Hey guys. :) *rolls out list of excuses and clears her throat*
Beauty and the Beast
by these scarlet drops of INK
::Part 3::
'The Beast'
The floorboards squeaked beneath the pair of feet that walked down the hall, pausing slightly outside of a door. Gentle hands, quite motherly in appearance, reached out to push the door open and reveal the young figure of a boy quietly sitting on a wooden window bench. His shoulders were tensed as he stared longingly out of the window at the children who were playing outside. The silver hair of the boy had still not gone away, as hoped by his parents. Despite the doctors they'd seen, there had been no logical explanation for his hair color. It made the boy different. Bizarre. Outcast. "Zero, dear. Stay away from the window."
~xXx~
The hand splayed over the cold glass of the window played along the the lines of raindrops sliding down the other side. There wasn't much of a view; nothing but dark skies and a fog that protected the sight of the ground beneath much like the skirts of women. Rain continued to patter against the window with an ongoing melancholy that had begun to wrap itself around him. Sitting on the window's bench, its tapestry filled with intricate ivy designs of silk fitting over a comfortable cushion, Zero continued to watch the simmering storm behind soft eyes. The rain would no let up. There was so much of it here, hindering the warmth of the sun. It was as if this place was far away from the town he'd been living in, for even there the weather had never been this bleak.
This endless rain...He wondered. When would it end?
~xXx~
The ever present pitter patter of rain fell against the room's floor with little resistance from the shattered barrier. In the darkness of the room, there was a soft glow that was contained around an object. It surrounded a deep, rich foot mirror with a metal frame of thorny vines that ensnared a moving image within its glass of a silver-haired angel staring out of a window forlornly; longing for the return of its wings so that he may take to the light once more. Piercing red eyes stared at the sight of the boy, evasively watching the silent emotions the boy was exuding. The beast, who'd torn the feathers of the boy's wings and chained him in this tower of ever darkness, looked on at his prisoner.
"I don't understand. You would give your life, your body, in place of hers?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because...because I love her."
Shutting his eyes and turning away, the beast let out a growl as the door of the room banged against the wall. Instantly, the image in the mirror vanished, continuing its distorted reflection of what was once a beautiful room as the dark shadow left its confines.
~xXx~
"What should I do with him?" Kaname demanded. He continued pacing back and forth in the shadows of the room, looking like nothing but a large creature come to life from childish nightmares. His back was hunched as his claws scraped against the ground like a blade sharpening against stone. Despite his heavy body, his movements were swift and powerful. The gray, coarse skin-tight against his face in a permanent scowl. His eyes were large and bled a dark crimson, a blood lust evident and demanding inside their crazed, optical cage: he was truly a hideous creature.
Kain watched his master cautiously from near the fireplace. His arms crossed over a strong chest, taking in each swift turn and agitated snarl as Kaname paced in his study; the master's appearance had worsened once more. Without blood sustaining him, the master grew ghastlier. Despite how much he detested killing, it was the only way for some of them to survive during the harshest of times. With a sigh, he caught the attention of the three occupants in the room; two blonds and one beast.
"You can always devour him."
"N-"
"No!" Ichijou shot up from his seat, whirling around to stare at his best friend with a horrified expression on his face. Without a doubt the prince looked like a beast and had always been a bit dangerous even without his fangs, the claws, and monstrous built; but he knew Kaname was no monster. "You cannot kill that poor boy, Kaname! He's young and in love and-and it's unjust. Surely you cannot justify his death with hunger simply because he stood up to you! The boy deserves a little break after he sacrificed himself for another, does he not?"
The low rumble of a restrained growl forced tension in the bodies of the three servants of the castle as the beast stopped its frustrated pacing to glare with alarming eyes at the eldest servant in the castle. Despite it all, Ichijou stood firm. "I already said no, Ichijou, is that not enough? Or do you mean to continue berating me in front of others?" Without giving the vampire a chance to reply, he turned away with a snarl. "I don't care what he does, just make certain he stays out of the East Wing or I cannot guarantee his life."
As his childhood friend began to walk away, Ichijou hesitated as thoughts ran through his head. He sighed and looked away, a deep and softly spoken pain in his eyes. Then, quietly he spoke up once more. "...Kaname, you don't intend to keep him trapped here forever, do you?"
