His Forbidden Fruit – Chapter 4

Haruka

(Warning: Mild biblical reference.)

Haruka rested his head on a plush pillow that lay on his four-poster bed and closed his eyelids, feigning a stillness that could have been associated with death. He bathed in the faded orange light that had seeped into his room through the closed curtains and let a small sigh escape through his warm but ashen lips.

You never do anything nice for me.

The simple sentence sent ripples of agony through his heart as it crossed his mind yet the third time. Again, his fists instinctively clenched, clutching onto his silky bed sheet as the blood drained from his knuckles, making them ever paler.

When he was younger and naïve, Haruka viewed Juuri as his forbidden fruit, never to be plucked from his Tree. Both his parents and later Rido etched into him that Juuri's feelings could not waver. With his immature mind, Haruka complied, never showing Juuri any more affection beyond their simple brother and sister relationship. There had been countless of times where he had done a pleasant deed for her but instantly locked away the memory. It had been simple enough to delve into her mind and find her precious trove of memories, to choose the desired images and seal them behind lock and key with a delicate swish of his fingers. Haruka never thought more of it but now the memories of his oppressed childhood brought sorrow to his exquisite features as Haruka continued to flip through different instances in his own mind.

He had only been a puppet controlled by the hands of fate. Father, Rido, and even Mother had merely used him for their advantage. With realization, Haruka saw that as the second born male, he had been walking in Rido's shadow, doing his bidding, and glorifying his brother's image.

Haruka sat up abruptly, staring into the growing darkness descending upon his room with narrowed eyes. "What is it, Rido?"

He emerged from the impending darkness as if he had been part of it, the edges of his buttoned up tailored suit blending and combining with the surrounding shadows. Rido was so much in harmony with the lighting of his room that Haruka had a hard time depicting where the darkness ended and his suit began. With the dimness, he also could not identify his brother's defining features; only his heterochromia was clearly visible. The vivid crimson and piercing sapphire orbs held Haruka's gaze intently, never faltering, radianting superiority.

The tugging sensation he had felt with his mother's unblinking gaze heightened. With each second, he could feel part of his soul chipping away, like crystalline glass slowly shattering as he continued to match his brother's glare with his own.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Rido's scarlet lips. "You've gotten stronger dear brother."

"As with you," Haruka answered with a smile of his own, although it was more scornful than earnest. "Now, Rido, stop circumventing the subject. What do you need?"

Rido's eyes narrowed as his grin disintegrated into a slight frown. "You see, dear brother," he ominously said, marring over the word 'dear' with a thick layer of sarcasm, "I was informed of a certain deed you did for Juuri today."

Haruka blood ran cold as he instinctively took a step to the side for his bed was still behind him. The subtle change in Rido's mood suddenly became vibrant, a threatening aura dispensing throughout the room. A crimson ring was forming around the iris of his eyes that only meant one thing: He wanted to kill.

Haruka took another step to the side, using his hand to search for the opening that he needed. Meanwhile, Rido lowered himself, eyes narrowing into slits, like a predator hunting its prey.

Rido was the great hawk, observing him, the scrawny rabbit, amused by his feeble attempts to escape his pointed claws. Nevertheless, Haruka would not let himself to be trampled so effortlessly.

His eyes narrowed as well.

Rido dove forward with inhuman speed–

–he ducked, leaping sideways out into the open, away from his bed.

Breathing heavily, Haruka turned around. Rido's back was towards him, his body shaking with vengeance. His fingers, like claws, gripped the white sheets, boring multiple holes into them. With a jolt, Haruka realized that Rido was chuckling.

"You were such a good little brother," Rido stated, turning to face him, eyes gleaming with an animalistic passion. "Why do you have to defy my plans now?"

Rido cast him a knowing glare, silently daring for Haruka to voice the evident response to his question.

Against his best judgment and out of smite, Haruka did. "I love her."

As soon as the simple assertion left his lips, Haruka was unexpectedly slammed against the wall. The impact was far from light, Rido's body weight hit home in his chest, sending a bout of coughing to rack through his body. Haruka witnessed his so-called brother straighten himself without any guilt on his impeccable face, and moreover, he was allowed only a few seconds of relief before Rido's strong hand wrapped around his neck, smacking his head back against the ruined wall.

