The Ostiary
Kochou-hime
All characters belong to their respective owners.
Battle not with Monsters...
The crackling and swaying sound of roaring flames echoed within the cavern they were contained. Clinking metal and a man's heavy breathing were all that could be heard over the quiet fire filled baskets that dimly lit the windowless room. A man with short silver hair knelt upon the stone ground, fiddling with small oddly shaped items that reflected gold in the flickers of fire light. Beads of sweat flew down his temple as he pushed his sliding, wide-rimmed glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. Holding two of the peculiarly engraved pieces close to his face, he groaned when upon putting them together the metallic items failed to interlock. Letting the two puzzle-like pieces fall to the floor with a clang; the bruised man donning torn clothing collapsed forward onto the ground. An annoyed sigh sounded from the back of the room.
Lounging in a massive golden chair was a man dressed in royal garb. His body wrapped in red and black robes, he wore jeweled rings on every finger and layers of solid gold chains and necklaces around his neck. His long spiky locks of hair flowed over the seat's armrest starkly contrasting in color to his dark skin; it was as white as the snow that could be seen in the distant mountains. Narrowing his cold brown eyes on the collapsed man he snatched a golden coin out of a pile beside him and chucked it toward the other.
"Get back to work! If you don't finish that puzzle before the sun rises, I'll be forced to start removing body parts," Bakura grinned wickedly as he loudly cracked his knuckles.
"And how am I supposed to know when the sun rises?" The man suddenly cried, "It feels like I've been in this hole in the ground for days!" Without apparent movement or sound the Egyptian vampire materialized standing just in front of the exhausted man. Narrowing his murky eyes to where the puzzle pieces were scattered at his feet, he snarled.
"No, no!" Bakura roared down to the other. "The object isn't supposed to be flat! It fits together into the form of a hollow triangle. Just like the great pyramids I showed you outside, don't you remember?" The shaking man choked back a sob.
"You stole me from my family and home and haven't given me any food, or water!" The man cried, "How am I supposed to pay attention to anything!" Bakura crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.
"Souichi Tomoe is the most intelligent man in the village, maybe the world, they said!" The vampire mocked as he knocked his prisoner from his hands and knees to the floor with a swift kick. "What a joke!"
"Please! Just let me go!" Souichi pled with a pained groan.
"The Pharaoh would have had the puzzle solved in minutes," Bakura voiced tauntingly, a smirk playing across his features. But immediately after the words were spoken, the vampire's face contorted into an expression of rage. "Shut up!" Bakura answered himself and glared daggers toward the fallen man. "You are wasting my time! Perhaps if I collected one of your beautiful little daughters and tortured her until you finished you could get some work done then?" Souichi let out a tormented cry.
"No! I beg of you! This puzzle is impossible to complete! I've tried to apply every mathematical formula I know. It just doesn't make any sense at all!" The human explained. Bakura sighed.
"Unfortunately, I believe you," he grumbled, "but luckily!" The white haired man appeared to perk up. "The one good thing about humans is that they're never completely worthless." Souichi's confused face quickly filled with fright when the vampire lunged with an impending hiss. The sounds of blood-curdling shrieks filled the cavernous space as Bakura mercilessly tore into his victim. After no more than a few painful minutes the cries lessened and faded into nothing. Sitting back onto his hands, the attacker gazed upon the now deceased human woefully.
"Dead already? How disappointing," Bakura sighed as he leaned forward and tossed the mangled body with limbs barely still attached to the far side of the room with ease. "I guess I'm losing my touch." Wiping the evidence of massacre away from his mouth, the vampire seemed not to care that his clothes were covered in blood as he glared toward the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle that still glinted in the fire light where they lie in puddles of crimson. Arching his upper lip into a snarl he picked up each piece and cleaned it carefully against his silken robes before dropping them one by one into their small gold container.
"So this is how you plan to solve the puzzle?" He spoke scathingly aloud to no one in particular. "Wallow within the tomb the Pharaoh's loyal followers made for their beloved king even though they had no body to bury? I wonder how they would have entombed your corpse, Thief. Perhaps thrown it in a hole in the ground? No, no, tossing it in a ditch would have been more likely." Bakura grit his sharp teeth and slammed the lid onto the box once the last item had been deposited.
"I no longer need the puzzle," the once dead vampire replied to himself quietly, "Serenity is the guardian to the prison and conveniently on the Earth," casting his eyes to the side of the room he stared toward where a long golden scepter fashioned with a round top adorned by bat-wing projections leaned against the wall. "As soon as I can get my hands on her I'll use the Millennium Rod to force her to tear down the walls." Bakura's eyes dilated in rage as he banged his fist against the floor.
"You imbecilic fool!" He roared, "Serenity cannot be manipulated with the Items!" The vampire cried out and laid his hands into the floor viciously once more. "She is completely untainted by darkness. There's not even the slightest trace. That woman is my prison's perfect warden…"
"I have other ways of getting her to do what I want," Bakura alluded darkly as his eyes clouded over with torturous intentions.
"Don't confuse her peacefulness for weakness!" The man's voice dropped as he carried the conversation on with himself. "She will die a thousand deaths before bending to your will. Even if you could somehow convince her, you would never even get close to her. The Pharaoh will make sure of that, and you cannot beat him!" The wild-haired man laughed.
