Alright, here goes more fun of creepy dreams, tempted priests, and the cat.
Fade
Kaoru groaned, the bright sunlight was an inescapable pain that seemed to burn the areas behind her skull. Slowly her eyes opened, fighting a loosing battle against the migraine, which sought to incapacitate her. It felt like her brain had swollen to twice its normal size and was now fighting with her eyes for much needed space. Through the heavy-headed pain she managed to find the floor, right below the bed where she had left it the night before. But now the green carpet felt unsteady and less than solid beneath her bare feet. Wavering steps led her into the bathroom and her habitual flip of a switch brought newfound agony to her poor abused eyes.
The harsh white lights on either side of the mirror revealed a pale, almost pasty, and haggard face. Deep circles, dark as burned holes, shadowed blood-shot eyes. This was definitely not her best morning. She spilled three aspirin into her trembling hand, finding small comfort in the clatter of the small pills. They slid easily down her throat to settle uneasily in her reluctant stomach. Steam rose from the now running water as she waited out of habit for the tub to fill. Ten minutes later she was settled into the awaiting water, ready to sleep once more.
Outside the church bells chimed, calling attention to morning's end. ~If it's noon, then why am I so tired?~ The though slid through her slowly clearing mind. Sighing in confusion she stretched, yawning at the exertion. Fingers slid through the water, her mind playing through yesterday's events. Then as the last bells died a recollection donned on her.
"Father Himura. . ." she whispered, sitting up with a splash. "Damn it, I over slept," and as if on que a brisk knock echoed from her front door. Cursing her luck Kaoru scrambled out of the tub, pulling the stopper and managing to drip/splash water everywhere. The knock sounded again as she frantically rummaged for clothing.
"Coming," she called, fighting to pull jeans on over her wet legs and to untwist a now half soaked white tank top before running to the door.
"Sorry," she called through the door, trying to catch her breath as fumbled with the deadbolt. "Hello Father Himura, please come in." She said, twisting up wet and tangled black hair into a bun and sticking a pen through it to hold the style.
Amethyst eyes widened as a shocked smile he prayed she wouldn't see through accompanied his hesitant words. "Yes. Thank you.Good afternoon, Ms Kamiya." He fumbled, making a definite effort to keep eye contact. He stepped through the door, amethyst eyes looking around the apartment for a distraction. Didn't she realize that although he was a priest, he was still a man; and her standing there out of breath, and wearing an almost soaked white shirt that made it painfully obvious what she wasn't wearing underneath was definitely not what he expected. Recovering himself from the initial shock he half listened as she rambled on obliviously, offering him a seat and coffee. He nodded, trying to avoid direct eye contact and half hoping half fearing that she would find a mirror and realize her situation. ~You and I, God, we need to talk. It's a little difficult to do my job when you insist on making temptation so. . .appealing.~ His thoughts trailed back to the girl who was busying herself in the apartment's small kitchen, luckily only her back was visible. Chiding himself, he forced amethyst eyes to contemplate the green caret as he buried the thoughts that were starting to taunt him from his mind. He sighed, concluding that this was definitely going to be a long day.
Fingers found the suddenly tight collar of his Cassock, slipping under the stiff fabric to adjust it in hopes of easing his discomfort. Violet eyes moved of their own volition to glance back towards the kitchen, watching as she poured the steaming liquid into two cups. Once more the feeling of uneasiness that crept over his skin in thactile waves of paranoia caused him to shift, glancing down at the floor.
Light brown eye looked up from a face of miss-matched fur with a look of half interest that hinted at human intelligence. Just a cat he thought, mind still trying to convince him that the creature couldn't see straight through his thoughts and soul. . .straight into the temptation that knotted in his heart blackening his faith with each thought he allowed it. With a full body stretch, the type only a cat could manage, it curled into a ball of disorganized markings and watched him through slitted eyes. The look was not necessarily a friendly one, but instead the neutral accusation hinting that the small creature could indeed see through him.
