BLOOD MOON RISING

II

Tired of livin' like a blind man




The afternoon of the following day Nasuti received a phone call at the University in the ancient history department.

"Yaguy-san?" said the secretary.

"Yes, Yui?" came the annoyed reply.

"There is a man on the phone for you professor."

Nasutie barley heard Yui for she was trying to translate the last sentence of the latest discovery. An ancient poem, believed to be about Susano, the Storm God, second son of Izangai and Izanami. The dialect was old and nearly impossible to break. Nasuti was always stuck with the tedious work, when others were in doubt they would throw the leftovers to her and would take the credit once she finished. