Chapter Nine

Vampires Really Do Suck

"Will~!"

"Please refrain from your complaining at me, Grell, I have enough of a headache as it is,"

"But Will! She's got my chainsaw!"

"What I would so very much like to know is how you have that back after it's been taken away over three times now,"

"Th-That's not important!" Grell pointed at me while still looking at William, "She's got my precious death scythe!"

"That is not my problem. Good day to you, Mister Sutcliff, Miss Taylor,"

Will exited the room, leaving Grell to slowly turn around, and glare at me. I swear on my spork, there were stars of battle in his eyes. I gulped. Oh dear God…

"You…" He said, walking towards me, "Give. It. Back."

I stuck my head up indignantly, "Not until you give me back my braid,"

That's right.

He did the almighty impossible.

Grell stole my braid.

Nobody does that.

"Tch, that's what this is about? My gorgeous death scythe over your rainbow-trout of a hairpiece?"

"Well…yeah,"

Grell smirked, leaning his hip to one side and tossing the colorful bundle up and down in his hands, "But I don't mind this look on you, dear. Short hair suits you,"

I blushed, glaring at him, "I don't like it. I feel…exposed. Give me back my braid, or you don't get your chainsaw,"

"You honestly think you're stronger than me, darling?"

"No, but I know I'm faster,"

"Wha-HEY! GET BACK HERE!"

OOOOOOoooooOOOOOO

"…Why'd you have to catch me, stupid?"

"One, don't call a lady stupid, secondly, it's because you are not faster than me at all," Grell said as he bopped my on the head with his blade. I clutched my head as I looked up at him.

"That hurt, retritchore!"

"OH DO STOP WITH THAT SILLY WORD!"

Grell flew at me with his chainsaw which I easily dodged and retaliated back by thrusting at him with my death scythe.

Which, if you happened to forget…

Was a spork.

Grell easily swept away my weapon and threw his at me again, which I barely dodged and did a flip back to avoid. Grell chuckled and sped again, his red hair haloing him as the reaper thrust his chainsaw down. I had no choice but to fall, twisting my body soon enough that I only was cut a small amount.

Grell chuckled sadistically as he leaned over his weapon, dipping his finger in my small amount of blood and licking it. I groaned. Just, a little normal…please?

"I'm still not giving you your braid back darling. Not until you apologize," He picked up his chainsaw with the ease of lifting a kitten (albeit a bloody kitten) and started to walk away. I cursed and looked at my side, which had already stopped bleeding.

"Oh my!" I heard a voice from behind me, "This is what you and your mentor do in your spare time?"

Miller was that person, running up to me with important looking papers in his arms. Grell froze in his dramatic exit, turning around to stare at him.

"Are you okay?" Miller asked me, worried, "I saw you get scratched, what an awful red wound,"

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

"MILLLER~" Grell called, leaping towards the unfortunate blond with outstretched arms. Miller yelled and shielded himself while Grell successfully flew right over his head.

"Ow~" Was heard from the red drag queen.

"Sorry bout that," I said, walking over to him, "He gets like that,"

While Miller's cheeks were red from seeing Grell, his eyes widened. With one, shaky finger, she slowly pointed to Grell, whispering with either admiration or horror,

"That's a man?"

I grimaced. Oops.

"Uh…yeah…sorry…"

"Oh no, don't be…" Miller said, smiling and rubbing the back of his head, "Quite relieved, I am,"

I let that sink in for a moment.

Relieved.

Relieved…

RELIEVED.

"Wait…you're gay too?"

He nodded. I heard a slightly muted "OH YES~" from the background.

Rubbing my head, I sighed, "You finally did it, Grell,"

As if on cue (screw that, we all know he plans these things) Grell popped up, running to Miller and nuzzling into his shoulder where I know, for certain, that strange little hearts were coming out. Miller's face was completely red by now as Grell cooed away. I giggled.