"Her name's Sprite." Kaoru said smiling as she picked up the cat, which allowed her to do so. Light brown eyes still watched him from where Sprite lounged in her arms a contented purr radiating from its throat. Kaoru looked down at the cat her fingers playing through Sprites soft fur as the fog in her mind finally cleared, completely oblivious to the violet eyes that watched her with a very unpriestly interest. Then as though finally remembering why she had come out to the living room she looked suddenly at him, not noticing the way he quickly glanced down. "How do you want your coffee, by the way?"
"Cream, no sugar." He choked out, finding the words hard to form, and grateful as she turned and walked back into the kitchen with the cat in tow. Muttering a prayer for strength sealed his mind to the task at hand.
In shadowed corners, their depths left untouched by the day's light, yellow eyes watched the priest with open distain. ~If only I could. . .~ The ghosts thoughts faded as the red agony of claws biting into its soul knocked him to floor and left him fighting not to dissipate into the house's anger. He could feel its hate for him, its joy at his torment, and its utter disgust at the priest who now sat in the small living room. Well, at least they agreed on one thing, he didn't like the priest much either, and that the girl applied the priests image to him just added to it. For a moment yellow eyes dimmed as he tried to remember features, a centuries worth of existence had slowly faded the memory of his face away. Franticly in a new wave of panic he search for some clue to what he looked like, to who he had been before the house. But even the memories he had to torment him were fading fast and leaving him as nothing but a vessel. Another wave of agony streaked through him, and the frustration of remembering was gone as the effort was ripped from him. Formless words tore in unheard tones of pain from his throat as teeth tore once more through his substance. In the kitchen Kaoru gasped, the cups she was carrying falling from her hands startling the cat at her feet, which gracefully jumped back and avoided the hot liquid that soaked into the floor. A scream, or the memory of one had torn through her mind, not herd but felt. Then the room was spinning and she was falling, the coffee dark and thick beneath her as she fell. Her knees hit the floor hard, the pain only serving to send the confusion farther. When she opened her eyes the apartment was different, the wall were water damaged, streaked with a crusty brown that didn't look like rust. Beneath her knees the coffee had turned to a spreading pool of sickly red brown as whispers rose in her ears, screaming in wordless howls in her ears. Slowly she lifted her eyes, familiarity screaming in her mind as the dream filtered back in blinding flashes behind her eyes. Red hair pooled on the spreading filth, tangling and encrusting its strands as yellow eyes stared at her, their depths pain racked as another formless scream tore from the man's sheer being.
"Father Himura!" She screamed, though knowing that it wasn't him. Atop the tortured figure the blackened claws and diseased teeth of the creature from her dreams tore into exposed flesh. Dead eyes, the color of sickly red met hers as it noticed her, recognizing her as she did it. A low growl came from its tattered throat, the sound like cancer as it spread to her, filthy in its tones of hate and envy. She screamed again as it leaped from its victim, jaws wide to tare into her, then she was knocked back, her head hitting the kitchen floor as teeth closed just above her throat, close enough that its breath burned her skin and the drool falling between yellowed teeth began to pool on her throat. Her only thought was to get the offending liquid off her, disgust making her fight against taloned paws that pinned her and teeth that sought her throat.
The sound of ceramic shattering brought Father Himura out of his thoughts, then he herd her fall, the hallow thud of knees hitting the floor. This had him standing from the chair and walking towards the kitchen. The scream that followed had him running the short distance, as his mind made sense of the frantic tones picking the syllables of his name out of her shrieks.
She was kneeling on the on the kitchen floor, a pool of shattered mugs and coffee surrounding her. Wide blue eyes stared past him, her face stark with terror as he approached her. "Kaoru." He spoke softly, his hand gripping her shoulder. She screamed again, falling backwards, the force pulling him with her to the floor. Blue eyes focused unseeing on him, fingers trying to fight him as his hand closed over her shoulders. Nails clawed at his cheek, drawing a single line of blood that ran hotly down his face to drip on her throat. "Kaoru!" He yelled, shaking her shoulders as she fought him. "Kaoru, wake up!"