"It isn't fair!" Bakura roared as he snapped to his feet, turning to glare at the throne surrounded lovingly by gold and treasures. "We are both of the same age, and were similar in strength as men. Though I too harbor the ability to travel the shadows, he was given so much more!" Snatching up a jewel encrusted goblet he turned and chucked into the cavern's wall. "He can see and manipulate the thoughts and sensations of any other he chooses." Bakura snarled. "And then there's the most elusive power of them all: the absolute and instant mastery of any skill; giving him the advantage of any and every contest!" The vampire moved sluggishly and collapsed into the golden throne, letting his hand fall over his eyes in angst.
"Silly Thief," he spoke aloud once more, a smirk now crossing his face. "Black magic is a tricky business. Your pathetic little existence was wrapped up in this incident on accident, my little host." Grinning fully now, Bakura dropped his hand and opened his eyes. "To contain me the Pharaoh let his mighty and heralded God Ka be separated from his body and you from yours inadvertently, making you both the lovely monsters you are today." The vampire explained blackly, "But dark spells like the one he used requires more so a trade than a sacrifice, and you only had one soul to offer, peasant. The God King had three." Silence filled the tomb for several minutes as the vampire sat alone, smiling evilly while seated upon what was once Pharaoh Atem's throne.
"I grow stronger every day, soon no prison and no one, not even the Fae Queen, will be able to contain me much longer. It grows ever easier to gain complete control of your body and your simpleton will, slave. Once we can utilize the Puzzle's powers, the Pharaoh will fall to you and when Kul Elna's revenge on Egypt's last surviving sovereign is exacted for his predecessor's crimes I can finally bring the pain and hatred those ninety-nine souls endured onto the world! Without that man in the way, I will never again be defeated!" Turning his head he narrowed his eyes toward the unassuming box that sat within the middle of the tomb's floor.
"The power of the Millennium Puzzle is all we need…"
After delivering the remainder of sweet confections she had saved for her brother and human companions, Serenity made way back to her room cautiously. She had expected to not even make it inside the inn before being accosted by the no-nonsense Vampire King; he had announced that he had further plans for her tonight and he always made good on his word. But perhaps she had gotten off easily in having to deal with him and Yami had simply been distracted by something else. Bringing out a slender key, which was worthless she thought: beings that were after her wouldn't need keys let alone doors to get to her, she turned it into the handle and stepped within her room. Something about the space's aura immediately felt off to her, and the foreign black jacket slung over the desk's chair caught her attention first.
Quickly darting her cerulean colored eyes about the room, they stopped upon where the Moon's pale light spilled over a dark form lounging along her temporary bed. Grabbing unconsciously onto one of her golden tendrils of hair, the door drifted securely shut behind her as she regarded the silent man with a widened stare. In reality she shouldn't have been so surprised to find him here, what was the point in stalking down his prey when he knew good and well it would eventually come to him? The sight before Serenity quickened her pulse as the vampire occupied the bed like he owned it. Yami stretched along the surface lazily; his tan and trim arms meeting behind his head with closed eyes. He made no effort to acknowledge her entrance, other than a bemused smirk that drifted across his mouth. The moonlight only accentuated his already established perfect form, where it highlighted the deep muscled lines against the black sleeveless garment he wore over his torso. The shimmery glow gleamed against the clasp fitted to his studded belt, also bringing attention to the leather strap buckled around neck and right bicep.
Seeing that the enticing man had selected a rather racy spot in her room to wait for her brought forth a slew of memories primarily concentrated on his considerable prowess in areas other than killing things, to which he was utterly phenomenal. Quickly, she banished the unwelcome thoughts as it seemed entirely inappropriate to be remembering such things about the monster in her bed. Letting the breath leave her lungs slowly, she narrowed her crystalline irises upon him.
"Can I help you?" She asked in a leveled tone, standing straight as if it would help her resist any advances he may be planning. He could, after all, be very convincing. His shocking red eyes snapped open and glowed promisingly upon her at the sound of her voice. Serenity tinged pink. Her selected words had been poor in choice. Sitting up fluidly from where he lay, he swung his black clad legs over the bed and gripped onto the covered edge as he leaned toward her.
"You were gone longer than I had anticipated," his baritone voice rolled as his eyes quickly assessed her standing figure before focusing once more on her gaze.
"I didn't realize I had a curfew," she responded snidely. "I apologize if I worried you. I was only hungry," the fairy finished with a hint of annoyance riding with her tone. There was no need to elaborate on the revealing conversation she had had with the others as it was unlikely he cared about what she informed them. With a quiet chuckle the vampire stood to full height and sauntered to her casually. She felt trapped in place under his ruby-eyed gaze whose irises contained an otherworldly glint that exuded a life of their own in the barely lit room.
"You're satisfied now, then?" he questioned quietly, coming to a halt at an almost too-friendly distance before her. The room suddenly felt freezing. Yami's dark aura assaulted her in his closeness, like black and icy flames licking at the surface of her skin and probing the barriers of her guarded mind. His shadowy powers were overwhelming and might have tempted an unknowing victim into the inviting man's warm arms, but Serenity was well seasoned in dealing with this vampire.
"Yes," She responded simply, making no effort to recognize his innuendo. She heard a ghostly breath escape him as he revealed his exaggerated incisors in a sultry smile.
"Good, I had hoped to borrow your company this evening, now that you're feeling energized…" he continued smiling as he tilted his head slightly to one side. Stretching her jacketed arms up behind her, she expelled a fake yawn.
"Now that you mention it, I actually am pretty tired and should probably sleep." Serenity tapped her lips with her fingers as the other's face continually lit up in amusement.