"I'll give you some alone time…"

I was about to walk out when Will came in again, his no-nonsense poker face on as he shifted his glasses with his nosepickers. Grell did say they were something else, though…what was it…

"Not so fast," He said boredly, "You have another assignment, Miss Taylor," He walked closer to me so he wouldn't have to boom his voice across the room, "As you are the top student in your class, only obtaining one B in practical fighting-"

"I didn't trip, he threw a frickin' rock at me,"

"You are assigned to the more difficult missions. Your soul this time happens to be the soul of a certain politician, who would be dying of alcohol poisoning today. Simply determine if he should live or die, and report back, understand?"

I nodded, but was still skeptical, "Will," I called, making him stop, "What's do difficult about this mission? It doesn't seem too hard,"

Will sighed, his glasses glinting in the bright lighting and mysteriously hiding his eyes, "The only way for you to get there is to travel through a very…strange place,"

I sighed, leaning to one side, "Will, my life is a strange place. Spill it,"

He scowled, "I do not approve of your language, but it is a place of one of the most disgraceful supernatural beings,"

"What are they?"

"Vampires,"

I froze. Even Grell stopped giggling from the background.

"Really?"

"Yes. Now be on your way, and take that idiot reaper with you. Good day," He nodded his head briskly and marched off. I sighed after the doors closed. So much for another day off…

"Come on Grell, let's g- GRELL!"

"What?"

Grell looked so innocent, oh yes he did, and would have been perfect- if not for the fact that he was sitting on a dizzy-looking Miller. Poor guy.

"Grell…" I growled, stomping over to him. I grabbed his hair and started to drag him out the door by it, "Come on, you damn flirt,"

"OW~"

"Suck it up!"

OOOOOOoooooOOOOOO

Alright, so no vampires as of yet.

Nope.

None at all.

Grell was enough to deal with.

"Hello there~" He said, winking at the passerby man. He shivered and turned away. Grell pouted but was not put off.

"Grell," I sighed, "How do you expect to get anywhere with Miller if you keep throwing yourself at other men? Isn't that like cheating?"

Grell sighed like I was an incompetent student, tapping my nose with his pointer finger strictly.

"Learn, Coyote darling, that loving more than one person is not cheating unless you are trying to keep it a secret. Nobody cheats openly at a game, do they? No, this is simply sharing your love with everybody! It's an act of kindness!"

He threw his hand into the air and posed dramatically, random red roses falling all around him. He then put that hand to his head, feigning pain, "If I couldn't do that much, what kind of reaper would I be?"

I thought about it.

"A single one,"

"Exactly,"

Grell got up like nothing happened and started walking alongside me. But, the thing was, he was close. Too close. Waaaay to close for the predatory-gay-grell. I'm serious here; his arm was practically around my waist!

"Grell…" I said, catching his attention, "What are you doing?"

He rose an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're sticking kinda close to me, is all…" I looked down. I didn't want to be some cheesy, innocent, girly heroine, but I don't like being close to men like…this!

"We are near the vampires, and you have no clue as to how to defend yourself, darling~" Grell looked at me for a blank moment, then smirked, leaning down and bringing his face close to mine, "Oh…" He said with a voice that resembled the Cheshire Cat, "Do you always squirm like this when in the presence of the opposite sex?"

I could tell he was enjoying this.

"But, Grell," I said, leaning back, which he didn't allow, "Aren't you a woman?"

He shrugged, then winked at me and put his hand in his signature death sign, "Only when it suits me, darling," He then grinned once more, showing his shark teeth, "Making you shiver like this is rather amusing, but because you're my friend I won't tease you, dear," He stood back up and continued walking, though his hand was still around my waist.

If I had better hearing, I might have heard him mutter something under his breath, "Much,"

This side of town was eerily quiet. Windows were boarded up, streets were empty, and the only signs of life were the stray cats mewing up and down the corners. My arms itched to pick one up, but since they were currently occupied with escaping Grell's, that wasn't an option.

Grell suddenly stopped, bringing me to a halt as well. He licked his lips, showing his pointy teeth.

"They're here,"

Sure enough, I started to see dark shadows dart across the alleyways, only catching a small glimpse of them has they scattered about. I sighed.

"They won't be attacking us, right?" I ask, "They can't come out in sunlight, they'll burn-"

"HELLO~"

"GYAH!"

I was wrong.