Past the wolf that assaulted her, Kaoru saw the yellow-eyed man rise anger brewing in their molten depths. Caught between freedom and torment he stared at the wolf, the house's personal demon, as it tried to devour the blue eyed girl. ~Kaoru~ He knew her name some how, the word coming to his lips as he threw himself at the wolf, hand knotting in tainted fur that burned with each touch. 'Kaoru, wake up!' he yelled, rolling with fur and teeth.
Then she was lying on the kitchen floor, Amethyst eyes frantic as hands gripped her shoulder. She felt something warm wet on her throat, as her mind slowly returned to reality. "W. . ." She tried to speak, blinking carefully. "Father. . ." She whispered hoarsely, causing him to stop moving inches away from her.
"Kaoru," he whispered breathlessly, still sitting astride her. In that moment their proximity sunk in, he could feel her beneath him, almost feel her breath on him.
"Father Himura, " she began, then stopped, her eyes focusing on his cheek. "You're bleeding. . .How. . ."
Her words brought him back, and he moved to sit beside her. Sighing he explained what had happened and how he had found her screaming on the kitchen floor. Carefully, with the reverence one would use on something fragile, he helped her stand, leading her into the living room.
Vesca- *Grins at the thought of an action figure* As for the Saitou/Kenshin battle in regards to the wolf, I see the resemblance, though it wasn't entirely what I had in mind. Kard- Sprite'll make an appearance soon enough. Kaoru didn't sleep well because of the nightmare (which she currently can't remember).
Kard- Alright, there's two distinct personalities in the House (other than Kaoru). One is the yellow-eyed shadow (which was what came between her and the wolfish thing in her dream) and the other has appeared as the wolf-like creature so far. The shadow was once human (the first half of the dream was her catching fleeting memories from its life), the wolf-thing is not. . .and it's very nasty, as you will soon see. Chiruken- You should do your own fics, I'd be interest in reading some of them. Vesca- Good, there's more creepiness to come. Omochi- I believe you jut gave me an idea. . .*grins evilly* thank you
Fade
Kaoru groaned, the bright sunlight was an inescapable pain that seemed to burn the areas behind her skull. Slowly her eyes opened, fighting a loosing battle against the migraine, which sought to incapacitate her. It felt like her brain had swollen to twice its normal size and was now fighting with her eyes for much needed space. Through the heavy-headed pain she managed to find the floor, right below the bed where she had left it the night before. But now the green carpet felt unsteady and less than solid beneath her bare feet. Wavering steps led her into the bathroom and her habitual flip of a switch brought newfound agony to her poor abused eyes.
The harsh white lights on either side of the mirror revealed a pale, almost pasty, and haggard face. Deep circles, dark as burned holes, shadowed blood-shot eyes. This was definitely not her best morning. She spilled three aspirin into her trembling hand, finding small comfort in the clatter of the small pills. They slid easily down her throat to settle uneasily in her reluctant stomach. Steam rose from the now running water as she waited out of habit for the tub to fill. Ten minutes later she was settled into the awaiting water, ready to sleep once more.
Outside the church bells chimed, calling attention to morning's end. ~If it's noon, then why am I so tired?~ The though slid through her slowly clearing mind. Sighing in confusion she stretched, yawning at the exertion. Fingers slid through the water, her mind playing through yesterday's events. Then as the last bells died a recollection donned on her.
"Father Himura. . ." she whispered, sitting up with a splash. "Damn it, I over slept," and as if on que a brisk knock echoed from her front door. Cursing her luck Kaoru scrambled out of the tub, pulling the stopper and managing to drip/splash water everywhere. The knock sounded again as she frantically rummaged for clothing.
"Coming," she called, fighting to pull jeans on over her wet legs and to untwist a now half soaked white tank top before running to the door.
"Sorry," she called through the door, trying to catch her breath as fumbled with the deadbolt. "Hello Father Himura, please come in." She said, twisting up wet and tangled black hair into a bun and sticking a pen through it to hold the style.
