Rim: Here comes yet another chapter of this story. I've thought about it for a while and finally discovered exactly what I'm going to write. I plan to get the rest of this story churned out, and if I play my cards right, the last chapter falls on Halloween day for kicks. Well, thanks for all the reviews last chapter, and let's hope you all like this one just as much as I finally make a few tie ins.
-oooooo-
The darkness of the room wrapped comfortably around the two bodies entwined with one another, the silence of the room undisturbed, giving one of the two figures a chance to think. Slowly shifting into a more comfortable position, regardless of the fact that he was in the arms of someone that he was suppose to hate more than the world itself, the former heir to the Ivanov clan tilted his head up, making out the features of the dual haired vampire contently sleeping. Tala's eyes studied the soft features, trying to understand why this face tugged at his soul in such a way that he could not lay harm to it, no matter how much he wanted to.
Or rather, thought he wanted to. He could tell himself that he wanted to destroy this vampire all day and night long, but when it came down to it, he had no real desire to act upon it. His will was slowly breaking down, bringing him to realize that with time, his will for killing this vampire would completely disappear, and he just might accept his new life with the other.
Might...there was a possibility that might could become a could or a has. If there was one thing he learned over the course of meeting up with this vampire, it was that the future was never certain, and trying to second guess it was a waste of time. Had he been glued to his life as a mortal human who hunted vampires, he would have continued to live half a life, never knowing what a huge secret his family kept and went on killing vampires ignorantly.
Closing his eyes momentarily, he listened to Kai's soft content breathing. It was hard to image that this was the exact same vampire he heard stories about hating humans. If it was really true, why had Kai turned him? Was it just because of the vampire blood in him? Or was there possibly more? Sure he learned that his grandmother watched over Kai when he was small, until the boy's parents were killed by the very clan which became his birth right. Had Kai grew lonely not trusting anyone, and it was just coincidence he placed his trust with Tala?
Opening his eyes again, he watched Kai sleep peacefully, Tala wondered if for the first time in a long time since the death of his parents. In a way, they were both the same coming down to it. Ironically, they hated each other's species because of the wrongs against them when they were only children. Tala's family destroyed Kai's mother and father, leaving a little boy to fuel his hatred for humans, whilst a vampire took Tala's mother and father away from him, leading Tala to hate vampires. The irony in that made them perfect for each other, even more than Tala being the grandson of the woman who cared for Kai as a child.
Shifting his eyes up to the ceiling, Tala wondered exactly when had life become so damn screwed up. Since becoming the very thing he was supposed to hate, his emotions contradicted themselves. He was more alive than when he was human, he felt completely whole and confident in finally knowing himself, yet a sliver of unconsciousness screamed at him disgustingly for allowing his vampire side to take over. He figured it was still the human part of him, that was programmed to believe that.
"However...humans have no right to say what is disgusting and what is right...not all the time...the same goes for vampires," Tala whispered to the darkness, thinking about Tetsuya Shinsugami, and the message that he left with Tala only days before.
-flashback-
"You shouldn't allow what he said to get under your skin," Kai remarked with a slow to rise smile in the corners of his mouth. His eyes watched the indignant male fuming from where he sat in his lap. Kai wrapped his arms around the red head who tried to pull away from him.
"Take your arms from around me, I don't need your comfort," Tala scowled, pulling himself out of Kai's lap, only to have the senior vampire pull him back to him, rewrapping his arms around Tala with a smile that could have melt the hearts of all that saw it. As always, the tips of Kai's fangs showed through, his eyes dancing with ember lights in amusement to Tala's agitation. The red head turned his head away, his face flaming about as red as his hair. He had no idea why he was affected by it, it was simply a smile.
"You don't want my comfort," Kai corrected.
"I don't need your comfort," Tala argued.
"Need and want are two different words, Tala," Kai chuckled, leaning his head in to scrape his fangs lightly against Tala's nape. Tala repressed a hiss of pleasure, refusing to allow Kai to know how sensitive he was whenever the dual haired vampire did that. Of course, that didn't escape Kai's observant eyes. "Why do you always resist me?"
"I'm not resisting," Tala stated.
"Or so you say," Kai murmured, moving his mouth lower. "I want you to tell me if you like it or not. I want to teach you much, but only when you realize that you will need me to an extent. My grandfather doesn't believe you can rise to the potent which I see. That's why he dismissed you in such a fashion."
"I'm not going to be what you expect of me," Tala mumbled, his eyes closing slightly. "I'm going to make my own way in this life now."