A young man's figure approached me, his hat kept low and dark cloak fluttering about. His hands were gloved, but the only skin I saw- his face, was extremely pale, but one thing about it made me happy.

He didn't sparkle.

"Hello," He said again, drawing closer to me, "Oh, what do two beautiful roses such as you find to be doing on such a wonderful day?"

I leaned in closer. Not because I liked him, but because I was really curious as to how he wasn't…well…burning…

"Oh~" He said, smirking at me, "It appears I have already attracted a maiden, look as she draws closer to my elegant form. What is your name, maiden?" He leaned in too, before I realized what I was doing.

"Dude…" I said slowly, not noticing the fact that my neck was very, very exposed, "Why the hell are you…" I trailed off, still amazed by it. Vampire man chuckled darkly and waltzed around Grell and I, putting two of his fingers on a certain spot on my neck.

"Why?" He asked, a slight French accent in his words, "Why is the question to so many things…why am I so handsome? So charming? So sensual? Why am I-"

"Dude, why are you not burning?"

"…Oh,"

By now, it wasn't me who noticed the vampire-man's fingers at my neck. Don't ask me how, but that guy was pale, okay? He was frickin' pale. That's bound to distract somebody.

No, it wasn't me who noticed. No, it was Grell.

"Darling~" He said, pulling me closer to him and politely glaring at Vampy-Man, "Pay more attention to what's going on in the world around you. Here you are, leaving your neck wide open, with vampires around no less!"

He flipped his hair, shooting sultry glances at the man in question, "My apprentice is off limits, dear, but I do say that I'm quite…available…" He giggled, "My blood isn't very tasty, sadly, but I've heard that my lips taste like fine wine itself!" He licked his lips, "Oh…seems that I'm right…"

Vampy-Man was wide-eyed at Grell, who, by his voice, apparently just discovered that he was a man. Honestly…people…

"Oh, cruel fate~!" The man suddenly said, becoming Grell and laying dramatically on the ground, "Why, mistress fate, have you cursed me to court another male, under the guise of a woman?! Why? But…" He suddenly sprang back to life, grabbing my hand and looking straight into me with his eyes, which I now saw were a beautiful, dark, blue…

"But," He continued, and I found myself unable to look away, "Mistress Fate his gifted me with another true beauty, with eyes of emerald and short locks of chestnut brown hair…" He lifted it to his nose and sniffed it, "What is the name of such grace?"

I found myself compelled to answer him, "C-Coyo-"

"I said she was off-limits!" Grell spat, drawing me to his chest and baring his teeth at Vampy-Man, "Darling," He said, "Don't tell this man your name with your own lips, or else you will be his slave. Believe me, I've to reap so many souls because of it," He cursed and brought his other arm out in front of me, shielding me. I now added another reason to blush to my incredible long list of 'Why Grell Makes Me Blush Even Though He's Gay,'

"Well…you've passed the test I suppose," Said Vampy-Man, smirking, "So you alone may pass, strange fellow in red. You know our secrets,"

Grell smiled, and loosened his grip on me, "Well, then, I'm glad we see eye to ey-"

Before I registered what was happening I was tugged out of Grell's grasp and into Vampy-Man's, who's arms slithered around me with his chin exploring the base of my neck.

"As long as you leave her behind," He licked me, HE LICKED MEEEE! "We need a little snack,"

Grell was frozen solid, looking back and forth from me to the man. I struggled, but his grip was almost as strong as Grell's, and he chuckled as he nipped my ear.

Nipped.

He. Nipped. My. Ear.

"Hehe…Hehehe…" I started chuckling myself, head kept low and eyes to the ground, "Hehehaha..oh…you've done it now…"

He was confused, "What, my fair maiden?"

"I AM NOT A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS! LEMME WHOOP YOUR ASS, YOU GODFORSAKEN HELL-SPAWN!" I shot up, slamming his chin with the crown of my head and flipping over to choke-hold him, "THAT'LL TEACH YOU TO MESS WITH A GRIM REAPER, BASTARD!" When he started to make sounds of defeat, I released him, but only to knee him in the back.

I ran around to Grell, who was looking at me proudly, if not a little shocked. He reached up his hand and patted me on the head, before sprinting off past Vampy-Man. I followed suit, and thought one thing.