"It'll be a short trip. I need to briefly speak with a friend of mine and it would put my mind at ease if you accompanied me." He spoke sounding impossibly pleasant even though it was obvious she was trying to buffet him away.
"I'll be safe here, the others-"
"You'll be safest with me," he quickly interjected. Serenity couldn't help but narrow her eyes at the persistent man.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." She spoke harshly, "I'm staying here until we journey to Atra." A low sound escaped his throat as his mouth fell into a suggestive half-smile.
"Perhaps you're right," Yami whispered gruffly as Serenity blinked in surprise, "we shouldn't risk anymore trouble. In fact, I think it would be best if you and I didn't leave this room for the next couple of days." The suggestion sent her blood flying hot through her veins as she knew without asking that she'd be pinned to the bed behind them in seconds if she even thought the word 'ok.'
"If I go with you, will you leave me alone for the rest of the night?" Serenity asked absolutely flustered.
"Mmhmm," he hummed, clearly pleased he had elicited a desired effect from her.
"How about for every night until I return to the Moon?"
"You're pushing your luck, your majesty," Yami replied with the pleasantness drifting from his voice at the question.
"Until we go to the Black Lands then." Serenity bargained with a coolly raised brow.
"If that's what you wish," he replied. The Fae Queen stood calmly before him. Fully expecting to be carried off through the window or pulled into the creepy shadows she was quite surprised when he interlocked his arm with hers and motioned to the door.
"We're leaving through the front of the building?" Serenity asked unbelievably. Yami briefly wet his lips before casting his gaze amusedly down toward her as they filed into the hall.
"And how else would we leave?" His deep voice rang teasingly. The Queen sent the entertained man an annoyed glance before she turned her eyes straight ahead. For as well as she thought she knew him she certainly had a hard time predicting his actions. After bidding the doorman goodnight she was taken aback to see a black carriage with two horses and a driver at its helm awaiting them. Serenity sent the man at her arm a questioning glance.
"It isn't far," he explained as his eyes fell upon her. "You're terrified of the shadows, and you throw a fit when I try to carry you. Do you hate this sort of transportation, also? My, my Serenity there truly is no appeasing you." Yami spoke artfully with a wink.
"No," Serenity spoke looking back to the carriage in wonder. "This is fine," her voice perked up as she rolled through her thoughts. She had never ridden in such a contraption before, and the idea, actually, did seem rather exciting. Approaching it curiously, she was taken aback when a young human male leapt down from the driver's area. His bright green eyes widened upon her as he leaned forward to offer his hand.
"Let me help you up, Miss," he requested in wonder as he stared in awe upon the woman who was angelic in appearance. Before it even registered to Serenity to accept his gesture, an arm came between them and gripped onto her hand in a blur of black. Feeling the vampire's warm body at her back she shifted her gaze and balked when she observed Yami glaring poisonously toward the driver who couldn't help but quake beneath his stare. "I-uh, I'm sorry!" He choked and immediately turned to climb up into his seat. Resisting the urge to scold him for being so hateful to the harmless man she stepped into the vessel, and shivered when she felt another guiding hand touch a bare patch of skin at her hip. Immediately sitting down on the cushy seat behind her, she was again surprised to see Mai sitting just across the way. Yami fell roughly to the seat beside her, sending his red hot gaze angrily to the woman that merely smirked toward them.
"It isn't my fault," Mai spoke with a shrug, "I instructed him to do nothing but drive, just as you said. Clearly he's an idiot." She explained, crossing one creamy white leg over the other. The alluring vampiress was more formally clothed than she had seen her in the past. She looked stunning in the short and strapless sage colored dress whose satiny fabric clung to her curvy body. Serenity briefly admired the thin strappy heels wrapped around her slim ankles before turning to look out the carriage's window. Just who were they going to see? In her traveling clothes that consisted of a long gray jacket, solid white v-neck, black slacks and boots she suddenly felt considerably under dressed.
"Have I told you how lovely you look this evening, Serenity?" He smirked down at her with the side of his body coming just barely in contact with hers. The vampire languidly hung his arm over the seat where his fingertips lightly grazed the far shoulder of her coat. She was certainly not looking any more spectacular than normal and therefore was not impressed with the man's shameless monitoring of her self conscious thoughts. "You are nothing but marvelous in whatever you wear, at any and every angle." He grinned and Serenity's face went hot when considering where the vampire would have been focusing his attentions as she climbed into the carriage.
"Where are we going and to see whom?" Serenity asked firmly; wishing to change the subject to a far less embarrassing one.
"She is a long-time friend who goes by Akane Karasuma," Mai answered gaining the Queen's attention. "At over two thousand years of age she's one of the oldest of our kind, surviving the dangerous world by being outstandingly beautiful and ruthless." The blonde vampire spoke of the woman she clearly held admiration for. Serenity's mind wrapped around the words suspiciously. So Yami had another friend? And one who was an attractive lady vampire as well? She cursed herself inwardly. If this blasted blood drinker planned to parade her around like some kind of prize to his current lover, he would sure as hell have a few choice and heated words coming to him.
"Friend is a rather loose term and not really appropriate," Yami spoke, keeping his interested gaze focused squarely on the fairy, "Let's just say she's an acquaintance to whom I've charged a very valuable object under her care. I trust her solely on the fact that she's intelligent enough not to fuck with me." He spoke very bluntly of the nature of he and this woman's relationship.