"Look what you made me do dear brother," Rido mocked, indicating towards his soiled suit, "And this was my favorite."

As much as Haruka wanted to fire a bitterly sarcastic comment back, his airways were becoming more and more restricted as Rido's firm hold on his neck tightened. Even as a vampire, oxygen could only be optional for so long.

Rido laughed scornfully at his pathetic attempts to writhe from his grasp. Measured by brute force alone, Rido surpassed Haruka's own strength at least two fold. Still, giving up was out of the question.

His grip tightened. "Your resistance is futile Haruka," Rido whispered into his ear, his frosty breath tickling Haruka's skin. "Even somebody as oblivious as you must realize the difference in our strengths. Give up and maybe I'll let you off."

"No," Haruka whispered, "No."

"What did you say?"

"No." His voice was firm as he stared into his brother's multi-colored eyes without flinching.

Rido's eyes blazed and radiated so much hatred that Haruka could almost feel the icy burn it left in his soul. "I'm through playing games with you," he roared, pushing Haruka harder against the wall, the pointed pieces of stone pricking against his back, "If it weren't for the fact that I still need you, I would kill you. Here and now."

Suddenly, pain shot up Haruka's arm as he felt his flesh ripping apart. Blood oozed from the gash, traveling down the length of his forearm, dripping off his fingertips. He instinctively hissed but ignored the throbbing wound with relative ease. Already, he could feel the injury stitching itself together, his skin cells multiplying at an unnatural speed.

Looking down at the nearly healed wound with amusement, Rido raised one claw-like finger and slashed another long gash down Haruka's arm. As his brother was seething in anguish, Rido leaned down to say, "Maybe I can't kill you, but even our race feels pain."

"And besides," Rido added, his voice impossibly low, an undeniable grin spreading across his face as he said it, "neither Father nor Mother would mourn for your death. You've always been a nuisance to them. A mistake."

As much as Haruka wanted to tell Rido his logic was flawed, in his heart, he knew that it was right. He wasn't supposed to have been born. He wasn't supposed to have existed. He had caused his mother more trauma by having to give birth to a third child because he wasn't supposed to be a boy. Father had made it evident that he didn't belong. Haruka had always noticed the distant way his father acknowledged him and the disapproval so apparent on his features near Haruka's presence.

The grief must have been clearly marked on his face for Rido's next words pierced his heart, as an arrow would cut through the flesh of a soldier. "Yes my dear brother, even Juuri wouldn't…"

Haruka waited for the words that would petrify his soul, but they never came. Rido stopped, mid-sentence, and sniffed the air, casting his eyes towards the door.

He mumbled something under his breath, so soft that even Haruka's heightened sense of hearing had to strain to catch the falling words. "Damn. I thought I put her into a deeper sleep than that." Although perplexed by the odd statement, Haruka soon disregarded it as the pressure on his neck lifted and he fell to the ground, filling his lungs with much needed oxygen. The presence of his brother still hung in the air, but for now, Haruka wasn't in immediate danger anymore. An aberrant wind circled around Haruka, gently blowing through his tussled ochre hair.

"You better heed my warning Haruka. Stay away from her. She is and always will be my fiancée." Rido's voice sounded in his ear, as if the man was next to him. However, Rido's physical form was nowhere to be found. When the wind died, Haruka felt all traces of Rido's presence vanish, as if he had never stepped foot into his room at all.

Within a few seconds, a light tap resounded from the other side of the door. Haruka slowly got up, dusting off his dress shirt and did a hasty check up of his well-being. When he decided that he was presentable, he turned the metal doorknob, already knowing whom he would be seeing.

"Hello Juuri," he greeted warily, running an alabaster hand through his silky tresses.

Juuri began to speak but stopped, taking in the worn state of Haruka's clothing, the nearly healed scars down his left arm, and the raspy voice in which he spoke.

