Things start to get really long starting here... I apologize. I need to see if I can find some way to abridge this story...
Chapter Eight
"How is he?" Akira asked, hovering in the doorway later that night. He felt weak and wobbly – the mix of overwhelming fear and shock had really done him in.
"Well… he's alive," was the sigh from Shisui. "That's about all I can say. You can come over, if you want."
Slowly, the young priest made his way to the bedside. Shirogane was lying very still, his long, elegant silver hair cascading off the edges of the bed and pooling on the ground. Small splashes of red and black peppered the pure pearl… reminders of the battles earlier. He was very pale… paler than usual.
"Will he fully recover?" His voice wouldn't come any louder than a whisper. The fear of what the answer might be was squeezing his throat.
"That's up to him." Shisui rubbed his temples. He suddenly looked very old.
"What does that mean?"
"With critical wounds like this, basically the only way for him to recover is to feed on human blood. He would require less than most, but that's not the issue."
Akira was sure Shisui would follow with a comment about how human life was too precious to sacrifice to such a cause, but the bishop remained silent. After a few moments, Akira pressed, "Then what is the issue?"
He didn't want to flood Shisui with questions, but as soon as he asked one the others fled his tongue. "Why were they doing that to him? And why… why did they do as I said, without question?"
Shisui looked grieved. There was a long pause before he said quietly, "When Shirogane wakes up, ask him. He absolutely cannot refuse you now."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You saved his life. If he still refuses to answer your questions, he will discover the dire consequences."
"Shisui!"
"Ask him. He'll answer you. Please watch over him for now."
Shisui left, shutting the door to allow Akira to be alone with his guardian. The boy tentatively took Shisui's seat, scooting as close to the bedside as he dared. For a long time – and he wasn't sure the exact amount of it – he gazed at Shirogane's still face, trying to sort things out in his mind. The day was a blur. He couldn't understand almost anything of what had happened.
He wanted to hear Shirogane speak. He wanted assurance Shirogane would be okay. He didn't think he could bear to live if the vampire were to leave him now. "Shirogane…?"
No response. He waited awhile and tried again. "Shirogane?"
He kept trying, and trying. The hours passed by, and finally he was about to give up, but at his final, "Shirogane?" the blue eyes opened glazedly.
"Hm?"
"I'm sorry… I just wanted…" What did he want? "To know you'll be okay. I'm so sorry… it's my fault all of this happened to you. I ignored your warning when you know what's best… and then when you were hurt, I was stupid and took you into the cathedral on a day there would be so many –"
"Stop."
He quieted. It might have just been because Shirogane was in so much pain, but he sounded as if he was about to completely break.
"Stay here… Akira…"
"I'm here. I won't leave."
Slowly, the blue eyes closed again. Akira eased himself down by the bedside, folding his arms on the edge. He would be as close as he could manage… it was his turn to be the strength.
.oOOo.
He watched carefully from the ceiling as always. Today, a children's school had come to the cathedral. Ryuuko was playing and laughing with all the children. Shirogane rested his chin in his palm. Laughing like that, Ryuuko looked so happy… so gentle. He had a certain glow about him.
As the school left and the sun's rays were fading away, Shirogane dropped down to land right behind Ryuuko.
"So you are spying on me quite often now, aren't you Shirogane?"
"I don't really have anywhere to go now. My subjects don't listen to me."
"Then shouldn't you be back there?"
"I'm trying to avoid an explosion with Homurabi. It wouldn't be good for either of us."
"Hm."
Ryuuko turned to the altar, carefully arranging things. Shirogane bit his lip. Trying to breach the subject of returning Ryuuko to his family hadn't been working the last couple of months. Now, nearing mid-December, was probably the most perilous time of the year… the time when the nights were longest.
"You were very good with the children," Shirogane said offhandedly.
"They're so pure and happy, it's difficult to not be happy yourself. You should come try it sometime."
"I get the feeling that wouldn't go over too well with anyone."
Ryuuko laughed, and it warmed Shirogane all the way through. "No, I suppose not. But I'd like to see what effect it has on you."
"Ryuuko…" How would he say it? "Just watching you made me think…"
The bishop's smile slipped… Shirogane could feel Ryuuko's displeasure. He knew… he knew what Shirogane was about to say.
"… you're too good a person to not have a family. I still think you should resign. You would be a wonderful father, and it wouldn't be hard for you to bring up sons to be strong in the church. Right?"