"She has a Millennium Item?" Serenity asked quietly. Yami's eyes lit up, appearing absolutely tickled on the fairy's assumption.
"I suppose I should pray to the Gods for granting me such superb company. The Moon's queen is just as quick witted as she is altogether dazzling," the handsome vampire charmed, seemingly not caring about Mai's presence. "But what I cannot figure out, considering how observant you are, is why you continually assume I have any interest in keeping a lover that is anyone but you." Yami displayed his teeth in a wicked smile.
'Stop reading my mind!' Serenity glowered as her thoughts roared toward the mind reader. In a swift movement, Yami's hanging arm flew around her waist and she was spun to face him before she even had time to blink. Her bent knees fell at either side of him straddling the man's warm lap as he let his securing hand rest upon the small of her back. She quickly thrust a hand into his muscular chest, in attempt to prevent any other unwelcome romantic attacks from the stronger vampire. Chuckling lightly he easily slid her taut arm around his neck and pulled her against him, letting his mouth hover just before her ear. She could feel her heart beat against his chest and resisted a shiver at the feel of his torrid breath on her skin.
"I will, if you stop being so interesting," he replied with a hot and breathy whisper.
"We're here," Mai announced as the carriage came to a stop. Serenity attempted to scramble away from him, but was halted when he wrapped his powerful arms securely around her.
"Good," was all he said and instantaneously she was standing; still locked in an embrace with the incredibly forward vampire. Stepping back from him, Yami let his arms fall so that she could turn to see a building incredible enough in size to be considered a palace. An ominous cawing caught her sensitive ears and upon turning her eyes to the sky she noticed several black crows fly out from the roof of the home and into the night sky. Her attention falling to the blonde vampire to her left she watched as Mai moved to rap on the double doored entrance but as soon as she approached the twin humongous barriers swung open to the inside of the building.
Spying two strangely dressed men with bare chests and black sarongs wrapped around their lower halves she suppressed a gasp upon noticing the distinctive shape of their ears, which came to a shallow point at the top. What were elves doing in a vampire's home? The clicking sounds of elegant heels broke the silence as a womanly figure drifted down the curved stairwell. Serenity's blue eyes widened, outstandingly beautiful was an understatement, this vampiress was gorgeous.
The woman wore a skin-tight chocolate brown dress that dipped dangerously low into the cleavage of her large breasts that were held back by thin silken straps just below her bust. Long and flowing locks of shiny reddish-brown hair cascaded down just past her bottom as she swayed her curvaceous hips with confidence in each and every step. Her chestnut brown skin blended in beautifully with her similarly colored strands. Its tone almost reminded her of Yami's coloring which defied what was typically thought to define a vampire whose skin was told to be pale. Serenity almost choked on her breath when she watched the tall and leggy woman thrust a folded black whip into one of the elf's hands. The unfamiliar vampire's gleaming brown eyes spotted Mai standing in front of their group and her face practically glowed with happiness.
"Miss Akane, it is so good to see you!" Mai beamed as the woman of equal height quickly leaned in and crushed her into an embrace.
"Mai!" the one who went by Akane Karasuma cried happily and pulled back to look into the other's face. "It's been almost a hundred years my dear, and I must say, you've never looked more beautiful!" Relinquishing their embrace, Mai half-smiled as she vainly flipped a lock of blonde hair.
"What can I say? I learned from the best," the sultry violet-eyed woman grinned.
"Oh, stop," Akane waved her hand resting it upon her collar bone in an equally vainglorious fashion. "Who have you brought along with-" The auburn haired vampire paused as her eyes widened when they fell on the man who stood alongside Serenity at the edge of the doorway's steps. Her casual stance became rigid and chocolate brown eyes flooded with fear as she locked them with his intense and blood-red orbs. "Yami..." The words trailed icily from her mouth.
"Hello, Akane," The ill-famed vampire spoke smoothly and apparently void of any emotion.
"We bear you know ill-will," Mai piped up quickly, though Akane's eyes remained locked with the powerful male's. "Though pleased to visit you we've also come to inquire about the item left with you several years ago?" The brunette vampiress visibly relaxed as a small smile played across her features.
"Yes, of course," Akane answered softly and began gliding toward where Serenity stood close to Yami's side. The Queen watched confoundedly as the woman's attitude to the other vampire completely changed as she sauntered closer. The look in the woman's eyes was one she had seen before; directed to herself from a lover's red and shining irises. Though it was clear Yami's presence commanded distinct terror within the other it seemed his deadly reputation wasn't enough to mask the raging desire she held for the man at the Royal's side. Serenity winced at the twinge of jealousy that coursed through her form. Just as the vampiress opened her mouth to speak her nostrils flared and eyes opened wide. Whipping her head to face the petite blonde, she flashed her sharp fangs in a salivating smile.
"A fairy..." she almost whispered and Serenity couldn't recall a time where she had felt more like a piece of meat than she did in this moment. "A gift for me after all these long years, old friend?" She looked hopeful, but Yami responded by snaking his arm along the horrified blonde's waist and pulling her into him.
"Akane," Yami sounded quietly. "Serenity is mine." He asserted much more calmly than he did to Bakura the night before. The woman briefly appeared irked as she moved her stare away from Serenity and back to the other vampire's, but eventually nodded in response to the poignant statement.