Amethyst eyes widened as a shocked smile he prayed she wouldn't see through accompanied his hesitant words. "Yes. Thank you.Good afternoon, Ms Kamiya." He fumbled, making a definite effort to keep eye contact. He stepped through the door, amethyst eyes looking around the apartment for a distraction. Didn't she realize that although he was a priest, he was still a man; and her standing there out of breath, and wearing an almost soaked white shirt that made it painfully obvious what she wasn't wearing underneath was definitely not what he expected. Recovering himself from the initial shock he half listened as she rambled on obliviously, offering him a seat and coffee. He nodded, trying to avoid direct eye contact and half hoping half fearing that she would find a mirror and realize her situation. ~You and I, God, we need to talk. It's a little difficult to do my job when you insist on making temptation so. . .appealing.~ His thoughts trailed back to the girl who was busying herself in the apartment's small kitchen, luckily only her back was visible. Chiding himself, he forced amethyst eyes to contemplate the green caret as he buried the thoughts that were starting to taunt him from his mind. He sighed, concluding that this was definitely going to be a long day.
Fingers found the suddenly tight collar of his Cassock, slipping under the stiff fabric to adjust it in hopes of easing his discomfort. Violet eyes moved of their own volition to glance back towards the kitchen, watching as she poured the steaming liquid into two cups. Once more the feeling of uneasiness that crept over his skin in thactile waves of paranoia caused him to shift, glancing down at the floor.
Light brown eye looked up from a face of miss-matched fur with a look of half interest that hinted at human intelligence. Just a cat he thought, mind still trying to convince him that the creature couldn't see straight through his thoughts and soul. . .straight into the temptation that knotted in his heart blackening his faith with each thought he allowed it. With a full body stretch, the type only a cat could manage, it curled into a ball of disorganized markings and watched him through slitted eyes. The look was not necessarily a friendly one, but instead the neutral accusation hinting that the small creature could indeed see through him.
"Her name's Sprite." Kaoru said smiling as she picked up the cat, which allowed her to do so. Light brown eyes still watched him from where Sprite lounged in her arms a contented purr radiating from its throat. Kaoru looked down at the cat her fingers playing through Sprites soft fur as the fog in her mind finally cleared, completely oblivious to the violet eyes that watched her with a very unpriestly interest. Then as though finally remembering why she had come out to the living room she looked suddenly at him, not noticing the way he quickly glanced down. "How do you want your coffee, by the way?"
"Cream, no sugar." He choked out, finding the words hard to form, and grateful as she turned and walked back into the kitchen with the cat in tow. Muttering a prayer for strength sealed his mind to the task at hand.
In shadowed corners, their depths left untouched by the day's light, yellow eyes watched the priest with open distain. ~If only I could. . .~ The ghosts thoughts faded as the red agony of claws biting into its soul knocked him to floor and left him fighting not to dissipate into the house's anger. He could feel its hate for him, its joy at his torment, and its utter disgust at the priest who now sat in the small living room. Well, at least they agreed on one thing, he didn't like the priest much either, and that the girl applied the priests image to him just added to it. For a moment yellow eyes dimmed as he tried to remember features, a centuries worth of existence had slowly faded the memory of his face away. Franticly in a new wave of panic he search for some clue to what he looked like, to who he had been before the house. But even the memories he had to torment him were fading fast and leaving him as nothing but a vessel. Another wave of agony streaked through him, and the frustration of remembering was gone as the effort was ripped from him. Formless words tore in unheard tones of pain from his throat as teeth tore once more through his substance. In the kitchen Kaoru gasped, the cups she was carrying falling from her hands startling the cat at her feet, which gracefully jumped back and avoided the hot liquid that soaked into the floor. A scream, or the memory of one had torn through her mind, not herd but felt. Then the room was spinning and she was falling, the coffee dark and thick beneath her as she fell. Her knees hit the floor hard, the pain only serving to send the confusion farther. When she opened her eyes the apartment was different, the wall were water damaged, streaked with a crusty brown that didn't look like rust. Beneath her knees the coffee had turned to a spreading pool of sickly red brown as whispers rose in her ears, screaming in wordless howls in her ears. Slowly she lifted her eyes, familiarity screaming in her mind as the dream filtered back in blinding flashes behind her eyes. Red hair pooled on the spreading filth, tangling and encrusting its strands as yellow eyes stared at her, their depths pain racked as another formless scream tore from the man's sheer being.