The beast paused. His muscles taut with an ever-present anger making his massive body much more intimidating, even when stationary. Since he hadn't warned Ichijou to hold his tongue, the vampire continued, glancing up at Kaname. "Why don't you get to know him? He may be good company."
"He was in love with that girl," Kain pointed out thoughtfully after a moment of silence.
Aidou blinked at him from the comfort of the couch, seeking a fleeting warmth to no avail from cushions beneath him. He was a bit confused as to what that human being in love with someone had to do with anything, so he scowled at his cousin. "What of it?"
Kain frowned at the blond. He was an intelligent boy to say the very least, but he failed to understand so much at times. It was hard to remember he was quite the genius. However, before he could enlighten his kin, Ichijou was speaking up once again, a bit tentatively to Kaname's stiff back. "Perhaps you can ask his advice? Ask him what it is like to be in love."
Long silence followed his suggestions, but the beast had not moved. As though he seemed to he mulling it over in his mind. And then, with the slightest turn of his head, "dress him and bring him to me. As a reward for allowing him to live thus far, he will come down to dine. I'll decide then what to do with him.
~xXx~
Rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily, Kaien Cross took in a deep breath and released it slowly. Replacing his fingers with his glasses, the orphanage's caretaker stared blindly through his desk. Despite all his efforts, he had been defeated. No matter how thoroughly or how deep he looked, he could not find any signs of his long-lost child. Zero Kiryu seemed to have vanished off the face of the Earth. This would be what Kaien Cross was going to need to say to the girl who quite possibly adored said vanished boy more than anything. As selfish as it sounded, he wished that his dear Yuuki would remain asleep till Zero's return.
Lifting his head at the sound of a gentle knock on his door, Kaien allowed the person permission to step inside. "Yuuki!" Kaien blinked as the brunette girl entered his office, a small frown on her pink lips as she quietly closed the door behind her and tried a small smile. "Good morning."
"Morning..." Kaien Cross studied the small brunette girl carefully, searching for any signs of her fever, but found none. There was only a quietness about her that hadn't been usual with her, but given her state as of recent, it seemed excusable. "Yuuki? Are you feeling well?" he asked, carefully coming around the desk and heading towards her. She smiled softly at him, touching a hand to her head. "I believe so. My head feels a little funny, although it there is no pain."
"I see." He caught her by the shoulders and studied her closely. She blinked in confusion while he carefully stared into her eyes. Then, with a moment's breath, he suddenly pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "I'm glad to see you unharmed, my dear daughter."
Yuuki blinked into the caretaker's warm coat and, without knowing why she felt so weary, closed her eyes and leaned against him. "Caretaker, I can't find Zero. I haven't been able to find him in his room or in the orphanage. There is nowhere he would be that I have not already looked...where did he go?"
"Well that is..." She felt the man who watched over her like a father sigh and hold her tighter. "It seems that Zero has gone out to look for you and has not yet returned."
"Hasn't returned?" Yuuki gasped pushing the caretaker back to make sure the man wasn't secretly laughing at her. "Looking for me? What do you mean?" A strange panic seemed to fill her, as though she knew not having Zero around meant he must be in danger. That something on the edge of her memory was threatening her- no, Zero- threatening Zero's safety!
"Yuuki?" Cross was frowning at her with a sympathetic look on his face. He was rubbing his hands up and down her arms, hoping to create warmth and comfort. It scared her. It scared her because she felt cold and alone. She couldn't feel the warmth. She couldn't feel the comfort. All she felt was a freezing terror that something was looming in the shadows. Something, something was threatening her. "Yesterday, tell me what you remember once you returned with Zero from the neighboring town."
"I..." Yuuki lowered her gaze as she tried to recall, her hands tightened over the caretaker's chest as nothing came to mind. She was walking...and...Zero was...she had been chasing a squirrel and Zero had told her she would lose her arm if she kept at it. Then...then...there was a blond boy...and...no. He was an older man...and the book...and...no, he was a red head...and...there was...she'd fallen down and...and...
"That's enough," Cross said, gently shaking the whimpering girl's shoulders before wrapping her in comforting arms. "Rest for now. We'll worry about Zero later."