"Serenity," Akane repeated, slowly letting the words roll off her tongue. "Of course she is yours, Yami. Only a great fool would give up someone as lovely as she," the tall vampiress smiled letting her eyes linger on Serenity once more before turning to the great home's doorway. "Please, come inside. It sounds like we have some catching up to do." Her sultry voice rang as she stepped inside the doorway, Mai immediately following behind her. As Yami moved to follow, Serenity planted her feet against his arm and turned to glare upward to his smirking face.
"I am not an object. Please stop speaking of me as if I am." She spoke firmly.
"Ownership is a very important distinction to our kind. When I say that you're mine it means if she or any other attempts to harm you I fully intend to retaliate and most likely destroy the offender." Yami explained, "not that I particularly feel the need to warn others of my intentions, it is usually enough to avoid an unnecessary conflict." Serenity scrunched her nose, but nodded as she allowed the vampire to escort her into the mansion.
"You avoiding conflict seems like somewhat of an oxymoron," the fairy cracked a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood, but felt a little disheartened when Yami didn't smile.
"When it comes to protecting you, keeping you out of harm's way is my primary concern." He replied softly as the two approached the female vampires who stood by a row of more male and female elves, at least ten of them who were dressed similarly to the ones at the door, with the exception of the females who wore small black tops over their breasts.
"I'm somewhat of a collector, you see," the lady of the household explained to Mai, "Although they are all elves they display amazingly heightened fairy characteristics. Can't you tell?"
"Yes," the blonde vampire answered as she brandished a sly smile to one of the males who stood at attention. "They smell fantastic almost completely like a fairy."
It would be an understatement to say that Serenity was merely horrified by this awful display and explanation. But what bothered her the most is that she didn't notice any chains or restraints keeping them from escaping. Did they really choose to live in this household as this woman's slaves?
"And they taste even better, choose whichever one you like. Just don't hurt whoever you pick too badly. I'm rather fond of all of them," Akane grinned. "Serenity," the brown-eyed woman continued, "you can enjoy the company of one also if you're not interested in hearing Yami and I's boring conversation. You may not be interested in their blood but I assure you they're all well trained in providing other services." The vampire finished with a wink. The Fae's queen might've toppled over at the suggestion if it wasn't for the arm, belonging to a currently fuming man, around her slender waist.
"It was only a joke, Yami," Akane laughed melodically as the elder vampire glared daggers in her direction. "I'm sure you take very good care of your sweet fairy, just as I do with mine." She spoke cryptically and turned her gaze to the stairwell. Following her line of sight, Serenity again almost fell over in shock as she laid eyes upon the woman who descended the steps. And the Moon's queen knew with absolute certainty she was a pure blooded fairy solely by smell and appearance.
"I apologize I wasn't here earlier to help greet your guests, Lady Karasuma," the woman with flowing light blue locks bowed politely at the bottom stairs. Akane immediately zipped to her side and lovingly moved a stray strand of hair away from the newly arrived fairy's face.
"Think nothing of it my love. I did after all have you in a rather compromising position before we were interrupted." The vampiress chuckled just before placing a chaste kiss upon the other's lips and wrapping a securing arm around her bare waist.
Though Serenity had always been taught it was rude to stare, she did so anyway toward the one of her own kind who let herself become a monster's slave. The tall and beautiful woman looked the part of a bedroom toy as she donned a harem girl's appearance. Though the sky blue fabric of her clothes was stunning, it covered very little of her light pink skin. A small bandeau style top covered her mid-sized bust where netting adorned with shells and beads stemmed down just above her jewel pierced navel. A semi-translucent material sewn into wide and flowing floor length pants covered her lower half. Beneath it a tiny solid colored garment allowed a minute semblance of decency as thankfully all her private parts were covered. The entire ensemble was completed by a spectacular head piece that hung over her crown and forehead decorated with deep blue gemstones.
"The fairy race is a small one, and since it's even rarer to find one on the Earth perhaps the two of you know each other." Akane spoke again. "Serenity, please meet my Reiko."
In truth, while the number of existing fairies was so small that she truly did think she knew each one, Serenity had never seen the one named Reiko before in her over one thousand years of life. But the world be damned if Reiko's bright blue eyes didn't widen in knowing as they fell upon the Fae's famed queen. Turning her cool gaze back to Akane, Serenity pursed her lips.
"I'm afraid we haven't before met, Miss Karasuma," she replied politely.
"What a pity. At least you have now," The lady vampire smiled, "Shall we go to discuss what you've come for in the drawing room, then?" Turning back to Mai who was sending guiltless and hungry glances to toward the elves in the room, she grinned. "Entertain whomever you like my friend, only Reiko is mine." She invited and turned to a set of opened French doors, indicating that Yami and Serenity should enter.
Almost reluctantly walking beside her former vampire lover, who had been unusually silent for the past several minutes, she sat down upon a plush and fancy styled sofa closely beside him. For the first time since she'd arrived to the Earth she was thankful for the red-eyed man's touch at her side. This whole strange and disturbing experience made her extremely uncomfortable and even with all his faults Yami was guaranteed to defend her if this strange vampire made good on the longing looks she had tossed toward her way. Glancing briefly to the roaring fireplace at the back of the room, Serenity turned her attention to the two women who sat down on a chaise loveseat across from them after shutting the room's door.
"Although I'd hate to ask," Akane broke the silence. "Reiko and I were in the middle of something before you arrived. Would you mind if we finished before we chat?" Without responding, Yami sent his gaze down to Serenity and lifted an inquisitive eyebrow, fighting back the smirk on his face. Serenity looked dumbfoundedly upon him. How else was she supposed to answer? If they had other business to attend to it was only polite to wait as long as it was for only a reasonable amount of time.
