Hey guys thanks for the reviews, like I said they really helped. I hope everyone has been able to follow the story so far and aren't lost anywhere, hehehe. Anyway I won't keep you any longer, here's chapter four, please enjoy…
Rating: By legal rights M, but this chapter could be a K
Disclaimer: As if guys! The only thing I own is the story and the new characters.
Chapter Four
The city's lights flickered against the darkness, as night fell over Domino City like a dark velvet drape. Once again the sun had abandoned him to the fate of the moon, his ultimate pale glowing enemy that slowly ascended above him, making him seem so small and insignificant.
Glancing away from the sight that made him feel edgy and frustrated, he turned to what was his simply 'decorated' living room, which was rather empty, having only a dark and comfortable leather couch pushed up against the wall furthest from the windows and sliding door that led out onto the balcony.
A large and fluffy black cat followed him in, running through his legs as it made its way to the kitchen, swishing its tail in a common cat-like attitude.
He smiled down at the loveable stray that he had come to know as Sassy, who came and went as she pleased, and in spite of what he was, still bossed him around with a simple green glint in her eyes that almost made him want to explain his actions when he felt he had done something wrong.
However, upon entering the kitchen, he was soon met by four other stray cats that had made his home their 'home.' Only when it suited them of course…
He opened the stainless steel fridge in one swift motion, revealing its contents that wouldn't exactly be found in an average home kitchen. The top shelf was stacked with blood bags, all well labeled and in order, a sight that would send the maid screaming.
He grabbed one of the bags labeled A+ and the milk carton before slamming the door shut. Hurried along by the moaning meows that chorused in the background.
Rolling his eyes he poured the milk in a large dish as the hungrily awaiting cats dived in for the first drink, lapping it up almost as fast as he could pour it. "Jeez calm it down before you choke," he muttered as he took the carton away, "You should all sign up for milk-aholics anonymous."
Once the cats were dealt with he found a straw and stuck it into the bag, drinking it slowly but hungrily. The burning sensation in his throat slowly died down, though not completely. The pain would never go away unless he fed; something that he would never allow himself to do again.
It had been two days since he had been out and about on the town, keeping himself locked up in an apartment that was anything but large, with nothing to do but stare at the walls and bond with the neighborhood cats. Not that he minded the cats.
He had often been tempted to paint an Egyptian scene on the white plastered walls, that were so boring and plain, but thought better of it as he didn't plan to stay in Domino for long. However, his stay wasn't scheduled to be short either, and therefore the temptation hung thickly in his bored and wondering mind.
He walked into his bedroom that was in desperate need of some colour and a theme. 'Perhaps a gothic chamber look'… Although the idea appealed to him, as any idea that involved his creativity, he still wasn't sure if he should.
Then again that meant several weeks of moping around, wasting valuable hours…
Sassy rubbed against his legs, looking up at him with a wondering expression.
"What?" he asked her, taking a sip of the cold blood that tasted delicious despite its abnormal temperature.
'Meow!'
He sweat dropped before rolling his eyes and made his way to the king-sized bed. "Yeah I know life sucks." He flopped down on the covers, staring up at the ceiling with his darkly tainted crimson eyes. "Literally in my case," he whispered to himself, before taking another sip of his forbidden desire.
Maybe he would go for a walk later that evening…
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Hoping against hope that she would see him again, she found herself glancing up expectantly whenever she heard the sound of thudding footsteps walking along the sidewalk. Only to be discouraged when he never appeared.
It had been two painfully long days since she had seen him. The last time had been when Mr. Hardwick had pointed out her embarrassing habit of almost falling over the counter to catch a glimpse of him like an obsessed fan.
Okay…maybe she was losing her mind, but if losing her mind felt as good as it did, then she really didn't care.
She dismissed the thought that she may have fallen in love, mostly because she had promised herself that she never would. It wasn't that she didn't know him, because she did. All men were the same, they took what they wanted and then left. She didn't expect him to be any different, only this time she felt a stronger feeling towards him…something she had never felt before.
"Blimey is that the time already?" Mr. Hardwick's astonished voice came in through the back room.
Tea stifled a giggle, "It's only seven, Mr. Hardwick," she said, checking her wristwatch.
Mr. Hardwick emerged in his usual overfriendly spirit that made him such a good toy-store owner. "And yet the night is still young and beautiful for a beautiful girl such as yourself, why don't you leave early tonight and leave me to lock up."
Tea glanced at him in protest. "Oh no that's okay I can stick around for the remaining hour, no sweat!" she said through her best smile.
