The Fatal Toxic – Chapter 8
Haruka
Warning: Mature language and dark themes
"Haruka…"
Her voice was blessed with the golden songs of heavenly angels. Each time she had uttered his name during their time together, it was as if she was caressing the word on her enchanted tongue, filling it with affection and admiration. Her skin felt like silk under his fingers, her touch like gentle whispers, and her smile like a ray of pure sunshine. She had loose, glossy curls that were a lighter shade than the dark hues of his family, and when he ran his hand through them, they would spill over the skin in small streams of auburn ringlets. Whist Juuri still had the thin body of a child, her figure had filled out—a blossoming flower at the prime of its divine beauty.
He shifted her position from where she was nestled against his broad chest so he could admire her exquisite features more plainly. "Yes, Akira?"
She lowered her deep turquoise orbs, and Haruka could discern the individual dark lashes that framed her exquisite round jewels. "I remind you of Juuri-sama, don't I?" Her whisper was like a delightful melody to his ears.
Indeed, her resemblance to his beloved sister was almost uncanny, but not in appearance. Like Juuri, he could never detect any polluted thoughts within the clear crevasses of her pure mind and was reassured that she would never spew distasteful lies at him. She was tender and comforting, and soothed his ever-darkening days.
"You do, and very much so. I hope you aren't angry with me for admitting this," he whispered against her petal-like flesh, meeting her understanding eyes.
"Not at all. I can tell each time you look at me. Your eyes are filled with unbridled love, but at the same time, they are far away, as if you are thinking of something else. " Her hand fluttered to his neck in alluring gentleness, and when he softly swept it away, there was a deep longing for her touch for he had long forgotten how kindness felt like.
He looked down at her regretfully, stroking her dark, velvet tresses without care. "I apologize for calling you to my room only to ask you to restrain yourself, Akira. My scent must be dancing circles inside your head. Perhaps if the situation was different, we could be closer—"
"Do you regret it?"
Haruka stared into her clear, cerulean eyes as he freely caressed her soft cheek with light strokes. "Regret what?"
"Choosing to go after Juuri-sama's heart," she explained plainly, relaxing into his tender touch.
"No," Haruka whispered, his dark eyes distant and unseeing, like a wandering spirit searching for eternal sleep, "Never."
"Then don't be sorry, Haruka."
As his mind refocused, he met her radiant and smiling face. Perhaps it was because of her maturity and vast experience, but she could always comfort him with a simple gesture or a single smile, and listen to his distressing troubles with pliant understanding.
"Besides," she murmured quietly, hoisting herself off his chest to speak to him directly, "I see you as a friend…a good friend, but not as a lover." Her pink lips tilted into another smile as her sparkling blue eyes seemed to penetrate his soul. "I am content with this relationship we have. We are free to enjoy each other's company without the complications of having an affair."
Haruka closed his eyes, soaking in her sensible words, feeling unusually liberated, as if a hefty weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "You are truly wise beyond your years, Akira. I am glad we had the chance to meet."
She placed a warm kiss on his left cheek, brushing her lips against the pale skin for a mere fraction of a second as she slid off his legs, retrieving her coat on the edge of the bed. "As am I, Haruka. When will you be leaving?"
"I depart for the mansion tomorrow an hour after sunrise. I'm afraid this will be the last time we will see each other during my stay. Will you be here next time, Akira?" he inquired, eyeing her movements as she pulled the long sleeves over her creamy skin. He would truly miss her for she showered him with an affection that he had long been deprived of since childhood.
Akira swiftly curtsied as her lengthy gown swept against the floor, rivulets of watery curls pouring over her shoulders. "If that is what you wish, my Lord, then it shall be. I'll be here waiting for you," she teased playfully, sliding into her heels. "Have faith, Haruka. She will come to love you as much as you dearly love her."
"Thank you. Your words give me a confidence that I've never had. I will see you next time."
He rose and they exchanged a fleeting embrace, then Akira left the room, leaving Haruka alone with nothing except her lingering sweet scent and his own decayed feelings.