Her long, thin fingers reached for Haruka's arm, but he pull away when they had wandered too far. "What happened?" she questioned as her mahogany-colored eyes still lingering on the disappearing wound.

"I fell and scrapped my arm against the bed post." Haruka knew in an instant that Juuri could see through his blatant lie.

"Somehow I doubt that," she said dubiously, giving Haruka a scrutinizing look. However, she stopped, her defined brow furrowing as she wrinkled her nose.

"Has Rido-niisan been here Haruka?" She took a step inside, sniffing the air.

Clutching his arm, Haruka replied, "Yes, why?"

"Oh, I was just going to have a word with him after I spoke with you."

"Why?" Haruka asked absentmindedly, wanting more than anything for the subject to change, and soon.

Juuri's eyes became clouded, her face contorting into one of intense contemplation. She spoke slowly, as if she was trying to remember something on the tip of her tongue. "I woke up on the window ledge, recollecting everything before my conversation with Rido-niisan but nothing following. No matter how many times I attempt to recall the memories, they don't come to me."

The earlier discarded words of his loving brother crossed Haruka's mind.

Damn. I thought I put her into a deeper sleep than that.

As before, Haruka found it peculiar that Rido would say such a statement. He felt that it was almost as if Rido knew that Juuri would come knock on his door.

No, he had known.

The realization struck Haruka like a blade could slice through the fragile flesh of a human. Rido had erased Juuri's memories and put her to sleep to keep her from interfering.

He opened his mouth to tell his sister the epiphany that had come to him but he stopped. Mentioning Rido would have meant that he could be potentially exposing his situation as well. There was no need for Juuri know things that would only give her concern.

Instead, Haruka quickly changed the subject while Juuri was still in deep thought. "You mentioned that you wanted to speak to me. What do you need baby sis?"

Immediately, her face puckered up as she stamped her foot. "I told you not to call me that!"

"You're not answering the question."

Releasing the full force of her irritation, Juuri heatedly replied, "Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have come to apologize. You're nothing but a no good p–"

He cut her off before she could properly insult his integrity. "Apologize?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Juuri flushed, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink as she nodded slowly. Haruka mentally commented that Juuri looked even more stunning when she was embarrassed as the light pink contracted with her pearly white skin quite nicely.

"I felt guilty about upsetting you earlier so I wanted to come and apologize," she began timidly, "But if you're going to be such a pighead about it, I take it back."

Haruka raised his hands up in defense, shaking his head, his brown locks swaying side to side. "No, no, I'm sorry for teasing you so much," he said, chuckling softly. He had always found his little sister to be an especially easy target for his bantering nature.

Looking satisfied, Juuri turned around and began walking away from him. However, Haruka reached out and grabbed her thin pale arm before she could even take two steps.

When she returned his gesture with a questioning expression, he lightly answered, "I never said that I accepted your apology."

"So, do you forgive me or not?" Juuri was certainly addled now.

"I do," Haruka started, watching Juuri's lip curve into a small smile with amusement, "If you accompany me on a little…trip." That smile turned into a frown.

"A trip? What kind of trip?"

Haruka grinned deviously, trying to match the smile his mother had given him a day before. "You'll see."

"Tell me!"

"Sorry, that's physically impossible as of this moment." Juuri scowled while Haruka's amused smirk only grew wider. With her lip set at a thin line, she looked between the two of her hands, as if weighing the different options. When she looked as if she was about to decline, Haruka added, "Do you want me to accept your apology or not?"

Biting her bottom lip, Juuri grudgingly replied, "Fine, I'll accompany you."

.

"Lord Haruka, I implore you to rethink this situation," the maid beseeched, her voice never rising above the sacred tone. She walked slightly behind the two Kurans as it was required to do so by all servants, but continued to keep up with Haruka's long strides.

Haruka sighed as he ran his fingers through his silken russet locks but continued to take strides in the same direction. "My decision is final. Prepare a carriage at the main entrance." The maid paused for a small moment, the contradictions weighing upon her like a heavy boulder.

"What of Lady Kuran, Lord Haruka? She did specifically request not to let Juuri out of the house alone."

Haruka was beginning to grow tired of the game the two of them were playing. "She's not alone. I will be supervising her."