"If you plan to do that, then you will still need my guidance. If you trust me, no matter what happens in the future, you can overcome it. You might even eventually get the urge to unite and lead the Kagekidan and Shinsugami clans under your control. There hasn't been a strong leader for the Kagekidan clan in decades, and Katsumi was the truly last brilliant member of the Shinsugami clan," Kai spoke.
"Why would I want to do a thing like that?" Tala scoffed.
"Why wouldn't you want to do a thing like that?" Kai asked. "They are both your birthright. You have no idea the sort of power you would have leading them. Not just that, when the Kagekidan clan realizes you are a full blooded heir, they will welcome you with open arms."
"I don't care about that," Tala shook his head, thinking about what Kai was saying. He remained quiet for a brief moment, until a thought popped into his head. Pulling away from Kai to turn and stare into the senior vampire's eyes, he raised a brow of curiosity. "What are these clans that you speak about? I've never heard anything about them."
"It doesn't surprise me," Kai replied, leaning back to study Tala. "I don't believe your grandmother would mentioned the three founding vampire clans."
"What founding vampire clans?" Tala inquired, this being the first time that it was mentioned to him. How much had his grandmother kept out of his knowledge, and the knowledge of the others members of the Ivanov family. If there were founding clans which connected all vampires, why hadn't she told him and allowed him to end this power struggle that had been going on for centuries. Was she trying to protect her old ties to a life he knew nothing about?
Staring at Tala, Kai opened his mouth to speak, when there came a knock on the door. Neither spoke a word as another knock on the door sounded. Standing from where he sat, the dual haired vampire walked over to the door, pulling it open. Behind it stood a young demon boy with its head bowed to him. Kai's eyes raked over the servant silently.
"What is it, Rukia?" Kai raised a brow as the demon lifted its head up, sulfur colored eyes shifted to a point just below meeting the vampire's eyes. It amused him how none of the demons within the household-with exception to Boris-could meet his gaze, even when he thought them no different than the other members of the house.
"Master Kai, there is a visitor who wishes an audience with you," the demon boy said, shifting his eyes to a point behind him. Kai's eyes followed Rukia's glance, noting the man standing behind the boy.
"Well, if it isn't Tetsuya. What do I owe for this visit?" Kai spoke directly to the man leaning against the wall. The demon boy stepped away as the slightly taller man stepped forward into the doorway. Tala had a case of déjà vu staring at the newcomer who reminded him of his grandmother. Tetsuya smiled at the young Hiwatari heir, then shifted his eyes to the former heir of the Ivanov clan.
"It's been quite a while since we've spoken Kai," Tetsuya bowed. "You are looking as well as ever."
"You wanted an audience with me? What is it that I can do for you?" Kai wondered.
"I came to ask if you would allow me to speak with Tala," Tetsuya said, his amethyst eyes tinged with crimson still on Tala. "There's much I wish to tell him."
"Who are you? How do you know me?" Tala questioned suspiciously.
"You have no idea who he is, do you?" Kai chuckled.
"No...should I?" Tala replied inquisitively, looking between Kai and the newcomer Kai had called Tetsuya.
"I suppose I should introduce myself then. My name is Tetsuya Shinsugami, and it's a pleasure to meet you Tala Ivanov," Tetsuya bowed with a smile. "I do believe that you've heard my name from Katsumi and Staven."
"My grandmother...and Staven? Tala blinked, before the thought hit him. Gaping at the male, he couldn't believe that he was in the presence of his grandmother's brother. The one who left her in the care of the Hiwatari family to grow up. Tetsuya, seeing the look on Tala's face chuckled.
"Yes, I am your grandmother's older brother. You're exactly as Staven described you," Tetsuya smiled.
-flashback ends-
Tala sat up, untangling himself from Kai's embrace. The dual haired vampire mumbled something in his sleep before turning over on his side, falling deeper into sleep. Tala eyed Kai for a long second, his heart pounding in his chest as he leaned forward, pressing his lips lightly to Kai's forehead. Had Kai not come along, he would have never thought about being this gentle with anyone, not even Rei. Moving away from Kai, Tala slid off the bed, reaching for his previously discarded clothing.
Silently putting on the dark pants, his mind went back to Tetsuya Shinsugami, one of the oldest members of the Shinsugami clan. The clan that Tala himself along with his sister and grandmother belonged to. In a way, they were outsiders, because of the sheer volume of potent vampire blood running through their veins. His sister's blood wasn't as strong as his, but it was going to be strong enough to place her as the heir to the Ivanov clan now. Unbeknowst to her, she would help to carry on the Shinsugami line through her offspring that may one day discover the truth like he did.