.
The level E darted towards him, claws out stretched, sin and bloodlust oozing from the dark depths of her tainted crimson eyes. He jumped back, evading her assault easily, and curiously accessed the darkness that shrouded her dead, beaten heart like a fatal toxic, clouding all reason and clarity.
However, her attacks were carefully calculated and she relied more on cunning than brute strength, indicating that she had not yet succumbed to the futile struggle with the satanic monster lurking deep within her putrid soul.
They glided past one another in perfect accuracy, gracefully dodging the other's lethal swipes—a dance of Death.
Haruka felt pity and sympathy leak into his bitter heart for her having to bear the unsightly, disgusting side of the vampire race while his family and friends basked in the warm glow of grace and wealth. Like a sacrificial lamb, her ill-fated life would end today while his status rose in society for her death.
However remorseful, Haruka knew he had to exterminate her, to crush the egg before a venomous serpent could hatch from the comatose state and show its true, demonic form.
He raised a wrist to his lips, inhaling the sweet, seductive odor, and sank his fangs into the soft flesh along the thin, cursed veins. The air was immediately plunged with its metallic scent, as the shaky tendrils twisted around various objects, seeking for something in which to cling onto. Blood seeped through the white scar in small maroon streams as three vermilion roses blossomed on the stone at his feet. Haruka ripped the sharp fangs from his punctured skin, extending his wrist over the stone and clenched his fist.
One…two…three more sinful roses joined the rest.
There was a strangled cry—a wail akin to that of a weeping banshee—from the level E and a dreadful snarl rippled through her throat, red pupils glowing under the weak moonlight with impassioned bloodlust.
She began to lunge—
—but a hideous beast suddenly rose up from the puddle of blood that had been at his feet, as if it had been summoned from inside the damned, iron gates of the Underworld to wreak havoc upon mortal souls. His blood clung to the monster, turning black and sticky, running down its sides in thick, dark streams. The devilish fiend howled, a sound more cruel and petrifying than Death itself, and obediently waited for the command from its Master.
Haruka gave a silent nod.
It was a lengthy second before the level E began to run, but that was a second too late. The monster pounced her, smearing decayed blood on the stone walls, coating them with its suffocating vengeance, and created a scene that likened to Hell. She was thrown against the wall roughly, the infernal creature's sharp teeth mercilessly piercing the milky flesh, as the level E wailed in agony.
Haruka glided over to her and stepped around the pools of syrupy sanguine fluid, like a harbinger of death—a shinigami.
"Tell me who your Master is," he questioned evenly, lifting her bloodied face to meet his dark orbs.
The same question had fallen out of his soft lips nearly a dozen times that day, and he had yet to receive a proper answer. He knew the bond between Master and servant was nearly impossible to break for the blood that coursed through her thin veins was not hers, and that alone shackled and degraded her to a mere animal.
What amazed Haruka was the flicker of doubt that flashed across her scarlet irises, but it was hastily washed away by a tide of pure devotion.
"I'll be exterminated either way, so I why should I tell you?" She chocked out a strangled laugh. "You're powerless to stop it. Master will destroy the monarchy."
Haruka's lip twitched with irritation, but he said kept it under a tight seal.
He turned to leave, addressing the beast indifferently. "Kill her."
The inhuman shriek that she emitted continued to echo hauntingly in his ears even after her body had shattered into sand.
He had not taken two steps before a young blonde man materialized behind him, matching his faint footfalls like an obedient shadow.
"Daisuke." Haruka finally addressed the thin lanky man when they had left the bloody scene and walked in swift, wind-like steps the carriage waiting for them at the end of the street.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Haruka turned to the noble that he had come to familiarize with and gave him a small frown. "You may call me Haruka when we are away from the prying eyes of the public. Even servants from the mansion do not address my family in such a formal manner."
"Of course…Haruka," Daisuke pronounced the name with difficulty as such casualness had fallen into disuse.