"Please, don't let us keep you from something important," Serenity spoke with instilled manners and a courteous smile. And much to the fairy's horror, the brunette vampire lunged atop Reiko and attacked her with a rabid kiss.
The Royal froze in shock when Akane left her lover's mouth and bit down viciously upon the side of her neck, eliciting a small moan of mixed pleasure and pain from the other. Slinging her widened eyes to her hands she was near hyperventilation as she sat in disbelief. This was the business they had to finish…and they were going to do it here! A small snicker from the man on her left sent her blood boiling in fury. Completely red in the face, the petite woman tossed her stormy glare upon Yami and flattened her lips in effort to keep herself from screaming. His unholy red eyes were laughing down at her, as he leaned casually against his seat with a hand tangled lazily in his multi-colored and wild spikes of hair. If there was ever a more opportune time for a wrathful tongue lashing, it was while the Fae Queen was trapped and forced to listen to two women in the midst of their personal relations.
'So this is funny to you, is it?' Serenity snapped in her thoughts as she narrowed her eyes upon his face where his smile only continually grew in his amusement. 'Oh you're such the charmer, Yami! This is exactly what I wanted to be doing tonight instead of sleeping.'
A loud crash briefly shook Serenity from her thoughts. Bravely glancing from her peripheral vision she noticed the two women had knocked the chaise over in their maneuverings and were now thankfully hidden behind the piece of furniture. Though she wasn't so lucky in still having to hear how much each was enjoying the other. Focusing once again on Yami, she grit her teeth angrily to the smirking man.
'Why in the God's name would you bring me here? For my own safety, huh? Like hell! You know the elven lineage contains goblin blood. All fairy children are told stories about the occasional insane elf that would devour a fairy if given the opportunity. Is that what you want? To feed me to either your crazy vampire friend or allow her elf slaves to eat me?' The infuriated fairy accused. In a blur of black Serenity's back connected with the couch cushions with both arms pinned above her head by Yami's strong grip with ease. Locking down her hips between his knees he brought a free finger to her lips and silenced her surprised gasp. Revealing his fangs in a silent smile while hovering over her, he slowly drifted down to her ear and swiped it with his tongue briefly before breathing a sweltering sigh.
"You're being absurd, Serenity," he whispered so quietly it was doubtful anyone but she could hear. "If anyone is going to eat you…it's going to be me." He rumbled. Glaring up to him insubordinately she struggled in vain beneath his steely hold.
"I'd rather die than be yours or anyone's blood bank," she hissed lowly. Yami clicked his tongue in a few 'tsks' as he shook his head.
"Why do you always assume the worst from me? If you keep it up I'm going to begin to think you've never enjoyed even a single moment of my company. Especially since I didn't even mention biting you…" Serenity's pupils dilated and she flushed completely red while staring into the man who grinned upon his wicked words. The sounds of the two others within the room slowly deafened as the pinned blonde's concentration leveled on her heartbeat and breathing that fell into rhythm with the man above her. Her tense and fighting body fell relaxed as she felt like the room was spinning. She was dizzy beneath his marveling gaze. Serenity's once angry mouth parted for a deeper breath and it caught the attention of Yami's crimson hued eyes where they darted upon her invitingly pink lips.
"Don't get me wrong," he murmured still staring toward her slowly breathing mouth, "I'm sure your blood is the best in all the world; the universe even. I just-" the man's low voice paused as he drifted his mouth softly against the tip of Serenity's nose in a gesture that sent a roaring surge of heat down her spine. "I suppose I just find blood to be so dull when I'm stuck fantasizing about tasting all the other delicious parts of you." He whispered huskily, tickling her lips with the vibrations of his approaching mouth. But suddenly, the scenery changed as he pulled her to sit beside him. The fairy's slim body molded into the side of the vampire's where he held her possessively under his black clad arm.
Coming out of her daze she noticed the reason for their movement as Akane, now apparently done with she and her partner's ministrations, rose from the floor straightening her clothing. Pushing the loveseat back to its proper place with ease the vampiress lifted Reiko from the floor and roughly deposited the half-conscious girl to the seat with ease. Though Serenity's concentration was understandably scattered she stared toward the other fairy in disapproval. The woman was a mess from her hair to her twisted clothing and looked ready to faint from being drained of blood. Catching the Queen's eyes, Reiko turned away and blushed shamefully. How could any woman allow herself to be humiliated in this way?
"Well," The brown-haired vampire sighed, rubbing a thumb against her bright red lips. "As Mai mentioned, I assume you're here to collect the tauk?" Serenity's memory twitched at recognizing the familiar name.
"Yes," The Egyptian vampire replied plainly.
"I've always been honored for you allowing me to keep it for you, Yami," Akane spoke his name longingly, almost appearing upset that he wanted the object returned. The elder man regarded her affection by hardening his fiery gaze to which she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "Well, I have it hidden in a secret place, one in which only I know about," she explained. "If you give me until tomorrow evening I will retrieve it and give it back to you." At her spoken words Yami stood, bringing Serenity up along with him as he did so. Akane instinctively cringed toward the back of her seat but relaxed when the man paid her with a smirk.
"That'll be fine," he spoke finitely, "I'll return tomorrow," and turning he gently led his fairy companion to the door and opened it fluidly. Akane began to stand up but paused at the sound of the other's voice. "We'll let ourselves out," Yami spoke commandingly, sounding somewhat irritated as he stepped through the door alongside the Moon's queen.