~xXx~
Water sloshed and dripped down the hand that broke free from the surface of the porcelain tub's water. The first time he had bathed in it, he had been too afraid of dirtying everything with the filth and grime he'd been covered in. The inside of the tub was so smooth and clean, he'd been ashamed of dirtying the white color of the porcelain. It was something close to trepidation that he avoided even grazing the outside of the tub which was gilded in wonderful orchid designs that seemed to elegantly envelop the entire thing. What really had Zero in awe, however, were the clawfoots that held the tub up. They were made of what looked like real solid gold! Though Zero had never once seen the real thing personally, so he could only guess at its authenticity. He had marveled at the sight for some time before he'd attempted to get into the thing.
Even the water in which he bathed seemed so different to the water in the streams. The color was not natural. It appeared to be a more cream-like color that perhaps looked like someone had dumped milk into it. The smell that was emanating from the water made his shoulders shiver in delight and his body to relax back against the flared end of the tub, his chin being teased by the enchanting water beneath. Not to mention, as silly as it seemed, there was dozens of red rose petals littering the top of the bath. Plucking one up between his fingers, he wondered whether this was what made the rich people's skin's look so delicate. His mother had-
Dropping his hand back beneath the water, he closed his eyes and leaned back against the tub once more. He had to take a moment in order to stop his mind from relaxing too much. After all, he was not at home here. This place was something foreign. It felt so strange being pampered this way. Not that he felt the need to complain at the moment. It felt too nice for such a thing. However...
"To dine with the master?" Zero was sure the discomfort and uncertainty was as plain as day on his face when Ichijou informed him of the dinner plans for the evening. Apparently, he'd be dining with the master of the castle. "You mean...with the beast?"
Ichijou's smile failed to falter the entire time. He simply smiled and nodded. "Yes. With the master of the castle. Now then, I'll prepare an herbal bath for you and have clothes brought to you immediately. When the time comes, I'll send someone to come for you and escort you down to the dining hall."
...he couldn't completely shake his unease with the situation. He wondered if this meant that he would finally be-
The door of the wash room opened and the soft heels of shoes clinked against the floor as the strawberry blond girl walked to the middle of the room with a pile of clothes in her hand. She turned to stare at him in the bath. Stare, because she was still looking.
"I've brought your clothes for you," she finally said, sounding almost bored as she remained where she was. As if she was expecting Zero to nod his head, climb out of the bath and simply get dressed before her. Which wasn't what he did. In fact, Zero jolted upright, unwittingly kicking the cream filled water and sloshing the petals against the edges of the tub where the water nearly toppled over the edge. After nearly drowning himself, he stared at Rima in wide-eyed shock while she stared at him as he sat there in the tub. Naked. Completely. He was sitting in a tub completely naked. With a woman staring at him in a more or less bored manner. This was certainly no longer the most relaxing moment of his life.
"You shouldn't splash around like that," she scolded him, failing to comprehend the real issue at hand here. "It isn't a stream."
Zero's face went red. "W-what are you doing in here?"
Her red eyes darted down to the clothing in her arms then glanced up at him. "As I said before, I was bringing your clothes to you."
As if they were speaking in completely different languages, Zero felt the need to point out, "I...I'm not dressed."
She blinked, her gaze roving past his eyes, down his chin and over his bare chest to the rest of his body hopefully still hidden beneath the scattered rose petals and cream-colored water inside the tub. "I see. Perhaps that's why I was sent to bring these clothes?"
Zero glanced away from her unabashed gaze, the strawberry hue still dancing softly against his (now very) soft cheeks. "Could you please turn away?"
"What for?" She frowned.
"..." Drowning sounded pleasant right about now.
"Rima."
"Hm?"
They both blinked at the sound of another voice. Turning to the direction of the newcomer, Zero saw the other vampire who often came along with Ichijou. Shiki was looking at Rima with his brows drawn slightly together, as if he were frowning at her a bit. Though his face seemed too expressionless for Zero to properly tell. "Ichijou said to leave the clothes for him on the bed."
"Oh."
As she finally strolled out, Zero lifted a hand from the elegant water to rub against the side of his face in relief at finally having a bit of his privacy returned. However, even though the girl was now gone, he could still feel someone in the room staring at him. Wearily, he turned his gaze to the copper haired vampire.
Shiki said nothing as he stared for a moment. And then finally, he offered, "Would you like me to wash your back?"
"No thank you," he declined, lowering himself into the water further.