"Oh pish-posh, a young lass such as yourself should be out having fun with your friends, and I believe that it is my duty to decline your decline and literally shove you out of this store if needed!" He said through his cheerful grin that warmed her up inside.
"My-my Mr. Hardwick, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you wanted to get rid of me," Tea joked, crossing her arms playfully across her chest.
Mr. Hardwick smiled mysteriously, peering at her from over his glasses. "Well I have a satanic ritual to perform tonight down in the basement," he said through a chuckle, "Unless you want to join of course? Maybe you'd like the honour of calling upon the devil?"
Tea gave a stiff laugh at his joke. "Ha! Ha! Mr. Hardwick, very funny, you know that I don't approve of animal killings." She rolled her eyes, though remaining in good humor at the older man's joke.
He laughed along with her, before regaining a fatherly affectionate composure. "Go on, be a teenager for once, after all, you're only eighteen."
She gave him a pondering look, before reluctantly agreeing. "Okay, but only because I don't want to get in the way of your ritual tonight," she joked, joining in with his light-hearted laughter.
He soon stopped and tilted his head slightly to the side as though he had heard something, and then smiled joyously.
"What is it Mr. Hardwick?" Tea asked curiously.
He remained smiling and then gently raised a hand to clutch her wrist. "Go on now my dear before the hour is up," he said while gently guiding her towards the front door. Before she had a chance to say anything he opened the door for her, gesturing for her to walk out. "I'll see you tomorrow."
She struggled to turn around to face him as she found herself been gently pushed out the doorway. "But Mr. Hardwick-" for some reason she tripped and began to fall backward in slow motion, until a pair of strong arms caught her around the waist and hoisted her up.
"Oh gosh I'm such a klutz, thanks for-" she turned to face her rescuer, only to have her pulse race three times its normal speed.
"Don't mention it," he answered kindly, his fiery red eyes unreadable, though his tone was calmly collected and indescribably charming.
It was him!
She forced herself to speak, even though his presence made her incapable of speaking or thinking, and quite frankly the dark tinge added to his eyes made him seem like he was peering into her soul rather than just skimming briefly over her assets.
"Of course I have to mention it, you saved me from what was sure to be one heck of a bruise tomorrow morning, I owe you my life," she joked, nervously brushing away a few rebel bangs that threatened to cover her eyes.
'Interesting choice of words,' he thought as he observed the young beauty before him that seemed no younger than himself. "Well it's not everyday that I get to save a damsel in distress."
She felt herself blush; only she hoped that he couldn't see it.
"This city must be pretty boring for you then," she joked lightly.
He smirked, it was almost as if she knew. "Quite."
She quickly stumbled for something to say, but only one thing came out. "I'm Tea. Tea Gardner!" she chocked, as air lodged itself in her throat. She tried not to cough even though she couldn't breathe and her eyes were beginning to water.
"I'm Yami…Amamri," it was the only surname he could think of, yet strangely he felt guilty for it. She suddenly coughed, trying her best to control it, but failed miserably, giving in to a series of unavoidable little gags until she could eventually breathe again, all the while thinking the same worried thoughts that he couldn't help but smile at.
'OMG this is so embarrassing! He totally wants to run! Oh gosh why does God hate me? This is so not cute!' she thought miserably as she coughed, unaware that her thoughts were been read.
"I'm sorry," she coughed with a hand firmly placed over her mouth.
He gave a low chuckle and took a small step forward. "Don't be," he said softly, allowing his expression to soften slightly, which she gladly appreciated. "Thanks…again," she added, amazed by how handsome and ultimately breath taking he looked.
Reading her thoughts about him sent alarm bells ringing through his body and he quickly decided to end it there and there before things got 'complicated.'
"I must apologize, but unfortunately my presence was requested somewhere else somewhat ten minutes ago and I have been running a little late," he said politely, flashing a tiny smile.
Her eyes widened in realization. "Oh of course, sorry for keeping you," she gushed sheepishly taking a side step to move out of his way.
"Not at all, besides I'm sure we'll run into each other again," he smiled, almost sad to leave her.
A look of hope glittered amongst her lovely blue orbs. "Yeah I'm sure we will."
He nodded once before casually disappearing down the road, opposite of where she was heading.
As she watched him leave, the feeling of- well, passion for life, washed over her like a tidal wave, as though something she had waited for her whole life had finally made its appearance. Maybe she had waited for him or maybe she was just playing a game with herself.
Either way, she couldn't help but smile…something she hadn't done in a very long time.
Sooooooo, what do you guys think? Can't wait to hear. Friendly reminder that all reviews are appreciated and welcome. :D see you guys later.