Now I see why I hate Twilight.

OOOOOOoooooOOOOOO

"That…" I said, panting, "Was the most…disturbing…thing…ever…" I leaned on my knees, and continued breathing to try and get air back in my lungs. Grell hadn't even broken a sweat, and stood there smirking at me.

"I'm quite proud of you, darling," He said, cocking his head and tilting my chin up, "You've become quite a bit stronger since I first met you,"

I giggled, standing up and brushing off his hand, which he stuck his tongue out at, "Or maybe you've become weaker?" I started walking towards the politician's house. Grell followed suit, rapping me on the head.

"Darling, please, for me to become weaker would be like for Bassie to become less handsome! It's just impossible~" He put his hands together and spun around. I laughed.

"You just love everyone, don't you, Grell?"

To my surprise and confusion, he stopped so suddenly that I literally thought somebody hit the pause button on life, and stared at me, wide-eyed. I stood still, wondering if I did something wrong, but there Grell was, frozen and looking straight at me. But, then, he smiled, and I couldn't tell if it was real or if he was hiding something from me.

"You know, darling…" He cocked his head, "I think I do,"

I rose an eyebrow. He sure was weird.

"Whatever," I said, shrugging, "Let's go see this politician dude. I never met a politician, have you?" I asked casually as we strolled down the gardened pathway. Grell sighed and put his hands behind his back, twirling around.

"Oh, darling~" He said, winking, "Let me tell you of the glorious time when I was assigned my first person of the political persuasion," He blushed and sighed, "It was the spring of…well…I don't quite remember…but, that's not the problem. He was a beautiful man, long, black hair, icy blue eyes, with skin so tan you'd think he was cut from the finest leather. Sadly, his name does escape me, but I'll never forget the shock in those eyes when my chainsaw went through him," He put a hand to his chest while I sweatdropped.

"I'm going to…ignore that…"

We had arrived. Grell leapt up to the balcony while I followed suit, but, forgetting that while a Reaper, I hadn't been one for 150 so years, so it wasn't in my physical capability to jump 2 stories. However, it was in my limits to hang for dear life on the edge of the railings.

"Ugh," I said, "Grell, help meeeee…" I whined pathetically and wiggled to show my desperation. Grell looked me over and clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

"Oh, dear," He said, "You've become strong enough to fight off a vampire, yet you still can't hop a building? Honestly," He reached over and grabbed my wrists, tossing me over the side where I landed unceremoniously on the cement. I glared at him. That was graceful.

"Let's go," He said, and I followed him into the room with us both under our reaper shields, meaning nobody could see us. In the room was a fat, jolly man, who's cheeks had been kissed pink by alcohol and stomach had been gifted by far too much food. He sat there, chuckling, as he took another swig of wine. Grell and I looked at each other.

"This is yours, darling," He said, stepping back, "I'm only here to observe," He put his hands up behind his head and leaned back on the wall, smirking. I nodded and walked up to him as he took his final gulp and passed out.

His life is fading fast…I thought to myself, Time to do my work.

I took out my spork and stabbed it into his chest, watching in wonder as his Cinematic Records flew out. They straightened before me, and I saw the life of a happy, hardworking man, who grew up in a normal life with a normal family. Until, one day, an accident occurred in which his parents were killed. He was left to take care of his brothers and sisters, but, due to the high taxes in this state, even at eighteen it was all he could do to pay the rent for them. He swore to himself that he'd lower prices like these so that other families wouldn't have to suffer as he did.

Later on he somehow managed to get his family through school and they all went to colleges, except for his little brother, who died shortly after his parents.

With the stress of being a politician too much for him to handle, he turned to alcohol, and that's why he ended up here.

"Touching story," I said, once again trying to hold back sobs, "But I don't see how he would really affect anybody seriously, it's not like taxes have been cut at all," I shrugged. Grell smirked even more and got up off the wall, walking over towards me. He took a nonchalant glance at the passed out man before us.

"It's your call, sweet Coyote," He said, crossing his arms, "I have no say in it,"

I didn't want to do this, but being weak in this line of business wasn't something I could afford.

