he got within ear-shot, he could hear Cain's voice ask, "Are you not afraid, fair one?"
"I-I am not af-fraid, my lord. The p-power of God watches over me. Even now, my lord, his… divine protection keeps me safe," the young woman said, trying her best not to sound fearful. But Cain's laughter after hearing her excuse for not being afraid only debilitated her efforts to build her confidence. Shido recognized the look on her face. It was the same look he had on his face when Cain had snapped at him the night before.
"God's divine protection?" he chuckled as if it was a hilarious joke. "My dear, these days, the only protection that seems even somewhat effective is either a blade or a man who commands Death himself…" His eyes scanned her briefly, and he continued. "You seem to have only one of the two…" The woman grasped a small object inside a pouch tied to her waist. Cain laughed again. "Tell me; is it mandatory for nuns to be armed with standard-issue daggers?"
Both the woman and Shido were shocked. 'How could he have known? He must have incredible observation powers!' Shido thought. Cain continued talking to the woman, but instead of closing in on her, he merely stayed his ground. 'Why does he not approach her? If he's going to do the deed, then just do it!' A part of Shido didn't want to be here, but in the back of his mind, Shido couldn't tear himself away from the scene. It was as if he was staring at an accident scene. He should go for help, but his body forbade him to do so. Cain and the nun-in-training continued their conversation.
"S-so… if the power of the almighty nor my blade won't help me… Do you t-think you can… take his p-place?" Her grip on the pocketed dagger tightened.
"No, my lady. I do not wish to impede upon God's 'job'. I only wish to offer you guidance through the darkness." He extended his hand to her. "Come… won't you… let me be your guide?" Suddenly, Cain's golden eyes began to glow an eerie light, and the air around them seemed to become heavy. The nun's eyes drooped slightly, as if she'd lost her will, and her posture eased until she was in a relaxed stance. Almost as if she was being controlled. Cain spoke to her again, "Come to your guide…" As if in a trance, the woman acknowledged the command and began walking at a slow, yet steady pace towards Cain's position. Not believing what was unfolding before his eyes, Shido could only watch from a distance as Cain 'worked his magic' on the unsuspecting woman they'd just seen not minutes earlier. The next event that unfolded before Shido would forever change his opinion about Cain for the first time.
The young woman was finally within close proximity of Cain's tall figure. Opening his cape, as if to invite her in, a smile crept upon his face. The young woman then embraced Cain, her eyes still as soulless as ever. Turning her completely around, Cain bent over her small frame, slid the collar of her nun's habit down her shoulders slightly and, from what Shido could see, began to kiss her deeply along the side of her neck. 'What in the world…!? Where does he think he is!?' As Cain 'kissed' her, the young woman's mouth opened and moans crept from her lips. As she moaned, Cain tightened his grip on her shoulder.
All this and more was creating a slightly erotic scene that was making Shido blush. Cain hadn't met the woman for 5 minutes, and he was close to taking her to his chambers for the remainder of the evening. After much deliberation, Shido stood up and shouted out from his hiding spot, "Lord Cain! Please think of where you are!" Cain looked up to see what the disturbance was, to find Shido with a look of horror on his face. Perhaps it was the trail of blood flowing down the side of his face, or the twin puncture wounds in the neck of the now lifeless body of the woman he held in his arms; whatever the obvious case may be, Shido now saw Cain for what he really is. Nosferatu… The living undead… Vampire… Knowing that he'd been found out, Cain let the limp body drop to the ground and approached Shido's position.
"Shido…" Cain called out to him, but he received the obvious results of his actions.
"S-stay away from me!" Stepping back, Shido nearly tripped over some nearby trash, but he quickly regained his footing. Thoughts raced through his mind as they did when Cain kissed him the preceding night, but the most apparent of thoughts formed in his mind above all others. 'Run!' Turning on his heels, Shido immediately sprinted away from the scene, not caring if Cain pursued or not. Even if Cain did follow Shido, and caught up with him, what would he do to Shido? Would Cain claim Shido's life now that his 'secret' was out? Shido now knew what he was, though all laws of Science defied everything that Cain is. Perhaps the realm of Science was all a lie, or maybe it withheld the truth? The Supernatural wasn't supposed to exist, and yet Shido just witnessed an act of vampirism before his very eyes. What was he to do now, but run into the night? This running for his life was preventing him from thinking clearly. He needed a place to hide. Without thinking of a route, Shido's legs brought him to a place that many would deem sanctuary… An abandoned church.
From the looks of it, this church was a victim of a fire that claimed most of the holy structure. No matter. This place would have to do. Shido recounted that there were some legends that claimed vampires were fearful of the cross, and couldn't set foot onto holy ground. Hoping that the door was unlocked, Shido turned the knob, and to his surprise, the door opened to invite him inside. Rushing in, and closing the door behind him, Shido's heart began to race as he tried to formulate a plan of action. 'The door!' Looking around, Shido searched for something that he could barricade the door with. His eyes fell onto an empty pew. Mustering his strength, Shido pushed the bench against the door and looked for additional items to aid in the barricading. He found an ancient candelabra lying next to him. Picking it up, he jammed it in between the door handles. Checking the stability of his barricade and being satisfied with it, Shido then carried his tired body towards the front of the old church. At the front, a giant cross with Jesus crucified on it watched over the pulpit of the area. The roof was out above the statue, and the moonlight shone through, giving the statue and added effect of holiness. Shido fell to his knees before the statue and began to do something he hadn't done in a long time. With all his might, Shido began to pray.
"I know I haven't done this in a long time, but I beg of you with all sincerity, my Lord… Please… Please find it within your heart to spare me tonight! Offer me your divine protection just this once!"
"I wouldn't say my protection is divine, per say; but I do not have the intention of hurting you, my dear Shido." To Shido's amazement, and disappointment, Cain's ominous voice appeared from seeming out-of-nowhere just as it did earlier. However, instead of rematerializing from some dark area, Cain descended into the church through the hole in the roof as if he was a dark angel coming down from on high to deliver punishment. Shido rose from his knees and retreated towards the door only to come to the horrible realization that he forgot one important detail. He barricaded the only known entranced to this building! He was trapped. Trapped with a demon of the night.
"I found you…" Cain said in a demonically playful tone as he slowly approached his new target.
-End-
A/N: Wow… this one's kinda long, huh? I was thinking about putting them into two different chapters, but then I started thinking, what if each chapter took place over the course of different nights? Perhaps that will be the way I write this story in the future… perhaps not… at either rate, sorry it took so long to update this story… ;;