~xXx~
Why do I have to be the one escorting him? The blond wondered as he made his way through the castle to the north wing. Never mind that such was his duty, he simply didn't want to look at the cause of their destruction. Instead of wasting his time with this fool, he could have been out there searching for another beautiful girl to break the curse over his master and his castle. Not be babysitting someone who had taken, perhaps, their final hope away from them. What was with everyone, anyway? Why were they acting as if the situation was fine? Did they not understand? They didn't have very long until the curse became permanent!
Pausing to gather himself outside the prisoner's door, Aidou could hear the foolish orphan inside muttering about the clothes he was wearing. Waiting a moment before knocking on the door, Aidou let himself in without waiting for a reply. The silver-haired human looked up, a bit startled at his appearance. It was the first time they were meeting, after all. "My name is Aidou Hanabusa. I'm here to escort you to the dining..."
Aidou was unable to continue his introduction, for all he could do was take in the sight of the human boy before him. With hair that looked like silk woven in the stars, and a pair of eyes that were like refracted amethysts against the glowing skin of what no longer appeared to be a human, but an enchanted being that stood uncertainly before him, the boy failed to look like the orphan peasant he was. What was more startling still, were the black fitting dress pants and white silk shirt that was left unlaced through silver grommets along the hem of a V neck collar, exposing the young boy's neck and collar-bone. So, too, were the puff sleeves left untied at the cuff. Nevertheless, they suited him well, though that was not what startled Aidou. "The master's clothes..."
Zero straightened, a bit taken back by that statement. He longed down at the foreign clothes that felt unlike his own rough clothing in shock. "These belonged to the beast?" For what purpose could such a creature desire clothing such as these? It was quite a curious thing to Zero who felt even further discomfort with such expensive feeling clothes. He'd been unaware of it for a moment, but the blond was glaring at him. It was not much of a glare that expressed revulsion so much as one of disapproval.
"You should be grateful you've been given the honor bestowed upon you," he nearly sneered, pulling something from his pocket before snapping it shut with an irritated grunt and turning away. "Follow me quickly, it would be disgraceful to be tardy."
~xXx~
The walk through the castle didn't seem any more enjoyable than it had the first time. Though his room was bright and looked inhabitable, the rest of the castle had not followed its example. The darkness that had shrouded its vast elegance continued to do so, giving the feeling of hiding more than just luxuries in their depths. Zero had, on occasion, moved closer to his guide (despite the vampire's obvious distaste at the movements) to avoid the sensation of hands coming out to grab at him. When they finally made it to the dining hall, Zero was pleased to see that at least at the table, light was emanating from the candle lit chandeliers above. Crystals hung from ornate arms and refracted light upon the table, but strangely, the light was dim and controlled. Instead of lighting the large hall, it only illuminated most of the table and left the rest to shadows.
At the brighter end of the table stood the blond Zero was more familiar with, smiling at him and pulling the large chair out as Zero drew near. "You look very dashing and debonair, Zero," Ichijou said, almost cheerfully as he ushered Zero to take a seat. "The clothes seem to fit well."
"Thank you," Zero mumbled, unsure of how to respond to such flattery. It was a bit discomforting, but he could not say it was unwelcome. Dimming flames flickered over multiple candelabra that lined his end of the table and was covered in fine linen cover. Despite this, the large table stretched out before him into the beckoning arms of shadows where Zero could vague see a large, empty chair at the other end.
"I'll have diner brought out in a moment," Ichijou assured him, breaking Zero's focus in order to turn to him with a small nod of his head. Quietly, Ichijou took his leave and Zero found himself in the large dining hall alone. The hall, much like every other inch of the castle, was quite large. And empty. Just sitting here made him feel cold. Though he was truly grateful to finally be out of that room- despite how welcoming he found it, it was still tiring being there all day. He longed to be out and about instead of being so confined.
~xXx~
When Ichijou returned with Shiki and Rima assisting him, they set before him his dinner. However, Zero noticed that while they brought out his plate, they did not serve a second. When Shiki and Rima began to withdraw from the room, Zero couldn't help but frown at Ichijou. "The bea-" Remembering Aidou's reaction to Zero calling the prince by such a title, he cut himself off and tried again. "The master of the castle, will he no longer be joining me for dinner?"
"Uh..." Ichijou, with a white cloth around his forearm, paused in making certain everything was as it should be. Blinking, he turned towards the shadowed end of the hall and then back at Zero with a bright smile. "There's no need to worry, he will be joining you shortly. Go ahead and eat before he arrives, he would insist."