"Good-bye," Serenity heard Akane's voice and turned to look back at her just before she stepped out of view. "I hope to see you again, Serenity," the attractive woman spoke softly baring to her a toothy smile. Something about the woman's dark eyes and wish chilled the blonde to the bone, if it were up to her she'd never have to make her acquaintance again. Hurriedly walking alongside Yami, she looked to him confoundedly as they rushed outside the mansion's doors.
"Why the sudden hurry?" Serenity demanded, "you drug me out here and put me through a hell of a lot of embarrassment for a two minute conversation. What about Mai?" The fairy grumbled in annoyance. Before she could continue her tirade he immediately swept her into his arms.
"She's old enough to find her own way home," was all he replied and at an impossible speed Yami had delivered the two just outside the inn before Serenity even had time to realize she had been pulled through the shadows. Upon being set on her feet, the perturbed fairy whirled around to give him a piece of her mind but paused when she caught a glimpse of his feverish stare. The King of Games appeared almost as if he was in pain as his blood-red chasms singed her with purely lustful intentions. The string of incidents in the mansion's drawing room had apparently had a more profound effect on the vampire than he had let on.
"You had better go inside, past and soon to be future lover," Yami suggested seriously, "because if you don't I can't guarantee I won't break that little promise I made to you earlier tonight," he paused as a restrained sound rumbled from the base of his throat, "in every way imaginable." Though Serenity still had a list of things to scold him about, including that last little quip in how he referred to her, she thought better of it and immediately turned and began walking back to the inn. His blazing orbs followed her retreat and he released a yearning sigh when she finally disappeared from sight.
"What do you want?" The ancient vampire suddenly growled, not taking his eyes off the building. With a silent rustling of brush, the tall werewolf Honda stalked out of a bordering wooded area.
"We've been patrolling this area for hours," the man with spiked hair spoke, still not earning the other's gaze as he walked up behind him. "This area is crawling with trolls and goblins. I've killed two of them already and ran off at least ten more."
"Is that so," Yami replied, letting his eyes flutter closed as he smirked. "It's just as I expected then. They do after all prefer mountainous areas since rarely do humans congregate there in large numbers."
"They wouldn't normally come so close to a town like this. I think they can smell the fairies and can't resist coming to take a closer look." Honda assessed aloud. Yami chuckled darkly.
"Well, thanks for the lesson in fairy attraction, wolf, really; I'm enlightened," The vampire spoke sarcastically, "So if you're finished, please carry on with your own business because I'm really not in the mood to entertain a mangy mutt."
"Look Blood-sucker!" Honda roared, gripping his hands into fists. He faltered slightly, when Yami finally turned his head and regarded him with a sneer and angry eyes, but immediately puffed out his chest. "The only reason I'm talking to you is because the three of us have to leave in the morning. Tomorrow is a full moon and we'll be spending it in the plain lands. So it'll be your job to make sure the others aren't attacked while they're sleeping."
"Then leave tonight! I can take care of this myself." Yami snapped, "And besides, if I have to spend the rest of the night out here tearing apart goblins I'd rather not have to be smelling you." The were immediately transformed into his partial-canine form at the other's insult and snapped his sharpened teeth with a gnarl.
"You can't order me around! You're nothing but a walking corpse!" Honda roared and as he moved to lunge he released a high pitched whine upon being slammed into a tree. Securing the taller man against the shattered bark roughly at his neck, Yami's murderous crimson eyes shone like a beacon upon him. Gritting his deadly teeth, the vampire squeezed harder earning a helpless whimper from the overpowered man.
"If you value your life at all, you'll stay out of my sight for the rest of this night!" The powerful man rumbled threateningly. After the werewolf dropped his transformation and managed a painful nod, Yami released his grip and let him fall to his hands and knees.
"What in the hell is your problem?" Honda struggled for breath as he rubbed his bruised neck, slowly coming to his feet. Yami scowled down upon him, curling his upper lip into a snarl as he caught his gaze.
"Nothing," he growled lowly. "I just really feel like killing something."
The Fae's prince tossed and turned in his sleep as he sprawled out over the entire bed with his stretched limbs. Drooling slightly on his pillow, he suddenly grinned and brought it against him in a tight hug.
"Aw Rei, you know I don't like to be tickled," he mumbled aloud as if his dreams were real. A sudden sound at his room's door awoke the fairy from his slumber as his hazel eyes fluttered open in confusion. Running his fingers through his shaggy blonde hair he squinted to the door in confusion when the impatient sound came again. "What the…" Jou muttered as he groggily stood from the bed. Wearing nothing but a pair of green drawstring pants he approached the door and swung it open. He blinked several times when his eyes filled with the woman in the doorway.
Intensely bright violet eyes met with his and darted quickly over his half naked form. The sultry woman leaned her spectacular form in the doorway as she assessed every inch of the confounded man within the bedroom.
"Mai?" Jou asked in disbelief and as he reached his hands up to rub his sleepy eyes he was abruptly tackled to the ground. The gorgeous blonde straddled his waist as she attacked the inside of his hot mouth with her enthusiastic tongue. Smoothing her fingers along his sculpted abdominals and up to his firm chest, she sighed against his mouth when his trembling hands fell upon the satiny fabric covering her curvy hips. With a jolt the man pushed her backwards and pulled his lips away from hers in shock. A furious blush flying across his cheeks he looked into her annoyed gaze with wide eyes.