It unsettled him in ways to know that if that were to happen, there was a possibility they would not be like him. They may go insane, they may even turn, feeding on humans only to be hunted down later. Tala didn't want to allow that to happen to any of the members of his family. He wanted to be there for them all in the long run, imparting the knowledge that was passed on to him. Maybe that's why Tetsuya appeared to him days ago. The current heir to the Shinsugami clan wanted to make sure that his apprentice was ready for the future.
-flashback-
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Tala questioned when finally he and his grandmother's brother were finally alone in the room. Tetsuya managed to talk Kai into letting them have their privacy for whatever it was the older vampire wanted to speak to Tala over. Tala studied the man, unable to come up with a inkling as to what it was on Tetsuya's mind.
"You're wondering what's so important that I wanted to speak to you alone, aren't you, Tala?" Tetsuya questioned, noting the look on Tala's face.
"How did you know?" Tala wondered if this man could read his mind. Or was it just a look that showed on his face?
"You have this look on your face that says everything. It makes it relatively easy for me to read you when you have such an open mindset. I suppose that's what makes Kai so at ease with you," Tetsuya smiled. "And yes, in fact I do have something very important and necessary to discuss with you that I don't want Kai interfering with. I want you to have a chance to think about this on your own without his feedback."
"What is it?" Tala questioned.
Tetsuya's eyes became serious as he sat back in his chair. His eyes never leaving Tala's face for a second while he opened his mouth. "Your grandmother, I'm sure, never mentioned the three founding vampire clans, did she?"
"No, Kai mentioned something about it before you arrived. What are these three families that I'm betting my life on, no human hunter knows a thing about? Is the Hiwatari family one of them?" Tala asked.
"No, the Hiwatari family stems from one of the families, just like the Ivanov family branches off from another one of the families because they were cursed," Tetsuya replied.
"I've been wondering that, why was the Ivanov clan cursed to have vampire blood, why didn't this vampire family that placed the curse on the Ivanov family just kill off all the members? Vampires, especially aristocratic ones are ruthless and violent," Tala wondered.
"That's a simple question that dates back to the beginnings of vampire history itself," Tetsuya spoke.
"When the first vampire was created because one single human being traded his soul for power?" Tala answered back.
"Is that how the humans still see it?" Tetsuya shook his head. "I suppose I need to educate you on the vampire history that humans have soiled with their lies and their fears of us. Did you know that the Devil isn't as evil as you believe him to be? In fact, when God cast out the angel who betrayed him, he did not go to Hell. The Devil fell to Earth, shamed and unable to see another ray of light least the other angels in Heaven ridicule him more for his actions. For centuries, he lived in the shadows alone, reliving his betrayal over and over again as punishment."
"And he decided to get revenge on God for being cast out of Heaven, right?" Tala responded.
"No, he did nothing. His shame weighed him down like unbreakable shackles for more centuries than he wanted to live. One day, that changed when a boy came across the Devil's path one night as he escaped his own persecution of the village he lived at for many years. You see, he had been falsely accused of his parents' slaughter and nobody believe the boy that it was in fact his grandfather who had accomplished the task. The villagers had beaten the boy within an inch of his young life," Tetsuya sighed.
"What did the Devil do, seeing this boy before him?" Tala didn't know whether or not to believe this story. Surely the Devil wasn't as flawed a creature as Tetsuya was making him out to be. The Devil had chosen to defy and betray God, leading to God casting him out of Heaven. For so many centuries, the Devil could not have just been living in shame, he would have been plotting a way to undermine God more. Yet the look in Tetsuya's eyes whilst he told the story seemed credible in some way. Maybe it was just that Tetsuya had no reason to lie to Tala, he didn't ask for more than for Tala to listen to him, without any outside sources interfering.
"The Devil listened to the boy's story, telling the young child that life was always like that, however the Devil took pity on the boy, giving him life that was cut so short. He gave the boy animal like instincts to survive without becoming caught, and power only those in Heaven knew. In this act, the angels in Heaven came, striking the Devil down, where he would no longer touch mankind. The Devil's sympathy to help one young boy sent him to Hell where he dwells now for all eternity," Tetsuya spoke.
"That's why vampires can see so well in the dark, and have fangs? And why vampires drink the blood of humans?" Tala queried.