"Well," I said as I raised my weapon, "Sorry,"

OOOOOOoooooOOOOOO

Back at the Reaper Society…

"I can't believe you did the spaghetti thing again, Coyote," Grell said, laughing, "Is that the only thing you know how to do with your weapon?"

I glared at the wall as I walked with him, "Yeah! What would you do if you had nothing but a shame to all eating utensils?"

Grell thought about it and shrugged, nodding.

I was about to say more when I felt a buzz in my pocket. I stopped, making Grell stop to wonder why I stopped listening to him rant about Bassie again.

"Adrianne…" I said, staring at the screen. Would I be able to talk to him again? I mean, I had just gotten past one of the most ultimate of Friend Zones: The Family Zone. That's not something I wanted to go through again.

"What is it?" Grell said, peering over my shoulder. I didn't even notice him at the time, because I was too busy trying to convince myself to get over Adrianne and just read the text. But it was far too hard, I loved him too much.

"Oh, jeez…" I said to myself, opening the text. Inside was a rather long message, and it said enough words for me.

Dear Coyote,

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I don't think I've ever seen you so sad as when you left. But I never meant to hurt you. When I said you were like my sister, I meant that I could tell you anything, and you would just smile, nod, and say, "It's okay," like you always do. I miss you a lot, Coyote, I really do. Also…maybe, in a couple months, weeks, whatever, if that invitation is still open, I might take it.

Love,

Adrianne.

This message made me cry more than the souls I reaped. I put a hand to my mouth as the tears rolled down my face, silently sobbing as I re-read it over and over again. Grell was still next to me, and made his presence clear by stealing my phone away from me.

"G-Grell!" I said, trying not to cry even more, "G-Give it back!"

"I thought so," He said, serious, "I just knew something was wrong when you came back that time. And, lo and behold, this damn brat's the cause of it again," He glared at the phone and then at me, "Coyote, this is why we don't save souls that don't need to be saved. Unnecessary feelings,"

I clenched my fists. He was right. But I wasn't going to let him think that.

"Why do you even care, Grell?" I yelled, "It's not like I haven't cried before in my life. I'll get over this and things will be back to normal! You have nothing to do with my love life!"

Grell froze once more, looking at the phone in his hand. With an unreadable expression, he tossed it back to me, who caught it. Grell slowly walked towards me with his fists clenched, his eyes nonchalantly crazy, and his head tilted downward. He kept walking until I was backed against the wall, and shot out a gloved hand to make sure I stayed that way.

"I'm going to tell you something," He said, his voice dark, "I'm a person who wants things, darling~ And what I want, oh, I get. If I can't get it, I force it. If I can't force it, I beg for it. But, either way, I make sure the odds come out in this red reaper's favor. And," He fingered my braid-less hair, "If I say that I will involve myself in your so called 'love-life,' dear, then I will. And you will not resist me. Understand?" He cocked his head, looking down on me like he always did. I should have been scared at that moment, I should have been petrified. But, stupid little me wasn't. No, I was being reckless today.

"No, sadly I don't," I said, standing up straight, "I don't understand a word of what you just said. It's called 'my' life for a reason. If I want you in it, then I'll ask. But I don't, seeing as how you have to get so damn angry every time Adrianne speaks a word to me-"

"Didn't I say to not challenge me, Coyote?!" Grell said, eyes wild and smile crookedly insane, "Listen to me, brat!" He leaned in even further to make his point, "Do as you're told and don't go against me again!"

"And why should I do th-"

"Because you belong to me!" He shot forward and pressed his lips to mine, slamming me back against the wall. I didn't move, didn't even dare to breathe, as he slowly maneuvered his tongue around my mouth, slipping a hand around my waist. I whimpered pitifully, trying to push him back, but he growled and nipped at my lips with his sharp teeth, causing them to bleed. This encouraged him more, licking up the blood and sliding his other hand up the back of my shirt.

I tensed up. He was going way too far.

"G-Grell…" I said, "Grell. Grell. GRELL!" With all my strength I shoved him back, sending him sprawling to the ground. I ran over to him, grabbing his shirt and lifting him up, relishing in his shock.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT?" I yelled, "Grell, you don't like women! You just don't! Where is the Grell that acts bitchy to every woman but me, who he still treats as a little kid? I want him back!" I shook him and dropped him, clutching the sides of my arms. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't cry.