"I'm sure Lady Kuran implied that she shouldn't be let out of the house even with supervision."

Whipping around, Haruka gave the maid a lethal glare, his mahogany orbs blazing with determination. "You have no right to tell me what my mother thinks."

There was a small tug on the sleeve of his suit. Haruka turned his head and at once, his expression softened at the sight of Juuri. She had opted to change from her usual unembellished white sundress that showed far too much skin for the human world to a cream low-necked gown that opened at the front to reveal the petticoat she wore underneath it. The sleeves were elbow-length with layers upon layers of frills streaming from them. The skirt itself was simple enough, aside from the multiple layers of clothing tacked on to the bodice to produce a fuller effect. Even with the gown pulled tight against her body, it was obvious that Juuri didn't need a corset to generate the thin waist that any human woman would die for. Despite the fashion, Juuri chose to wear her hair down, as it was her favorite style. Each naturally curled ringlet bounced when she walked, pouring over her thin shoulders like a polished river. A truly ethereal beauty.

"You don't have to go through so much trouble Haruka. Go by yourself, I'll just stay home," she said, her bell-like voice lined with concern.

"Enough!" Haruka bellowed, frightening every servant within hearing distance. He turned to the speechless maid and made his demand clear, every word lined with the hidden authority of a Kuran.

"Carriage. Front Entrance. Now."

"Y-yes, Lord Haruka. Right away," the petrified maid managed to stammer before scurrying off to find the carriage driver.

Juuri gave Haruka a pointed stare. "If she had been human, you would have given her a heart attack!"

"She'll be fine. We're sturdy creatures," he replied, patting the top of her feathery locks as he ruffled his own.

"I guess," she pouted, "Is this trip really that important?"

"Yes," Haruka answered simply, smiling at Juuri.

.

As they waited, a verse crossed his mind.

You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.

The basis of human religion meant nothing to Haruka, as most of the history wasn't true, but the verse resounded in his head, reminding him of his dire situation.

He had eaten from his Tree. His own forbidden fruit.


Wow. I am sure proud of myself. Never would I think that I could finish a chapter this quickly. Truely a sight to behold :)

In any case, I hope nobody was offended in any way with that biblical reference and the comments thereafter. If I did, so sorry about that. In my defense, there was a warning, so if you didn't believe me, that was your own mistake. The title should have made it quite obvious though, if you could connect the dots. :P

Also, I've been meaning to say this for awhile now (you know me...so forgetful), but everybody is clear at what time period this is set, correct? :) If there is any speculation, the French Revolution should make it clear, its around 1789 or so. I'm deeply sorry if the speech isn't from that time, but that would take far too much research and I just don't have the patience for that. I was already racking my brain on describing the fashion. Wikipedia is my buddy :)

Anywho, regardless of the possibly obsene reference, I hope the ending didn't feel like it was cut short. I was rushing a bit (as I always am) becaue I was excited that I would be finishing so soon :) It was a real treat. The chapter was going to be longer, but then I realized that writing out the next scene would take up another page, minimum, and I didn't want to have to deal with like 7 pages of a word document. Frankly, that's pushing it a bit, don't you think?

I hope the grammar is up to par, although I didn't check the last part of the story since...I was rushing...But everything else should be spick and span. :) If there's anything thats bothering you, give me a poke, and I'll fix it straight away! :)

Also, I was planning to use this chapter to announce that I won't be able to update for awhile, but I guess since I finished so early, I can wait until the next chappie. Just in case though...

Announcement: Due to the start of school (or the nearing of school in this case), I won't be able to update as much. Updates will be even slower than usual (and I admit even that is pretty slow). However, I don't want to put this story on hold since I will be working on it, but I won't have enough time to work on it everyday like I usually do. So, basically, updates = scarse. :( Sorry!

Alright. Now that that's done, time to bid farewell! :) 'Till next time! Luna out.

P.S. COMMENT! FAV! ALERT! :) Your feedback is always most appreciated. Also please tell me if I'm moving their relationship too fast, if I need to slow it down, etc. Basically, you should comment ^^