"Wha-what are you doing?" He demanded as she rolled off of him to sit back on her heels, revealing a gratuitous amount of her long legs as she did so.
"I thought I'd pay the Thunder God a little visit to celebrate his victory this evening," Mai purred as she fell to her hands and knees. Crawling over the lying man, her spectacular bust fell just in line with hazel eyes. She smiled fangily as he was momentarily hypnotized by her praiseworthy curves.
"Bu-but, I can't do this with you!" Jou protested as Mai lifted a skeptical brow. "You're not the gal I love." He breathed in amazement. The vampiress narrowed her amethyst orbs.
"Look bucko," she spoke softly, "I'm not looking for marriage or your undying devotion. I'm only here to gratify your every desire in exchange for a drop of blood or two." The busty blonde whispered through pouty lips. At the sound of the word 'blood' Jou gripped on to his neck with his hand nervously. "Or just the sex," she quickly corrected. "I did already feed tonight and I do find you downright irresistible." She winked. Gently pushing the woman away from him, Jou sat up and looked into her disappointed eyes.
"I'm sorry but that ain't me." Jou said nervously as he placed a hand behind his head. "I can't just make love to another girl when I love somebody else. No matter how beautiful ya are." He laughed goofily with a slight blush. Mai narrowed her eyes. Snapping angrily to her feet she stared down to him with a deep frown.
"What are you talking about?" She growled. "Make love? What kind of man doesn't like sex? Especially when I'm not asking for anything from you?" The woman demanded in disbelief. Standing to his full height he towered over her.
"Well of course I like it," he said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his dirty blonde hair. "But, well, I guess I'm just a good guy." He said with a shrug. Crossing her arms haughtily she upturned her nose into the air.
"Well good luck winning over your other fairy friend, then," Mai spoke bitterly. "Rei would rather light you on fire then give you an ounce of pleasure." Jou's shoulders fell as he released a forlorn sigh.
"Yea I know…" he said, sounding sad. The vampire shifted her angry amethyst eyes, and they softened slightly as she looked upon him. "But that ain't a reason to give up on someone you love right? I gotta try!" He said resolutely with a determined smile.
"I suppose so," Mai responded quietly and turned her lithe form to the door. "Sorry for bothering you," she said but stopped when Jou's hand reached and fell upon her shoulder. Turning to look at him she lifted an unimpressed eyebrow.
"Hey, since I'm up would like to stay and hang out?" He asked with a grin. "I've got this card game I like to play and no one to play it with. Just because we can't be lovers doesn't mean we can't be friends!" Mai placed a moody hand on her hip and looked down at her nails with wounded pride.
"The sun will be up soon. I had better be going." Her voice sounded completely void of interest.
"Oh, alright," Jou's voice fell. "Maybe some other time then." He said and shifted over to the desk to pick up and study the pack of cards in his palm. Shaking her head Mai moved to walk out the door but suddenly stopped to give him one last glance. The man looked saddened, almost if he really was crushed by the fact that Rei didn't return his feelings in the slightest. With a small sigh, the lady vampire turned around and smirked toward him.
"I'll stay. For just one game." She spoke holding a single finger into the air. Jou's face lit up happily as he flashed his pearly whites. "And under the condition that you teach me to really good at it so I can challenge Yami and defeat him." Mai revealed a fanged grin as she sat down on the floor before the fairy.
"Is he really that good at games?" The Prince questioned as he shuffled and dealt the cards. Mai rolled her ambient eyes as she picked up the thin objects placed before her.
"You have no idea."
THANK YOU to: Sesshy's Mistress, Eternalmoonprincess, Yami Nocturna, Saris Yui, RoseMouto2010, Cosmic-lover, Anexya, Serena-hime, and SailorVmoon1311815 for taking the time to read and review the last chapter.
So, I felt *really* bad that a lot of you weren't too pleased with the last installment so I worked really hard to get this done quick and it is pretty much *all* Serenity and Yami, riiiight? (And poor Yami is pretty hella frustrated XD)
This is definitely the most "steamy" chapter I've produced so far and to be honest I'm kind of testing the waters here for what I really had in mind so let me know if you thought it was too much (Fan service for everyone!) ^_^'
About the Bakura part in case it was confusing. When I mention the "Ka" thing, the Yu-gi-oh storyline sort of follows the Egyptian beliefs that a person's soul is split into a "Ba" and a "Ka." Pharaoh's were thought to have thousand Kas while normal people just had one. In Yu-gi-oh, Atem pretty much as three (The Three Egyptian God Monsters) so that's what I was talking about. Again I probably don't have it down exactly to the true Egyptian interpretation or Yu-gi-oh one but since it's this is just a fanfiction just cut me some slack and go with it! ^^
So there was a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter (keep it in mind for the next one! Mwhahaha) and we have the appearance of some more Sailor Moon characters! Akane and Reiko (Sailor Lead Crow and Sailor Aluminum Siren in the Anime/Manga). I really really love Sailor Lead Crow, she's awesome and really beautiful so I'm glad I got a chance to have her in this…and if you couldn't tell she's not quite done with this story yet, ;).
A small proposition for you all: I promise to have the next chapter out by next Tuesday (6-28-11) if I get at least 10 reviews by then! Pretty much everything from here on out will be primarily focused on Serenity/Yami since they're the main characters of this story…so I hoped I've redeemed myself and I very much appreciate your honest opinions! It really helps me become a better writer! :)