The Kuran nodded, giving his friend a gentle smile that he never dared to show in front of other, more obnoxious nobles, "Were there any human witnesses to the level E extermination?"
"No," Daisuke answered immediately, walking in line with Haruka to better explain. "Humans within audible distance have had their memories sealed and locked away. I personally saw to this myself."
"Good. Have the team clean up the mess before others notice."
They fell into silence again until the two men arrived at the awaiting carriage, the patterned, ornate door already opened by a polished butler from his father's building outpost in Portugal. Haruka stepped in first, and settled into his usual seat by the window, shielding his sensitive eyes from the rosy peaks of the sun that had just begun to emerge from the plain horizon. Daisuke sat across from him, resting his slender fingers on his lap, and fumbled his sleeve nervously.
"Have we gained any new information from other level E's?" Haruka said without peeling his mahogany orbs from the greenery that passed him fleetingly as the carriage rolled on the cobblestone path.
Daisuke shook his head, feathery, flaxen tresses falling over his emerald eyes in a thin veil as his hands tightened on his lap in annoyance. "Our team has extracted no new information from the level E's exterminated today. They have all claimed that their supposed 'Master' will overthrow the monarch and despite our efforts, their numbers have increased steadily. Most of the members of the Touma, Shoutou, and Ouri family have already been interrogated and none have shown hostility towards Kuran rule."
"So, in simplistic terms, we are running out of options," Haruka said quietly, watching the shadows dance across the landscape, hiding behind the thick bark of aging trees to avoid the searing sunlight as a flicker of frustration ran across the contours of his lovely face.
"What will you tell Lord Kuran?" Daisuke spoke carefully, knowing well that he was treading through treacherous and deep waters by mentioning Haruka's father.
There was a minor, strained pause before the answer.
"Father is a man who expects results. He is neither merciful nor lenient," the young Kuran mused with detached interest, "but what other information can I discharge to him other than the truth?"
Haruka sighed wearily, fatigue gently lining his exquisite appearance, and grimaced at the deadly rays scorching his tender skin as he pulled the thick curtain closed, shrouding the carriage in darkness.
.
The carriage brought him to his father's building before the fiery sphere had fully risen from the depths of the deep horizon. The structure was monotonous and drab compared to the aureate walls of the Kuran mansion, and Haruka was immediately ushered into a heavily ornamented waiting room.
After telling Daisuke to wait in the carriage, Haruka settled into a cushioned chair, lifting a dainty cup of freshly brewed tea to his lips. He inhaled the refreshing scent and took a small sip. The burning liquid slid down his throat—a poor substitution to blood—and scorched the muscled passage ruthlessly.
When he had taken a few more meager drops of the unsatisfying substance, his sharp hearing caught wind of an acrimonious conversation. He recognized his father's caustic tone, but to Haruka's astonishment, the Kuran head was chastising his divine brother—one who was usually praised and adored. It was wicked to eavesdrop on an evidently private conversation, but such seclusion was not a blessing the Kuran family could readily indulged in.
"Are you fully aware of the repercussions your carelessness has caused? We maybe very well be at the brink of war with the Hunter Society!" His father's usually cold and calculating demeanor was replaced by bloody rage and Haruka was unsure of which he was more fearful of.
"I don't understand the source of your fury, Father. I did nothing wrong," Rido boldly—or idiotically—retorted, exaggerating his words with a saccharine undertone, almost as if he was a brash and intoxicated human.
There was an agonizing smash of fist against flimsy wood as Haruka barely restrained his flinch. "Nothing wrong? Need I remind you that you arrived at the Hunter Society intoxicated? Or when you met the president, you fucking spat in his face and called him the 'disgusting and unnatural interbreed of humans and vampires'?"
Haruka was taken aback by the discovery of this rebellious, more uncouth side of Rido that stemmed so far from his belief that his brother was a stiff gentleman. Callous words continued to echo beyond the closed door but Haruka willed himself to focus on the chiseled rose that twisted around his tea cup.