"Fangs came much later down the lines, along with the blood drinking thing," Tetsuya shoot his head. "But yes, when it comes to vampire magic and heightened senses, those stem from the gift the Devil gave to the young boy."
"What about the boy?"
"He was a product of the Devil, he was cast out of the light. Those who came across this ageless, powerful being veered away. It is human nature to fear what they are not. The boy grew into a young man, but grew no more. He eventually found love, telling his wife about what he was and how he was helped by the Devil. His wife feared him, and the children they had together. One night in fact, she tried to kill her husband and five children. Two managed to escape with the husband, the other three were captured and executed as demons. Those three dead children became what they were called." Tetsuya shifted in his chair, taking a momentary break from his findings when he left his sister in the care of the Hiwatari family. He wanted to tell her also, although his heart was certain she knew a hint of truth in the life she was forced to live. It was more important now that Tala knew and made a decision to remember what he was told. As the link between both Kagekidan and Shinsugami, his role in life would one day be important with this information placed in his hands.
"The first demons were children..."
"Their spirits could not move on from the injustice, and was bound to this earth. Those who died of such injustices they weren't allowed to move on with, became demons that hunters slay," Tetsuya added. "The actions of humans bound their hands to stopping what they, themselves created out of greed, lust, jealousy, and hatred. It still happens from time to time, which is why demons will never really stop existing."
"I just thought they were sent from Hell by the Devil..." Tala murmured.
"No, my dear Tala, they are products of humankind's need to be superior to everything else, even their own kind. That's why some are beggars while others are rich. Why some have to sell themselves for food, while others gamble their money away," Tetsuya sighed.
"And the vampire and his children...?" Tala wondered.
"They lived in darkness, occasionally coming out into the light as a longing to be part of the world that feared them. The two children eventually left their father to live. The oldest son who escaped with his father was killed when the village he lived in found out that he was a creature who never aged, the second oldest son was who started the vampire lines," Tetsuya commented.
"How?" Tala inquired. "What happened to the father?"
"No one really knows. Some say he was killed, others speculate he is sitting in isolation somewhere watching the transition between the generations, no one really knows. In my travels, I have found no evidence of his death, just his disappearance," Tetsuya answered. "Of course, the second oldest son never lived in a village too long. From each wife he had, he would take the first born child and leave so they could not do to him like what happened to his father. The first born daughter started the Ishitsuka clan that Kai's family branches off. The first born son started the Kagekidan clan that cursed the Ivanov family. And last, the second born son started the Shinsugami clan that Katsumi and I directly link from."
"You mean, the Shinsugami family is one of the original founding vampire clans?" Tala gaped.
"Our family did not branch off like the other two," Tetsuya smiled, only to have it last a few seconds as he continued on with his story. "Our ancestor did not wish to allow those who were born into it, to leave for fear that they would be slaughtered. The founding vampire clans were much like any other clan, seeing as how they wanted to blend with humans. They did not drink blood or start the war that's been taking place for as long as anyone can remember. They carried the knowledge of what happened to the Devil and the young man that saw three of his children killed."
"Then why did the war start? If the vampires didn't start it--" Tala began.
"A vampire child from the Ishitsuka clan wanted to befriend a human child. Casting a small spell undid the child's efforts as the child was killed. The vampire clans were cursed as creatures worst than animals. That curse was heard by angels who still held grudges against the Devil. This is where fangs came from, and even sharper animalistic instincts. The angels came from heaven, giving man the power of alchemy to fight vampires. And thus the war began," Tetsuya replied.
"Where does the drinking blood part come in at?"
"When one small group of rebel Kagekidan vampires grew tired of hiding like the others and managed to talking another rebel group from the Ishitsuka and Shinsugami clans into taking human blood as a way to get back at Heaven for cursing them. Human blood awoke a greater power in them, telling others about it. Eventually, the taking of blood was done by each generation until it was so common, that they could now turn others into vampires through human digestion of vampire blood," Tetsuya explained. "Those foolish few caused innocent vampires to be ridiculed the same as the guilty ones."
"That's why all vampires are hunted now," Tala declared, Tetsuya nodding to the statement. "That's why the Kagekidan clan didn't destory the Ivanov clan when their heir was killed. They were one of the few that didn't want to get involved in the war."
"Exactly, instead the Kagekidan clan wanted the Ivanov clan to make amends for what happened. Because the Ivanov clan could not slaughter their own offspring as easily, they tried to prevent the vampire spirit in the human children to take over. There are still many members of that clan which still exist," Tetsuya announced.