Common etiquette- not that Zero knew much of it- required that he wait to eat until everyone were at the table, especially the host. "But-"
"It's fine," Ichijou persisted, waving a dismiss hand in the air like it was no big deal. "He'll not think it rude of you to have eaten ahead of him, I assure you."
"Very well," Zero conceded a bit unsure.
It was with a sudden hunger that Zero gratefully began his meal. So lost in the exquisite taste was he that he failed to notice the pair of crimson eyes that watched him intently from the other end of the room. It was not until his hunger had been satiated that Zero began to feel as though he were being watched. Taking a cautious glance around, his gaze came upon the red hues that pierced through a corner in the shadows. His instinct reaction was to jump out of his seat in fear, but he refused to budge. He'd taken his meal and was prepared for the worst. Still, he could not help the trembles in his arms. Lowering his gaze to the table, Zero awaited for the beast to make his move. When, after a few minutes, nothing happened, Zero finally built enough courage to take a weighing breath and speak.
"Are you going to kill me now?"
The response was the heavy breathing of that beast that rumbled low in his throat like soft growl; perhaps it may have even been akin to a purr unlike that of a kitten. Beyond that, there was no movement. No words spoken. No answer. With his gaze transfixed on the white linen beneath his plate, Zero swallowed past his hesitation to speak his next words. "If you are, then please do so quickly. I do not enjoy the apprehension of waiting and wondering when the time will come."
The response this time came in the form of a growl that caused not only his heart but the adornments on the table to shudder at the sound. A low growl, one that was more annoyed and less angry, but frightening nonetheless. "Is your life so meaningless that you would tempt me to take it from you?"
"No!" Zero's gaze snapped to the angry red eyes when he heard the beast move closer, eyes wide as he stood suddenly, nearly knocking the chair over in his panic. He had not meant it as an invitation. When the beast made no further movement, Zero forced his heart to calm. Taking an unsteady breath, he broke contact with those blood-colored eyes and licked his lips. "It isn't that I'm eager to die. However, I feel as though I could choke from the uncertainty..."
The low grumble of the beast returned, but this was preferable to the tone before. "Uncertainty? How is it that you feel uncertain when you leave no doubt as to my intentions? You assume that I would take your life, but what reason have I given you to believe such a thing?"
Zero said nothing. He'd heard the beast speak before, but he hadn't given it much thought. The beast who spoke from the shadows now seemed very intelligent. There was a way in how his voice carried that reminded Zero of the nobles he'd had the misfortune of running across.
"Because I'm a beast?"
Surprised by the bitterness in the beast's voice, Zero turned away unable to deny those claims. The beast who'd taken Yuuki captive and threatened her had seemed vicious and cruel. He was a monster who had split them apart. That's what Zero believed. His fists clenched at his side, hoping to gather whatever understanding he could grasp at. Did the beast really have no intention of killing him? Was that not what beasts did? If not, then what did he want with Zero? None of those questions mattered, for the beast had begun to take its leave.
"Wait!" Zero called out a bit desperately. "If you don't intend to kill me, then what is it that you want from me?"
"..." The silhouette of the beast was barely visible as it loomed in the room. "Only that you keep your promise."
And then the beast was gone.
Scar: And that's the reason why it took me this long to update *this time* :) I hope that you understand and wont rip me a new one for its tardiness. *begins to roll up her list of excuses* Look! I even made Kaname and Zero interact. Okay, okay, I know that was probably anticlimactic *is brain-dead*... I promise in the next chapter they'll be all up in each others faces! Take that however you'd like. You could be right with whatever you're imagining, or you could be wrong. Only I know. :D Give me about 2 weeks (at the most) for the next update and if I fail to do so, then you can feel free to start sending those death threats I know most of you were planning.
[I just feel like I should apologize for being so unprepared with this story. If it wasn't for my Muse-chan~ *huggles*~ I'd be crying in a corner at the thought of getting this done right now. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. A one shot? Pfft. It's confirmed. It'll be around 10 chapter. :) But this is the last time I take on a blend of Disney and Vk. lol]
I've got an awesome idea! Why not rewrite Beauty and the Beast with Vampire Knight? It would be so much fun! She said to herself...*facepalm*