"Father Himura!" She screamed, though knowing that it wasn't him. Atop the tortured figure the blackened claws and diseased teeth of the creature from her dreams tore into exposed flesh. Dead eyes, the color of sickly red met hers as it noticed her, recognizing her as she did it. A low growl came from its tattered throat, the sound like cancer as it spread to her, filthy in its tones of hate and envy. She screamed again as it leaped from its victim, jaws wide to tare into her, then she was knocked back, her head hitting the kitchen floor as teeth closed just above her throat, close enough that its breath burned her skin and the drool falling between yellowed teeth began to pool on her throat. Her only thought was to get the offending liquid off her, disgust making her fight against taloned paws that pinned her and teeth that sought her throat.
The sound of ceramic shattering brought Father Himura out of his thoughts, then he herd her fall, the hallow thud of knees hitting the floor. This had him standing from the chair and walking towards the kitchen. The scream that followed had him running the short distance, as his mind made sense of the frantic tones picking the syllables of his name out of her shrieks.
She was kneeling on the on the kitchen floor, a pool of shattered mugs and coffee surrounding her. Wide blue eyes stared past him, her face stark with terror as he approached her. "Kaoru." He spoke softly, his hand gripping her shoulder. She screamed again, falling backwards, the force pulling him with her to the floor. Blue eyes focused unseeing on him, fingers trying to fight him as his hand closed over her shoulders. Nails clawed at his cheek, drawing a single line of blood that ran hotly down his face to drip on her throat. "Kaoru!" He yelled, shaking her shoulders as she fought him. "Kaoru, wake up!"
Past the wolf that assaulted her, Kaoru saw the yellow-eyed man rise anger brewing in their molten depths. Caught between freedom and torment he stared at the wolf, the house's personal demon, as it tried to devour the blue eyed girl. ~Kaoru~ He knew her name some how, the word coming to his lips as he threw himself at the wolf, hand knotting in tainted fur that burned with each touch. 'Kaoru, wake up!' he yelled, rolling with fur and teeth.
Then she was lying on the kitchen floor, Amethyst eyes frantic as hands gripped her shoulder. She felt something warm wet on her throat, as her mind slowly returned to reality. "W. . ." She tried to speak, blinking carefully. "Father. . ." She whispered hoarsely, causing him to stop moving inches away from her.
"Kaoru," he whispered breathlessly, still sitting astride her. In that moment their proximity sunk in, he could feel her beneath him, almost feel her breath on him.
"Father Himura, " she began, then stopped, her eyes focusing on his cheek. "You're bleeding. . .How. . ."
Her words brought him back, and he moved to sit beside her. Sighing he explained what had happened and how he had found her screaming on the kitchen floor. Carefully, with the reverence one would use on something fragile, he helped her stand, leading her into the living room.
Vesca- *Grins at the thought of an action figure* As for the Saitou/Kenshin battle in regards to the wolf, I see the resemblance, though it wasn't entirely what I had in mind. Kard- Sprite'll make an appearance soon enough. Kaoru didn't sleep well because of the nightmare (which she currently can't remember).
Kard- Alright, there's two distinct personalities in the House (other than Kaoru). One is the yellow-eyed shadow (which was what came between her and the wolfish thing in her dream) and the other has appeared as the wolf-like creature so far. The shadow was once human (the first half of the dream was her catching fleeting memories from its life), the wolf-thing is not. . .and it's very nasty, as you will soon see. Chiruken- You should do your own fics, I'd be interest in reading some of them. Vesca- Good, there's more creepiness to come. Omochi- I believe you jut gave me an idea. . .*grins evilly* thank you