"Coyote…" He said, reaching out for me, his upturned eyebrows making him look upset, "Don't…" But I ignored him, continuing on.

"I don't care anymore!" I threw my arms in the air, "Why? That was my first kiss you bastard! The very first kiss I ever had in my life and it was given to me by somebody who doesn't even love me!" I swore, about to run off when Grell leapt up and grabbed me again.

"Let! Me! Go!" I struggled, but he smiled the same grin he did when he'd reap a soul, drawing closer and closing the distance between our lips again. He was gentler this time, but I still moved against him, trying to find some way to get out of his hold.

"STOP IT!" I yelled, but Grell kept going, sliding his lips over my cheek. I tried to think of a plan. When he started to nibble on my neck, I bit his ear so hard that it drew blood, making him yelp and loose grip of me. I shimmied out and hid behind the table, watching him as he panted and stared at me, smirking.

"Why did I do that, you ask, darling?" He cocked his head, leaning on the chair, "Believe me, I know that was your first kiss. Why do you think I stole it? Do you think I was going to let that Adrianne brat get my entire cute little apprentice? I think not, dear~ And as for the not loving you part, sweet Coyote, do you honestly think that the definition of love is to give all your passion to one person entirely? Be glad, dear, for being one of the few people who I love dearly, along with Bassie. But, if I see you being as friendly as you were with that Adrianne fellow again, well…" He licked his lips, "I hope you like replays, darling,"

I stared at him with horror, wondering how such a person could exist. How could someone make so much and yet so little sense at the same time?

"Grell…" I started, "Why is it okay then, for you to practically try to rape me here and flirt with Bassie somewhere else, when it isn't okay for me to be here with you and still love Adrianne? Does that rule only apply to you?"

Grell looked surprised that I was actually listening to him, and smiled, sitting on the table, "Dear~ The only reason I keep you here is because you have yet to be stronger than me, so I can hold you in the palm of my hand as much as I want, teasing you, testing you, and there's nothing you can do about it. So, until you become strong enough, my love, to break through that barrier, you are mine forever," His smile was purely evil then. His emerald eyes were aglow, and he leaned forward, brushing my cheek with his gloved hands.

"But wait," He said when I was about to go, "I have a present for you,"

I reluctantly turned around, expecting him to jump me or something, but instead I was met with a braid. My braid. My beautiful, long, perfect braid.

"Grell…" I said, wide-eyed, reaching up to grab it, "Thank you..wait..what is this?"

I looked at the end of the braid and gasped, seeing the long, braided lock of crimson hair at the bottom. Grell smirked and flipped his hair, revealing it to be at least three inches shorter. I felt more tears come to my eyes. Goddammit why was I crying so damn much?

"I…I…forgive you…but only for now!" I said, pointing at him, "It's o-only because you willingly gave me your beautiful hair…"

I stroked it. He really braided it well, too…

I reached around the back of my head and quickly braided my own short locks, using the rubber band to tie it onto there. When I was done I felt an invisible shield go over me, like a security blanket. Ah, so that's why I was crying so much.

"Much better," I said, petting it. Grell looked at me and smiled, one hand on his hip.

"So, darling…" He started, his flamboyant self again, "I hope you know one thing about me, and our little 'ordeal' back there…" He winked. I sighed, putting up my hands and walking out of the room.

"I don't want to talk about it, Gre-"

"Just so you know, I don't give up!"

…Well, fuck.

AUTHOR'S NOTE! Okay, so this was written in two days. Amazing, I know. And I have to give credit to Tailsdoll123 for giving me that idea from one of their chappies. Sorry, I don't even know you, but it was really an amazing story and inspired me to write this one! Anways, next chapter will be a Christmas chapter, so any ideas, please send and I'll consider them! Also, sorry for the OOCness, I got a little carried away…Hehee…

Also, I will be crossing over my story I'm Officially Screwed with this one for a while, so, peoples who have read that one, ideas as well? Review, or no update!