"Are you telling me this because you think I should be their new heir because I have Kagekidan blood running through my veins?" Tala replied.
"No, it would be a good chance to speak with those who have tried to live with humans and not cause a conflict with them. It's a chance to have your eyes opened, like mine were. After a group of hunters destroyed my family, I was willing to kill every human that I saw in order to stop the pain of injustice in my heart. Katsumi was still very young at the time and unable to survive on her own, so she was my first priority above everything else. Once I put her under the care of the Hiwatari family, I went out to do a bit of soul searching, discovering what I'm telling you now," Tetsuya remarked.
"Other than you, my grandmother, my sister, and I...are there any other members of the Shinsugami family that survived?" Tala asked, wondering if they were the last in the line of vampires he knew nothing about existing.
"A few who wish that I would become heir to a nearly lost legacy," Tetsuya chuckled, thinking about his grandfather and grandmother who were away during the time with his younger sister, Katsumi had no idea existed. Tetsuya had no plans to return to a family he was no longer worthy of. He still had much to do before he thought about returning where the rest of the clan lived.
"Are any of them directly related to you?"
"Yes, a grandmother and grandfather, and my other younger sister's family. They were away during the time of the attack. I haven't told them about Katsumi yet. They might do something drastic to return her to the Shinsugami family, leaving the Ivanov clan very vulnerable. It's necessary that the Ivanov clan survive much like the other families," Tetsuya stated.
"Even though they hunt vampires indiscriminately?" Tala asked.
"I do believe it will come together in the end. Besides, you have those you love in that family. So do I, Tala. I do not want to lose anymore family because of this war," Tetsuya whispered, lowering his eyes to the carpet.
"I'm sorry..." Tala apologized. "I wasn't thinking about that...you're right, I don't want to lose anyone else either. I can now understand why we were cut off from the rest of the world. Our own flaws and prejudices convicted and isolated us...until we learn how to live with ourselves, we can learn to live with others."
"That's one way to sum it up," Tetsuya nodded.
"Tetsuya-san..." Tala said.
"Yes?" Tetsuya met Tala's eyes, noting the change in those crimson tinged eyes. Deeper in his soul, he knew this turn of fate was for the better. He had nothing to regret if he were ever to die by the hands of a hunter.
"Thank you for telling me this. Right now I might not be able to believe everything you told me, but it gives me something to think about," Tala voiced.
"I don't expect you to take all this in at once and accept it wholeheartedly. We can not change our hearts in a day, it takes time and patience, and a will to give chance a try," Tetsuya commented, standing up from his chair. "Thank you for allowing me to speak with you, I must go find Staven now and make sure he's all right."
"Earlier you said you knew Staven...tell me...are you the reason he quit hunting?" Tala interrogated.
Tetsuya thought for a long second, then smiled. "I suppose I am. His friendship is one of the things I treasure as much as my family."
"Was I who I use to be...I wouldn't have believed such a thing was possible. But you've given me a new viewpoint in life. Take care, Tetsuya-san." Tala stood up, returning the man's smile.
"You too, Tala."
-flashback ends-
"Where are you going..." The sleep slurred voice brought Tala out of his thoughts, turning his eyes to the bed. Kai was half sleepily watching him dress, tousled hair falling over one eye, making the older vampire appear irresistible. More so than ever, Tala had a feeling no one else had seen the heir to the Hiwatari in this manner. He imagined Kai was never more comfortable sleeping, than now with his presence beside the Hiwatari vampire.
"I'm going out to do a bit of soul searching," Tala replied quietly, pulling on this other boot. "Go back to sleep."
"Soul searching..." Kai blinked sleepily, a brow raised in question. "There's nothing you have to think so hard about..."
"There's much I have to think about," Tala corrected. "I'll return in a little while. Go back to sleep, I won't be gone long."
"You better not..." Kai mumbled sleepily, turning over and immediately going back to sleep. Tala felt the corner of his mouth twitch into a smile, watching Kai. There definitely was a chance that he would become truly at ease with the way life was going. Whether deadly for him or not, he would not know until he finally came to the decision to step forward or remain in the dark.
-oooooo-
Rimnerel: Oh my freaking hell...I did not think it would take me nearly a month to finish this chapter. I don't even know why it took me that long to get this chapter done...I blame everything and everyone other than myself for distractions! Well, now that I have this out the way, we can move on to the next chapter.