A brief pause before Ryuuko turned. "I have news to share with you, Shirogane."
Sorely upset that Ryuuko was still avoiding him, Shirogane asked, "Yes?"
"I've been called to an audience with the pope."
"You what?" He was absolutely bewildered. "Who?"
"The absolute head of the church has asked to see me."
"I… when? When are you going?"
"In just a few days. I have to travel all the way to The Vatican to see him. It'll take awhile, but –"
Terror. Absolute terror. "No, you can't go."
"Shirogane –"
"If you're going, you have to take me with you."
"- what are you saying?" He looked absolutely stunned. "What do you mean?"
"This time of year is dangerous for travelling, especially that far and especially for you. You're not going."
"Shirogane… I appreciate your concern, but they know it's dangerous and I'm going to be protected –"
"Idiot!" Why was he so stubborn? Why couldn't he just listen?! "If you leave, Homurabi is going to kill you… or if not you, everyone else here!"
"That's why I'm leaving you here. To protect everyone else. I trust you –"
"You're more important! So if you're going, I –"
"Shirogane." There was that voice again… cold. He shivered. "You will stay here."
"Ryuuko!"
"You will stay. Do you understand me? You'll stay and protect everyone here."
Did Ryuuko realize just how powerful his commands were? Shirogane let out a screaming snarl before he swept out. He couldn't take this… he couldn't look Ryuuko in the face.
.oOOo.
"Shirogane… please…"
He was fading fast… Shisui was right. Just waiting was not going to heal these serious wounds. Akira didn't know what to do. Shirogane was labouring to breathe. Gripping the vampire's hand tightly, he could barely feel his pulse wavering in his fingertips.
There was only one thing to do, he realized. Casting his gaze about, it landed on the sharp corner of the bedside table. Akira took a few moments to mentally ready himself, then held onto Shirogane's hand with one of his and, gritting his teeth, struck the palm of his other hand hard against the corner. Blood instantly welled in his palm – objective achieved, Akira held his hand up to Shirogane's nose.
"Please take it, Shirogane."
The vampire recoiled, but his blue eyes, though heavily veiled, were fixed on the crimson liquid. Akira felt desperate. He couldn't lose Shirogane… if he did, he would break. He lowered his hand to Shirogane's mouth, pressing his fingertips to the vampire's lips.
"Please… I don't want to be alone… just take it!"
He could see the struggle flashing through those blue eyes. The vampire continued to resist, and Akira was resigned to cry yet again. But then, suddenly, Shirogane's lips parted, allowing Akira's fingers to slide into his mouth. The vampire's tongue played around his fingers, finding every last drop, before his tongue began finding its way towards the source. Akira let out a small, sharp gasp as Shirogane released his fingers, his lips travelling to the gash in the middle of his palm. Shirogane's sharp fangs pricked at his skin. A small shudder passed through his body.
Shirogane was already regaining colour and strength – he was fighting to sit up, to be able to get to the blood. Akira kept his hand out, palm up, allowing access, but his arm was already weighing down and getting tired. Shirogane seemed to sense it – his other hand curled around the wrist providing blood, and with a small yank Akira was hauled onto the bed. Akira let out a small yelp of surprise as Shirogane's other hand, entwined in his own, pressed him deep into the covers. Still holding Akira's offering, he laid it beside Akira's head.
Shirogane's mouth was still pressed to the wound, still drinking from it. His weight was on top of Akira now. The young priest, though his heart was pounding, found it very comfortable. Strands of silver hair trailed across his view. Sharp, aching pain was shooting through his palm as Shirogane drew from it – Akira let out a sharp moan as one shock pierced through his bones particularly sharply, and he squirmed slightly in pain under Shirogane's weight. His hand that was holding Shirogane's tightened, and the vampire squeezed back.
"Take as much as you want."
Shirogane's body was strong… Akira felt himself fading out, felt himself growing flushed. A small noise escaped him as Shirogane shifted.
"Just… don't leave me…"
It was hard to pull away… Akira was so willing. But as those last words slipped from his mouth, Shirogane forcefully pulled back. The boy was asleep, cheeks dusted heavily with red. He clasped his hand tightly around Akira's wounded one and nuzzled his face into the priest's neck, allowing his eyes to slide closed.
He had to recover, quickly.