When the great doors slammed with a violent tremor, Haruka nearly spilt the remains of the sweet tea, but kept his face particularly indifferent as Rido walked into the plain room, his menacing aura snapping at innocent objects. Haruka's teacup fractured with a horrifying crack.
"Rido," Haruka acknowledged without turning his head, as glistening ochre strands created a thin curtain in front of his eyes that shielded him from Rido's deadly gaze.
"Haruka," Rido replied and visibly pushed aside his anger to force a heavenly smile, "How are you?"
"Quite fine. And you, brother? You seem to be having a rough day," Haruka remarked carelessly with more concern than bitter distain.
Rido rested his hard gaze on him, scrutinizing Haruka's challenging tone. "It is nothing that concerns you."
Haruka did not speak for a moment. He remembered a younger Rido who used to rouse Haruka from the ocean of sleep to take him to a magical place deep in the forest behind the mansion where they often pretended to be scurvy pirates on a voyage for lost treasure, valiant knights slaying an atrocious dragon, or two boys complaining to each other about a harsh reality. The memories of this younger, kinder Rido caused his cold heart to clench uncomfortably, as if a gallant sword had speared it.
"Are we not brothers? When did I lose the privilege of knowing what troubles you?" Haruka spoke hoarsely, dejection lining his features.
"When you and that bitch turned Father against me. When you decided to take my bride," Rido hissed softly, "You were not content with living under my shadow, so you and Mother plotted to steal my birthright from me."
"That's not true!" Haruka shook his head, imploring Rido to think rationally.
"Then why did go to Mother? Why did you ask her for Juuri's hand?" Rido demanded, "You've wanted her all along, didn't you? Since she was born, you played good little brother so you could take her away from me. Isn't that right, Haruka?"
"No," Haruka defended, "I didn't want to marry her. Not until…recently."
Rido glared at Haruka with his icy-hot gaze, and began to leave.
"I will make you regret this decision. From that day you spoke with the greedy bitch, you became my enemy. Soon I will exact my revenge and kill you with my own hands, Haruka. I will not accept defeat from a pathetic brother that was never supposed to be born."
The mahogany doors slammed shut, and a fresh web of cracks formed on the smooth porcelain glass of his teacup.
.
Haruka entered the dark and murky study, pulling on the serpentine knob and closed the door behind him to sever the glimpse of light that had leaked into the chamber.
He sat down silently, waiting respectfully for Father to address him as his russet orbs roamed over the leather-bound tomes resting on the heavy bookshelves that discussed complicated and intricate subjects. Playful shadows created by a lone candle danced across the worn spines, scattering mindlessly over the gray walls in glee.
His genteel father sat sternly behind the desk, leafing through a pile of tiresome documents, the soft lines of mental stress making him appear to have broken the immortal curse plaguing their sweet blood.
"Haruka," he began, setting his pen down to rub his eyes warily, "please inform me you have a bit of good news to brighten this dreary day."
Haruka uneasily shifted in his seat, lowering his eyes to hide behind the feathery, long eyelashes so his father could not interpret his emotions so readily.
"Actually Father, my men have informed me that the amount of level E's have grown slowly but steadily. There are abnormal groups in Portugal, England, Spain, and Italy. All level E's that have been exterminated have referred to a single master, which leads us to believe that he has a number of accomplices serving under him to control such a large amount of vampires," he replied with a professional quality, meeting his father's searching gaze without flinching.
A small sigh escaped his father's lips, as he ran a hand through his short locks, and quietly inquired, "Have you questioned the pureblood families yet?"
"Yes, we are currently working on it," Haruka nodded, deciding which vital pieces would be the safest to reveal, "So far, there has yet been a viable suspect. I apologize for not having more useful information, Father."
"I cannot blame you, Haruka," the King admitted, resting his chin on top of his clasped hands, fixing his predatory gaze on his younger, gentler son, "This is a difficult assignment indeed. However, I have another task for you. You must correct your brother's failure by signing the treaty with the Hunter Society in his stead. Can I trust you with this?"
"Yes, Father," he replied simply.
"Good. I expect you to finish this before you return to the mansion," his father paused, and began again with a displeased, unsympathetic tone, "Your brother has been acting strangely as of late. His erratic behavior at the treaty signing was enough to prove that it would be unwise to trust him with vital assignments. As my second son, you are to take his place. This entails that you are expected to be present at certain meetings with the Hunter Society, human ambassadors from various countries, and other leaders as well as document signings. However, this may mean that there will be less time to spend at the mansion. Do you accept these responsibilities, Haruka?"
"…Yes, I accept them."
.
"What of Juuri-sama, Haruka?" Daisuke spoke in a hushed tone, his young and delicate visage bearing a troubled expression as his eyebrows knitted together. His warm breath caressed the chilly morning air, and radiant emerald eyes darted back and forth, cautious of what delicious pieces of information could be heard by unwelcome ears.
"I do not know, my friend," Haruka breathed softly, his vermilion lips set in a deep frown. "I can not afford to break the thread of a relationship I have managed to build up with my father, nor can I easily give up my prospects of marrying Juuri."
The Kuran prince sighed desolately, tapping a polished shoe on the cobblestone path and winced slightly as the bright flaming ball rose higher over the flat horizon, burning his vulnerable skin. "Perhaps a useful answer will come to me during the ride. Come, Daisuke. We must arrive at the Hunter Society before supper."
He stepped into the carriage, instructed the driver to stop at the Hunter Society's headquarters, and closed his eyes, allowing himself a few precious moments of much needed rest.
"Haruka…" Daisuke hesitantly parted his mouth in the tranquil silence, just as Haruka's dark orbs opened into narrowed, weary slits.
He lifted his head off the hard surface of the window frame, wild and unruly locks blocking his field of vision, and looked out the glassy panel, noticing he had only closed his eyes for mere minutes.
"What is it?" Haruka prompted, finding it difficult to keep the poisonous irritation out of his musical voice.
"There is a woman on the end of the street," Daisuke replied slowly, "She seems to be waiting for you."
Akira. Haruka sat up straighter, blinking back tired tears, and slid across the seat to peer out the opposite window.
The morning glow stung his lovely face and temporarily blinded him from the intensity of its radiance, but he could make out the delicate, hazy silhouette of a woman. As the carriage moved closer, Haruka began to make out certain features: her glossy brunette ringlets and the pale turquoise of her round, innocent eyes. She stood at the end of the paved road, transfixed on the advancing stagecoach, their eyes locked for a fraction of a second as it rolled past, and Haruka caught the faintest tilt of her pink, plump lips before they turned.
She will come to love you as much as you dearly love her.
"Yes. She will," Haruka whispered in such a hushed voice that only he could hear the frail wisps of air.
Disclaimer: VK does not, under any circumstance, belong to me.
That was close. I really thought I wouldn't be able to be done before Christmas. Thank you, winter break.
Now, I feel there will be a controversy over whether Akira and Haruka are merely friends or something more along the lines of 'friends with benefits'. You may interpret it any way you like but know that Haruka is NOT 'cheating' on Juuri. The point was to contrast Rido's reckless behavior with Haruka's more controlled one. And it was also to compare how they both have changed over time. Thank you for understanding. :)
Anyway, I want this A/N to be relatively short so I'll just touch on one more thing. I'm terribly sorry for the horrible writing towards the last section. As you can probably tell, I was rushing and I don't write well under pressure. Also, I feel there was a lot more conversation in this chapter than any other, and it just made my head hurt writing all of it. I don't like conversations. They lack description.
Haha, enough of my complaints. Happy Holidays everybody! Please keep on reading! :)
P.S. I'm sure I've mentioned this before...If the time span seems to be more than 2 weeks, thats probably because it is. Those two weeks were subject to change depending on how long the story was going to be. I will accurately calculate it after I'm done and make the necessary changes. Thanks again.
Luna! God, I'm tired.
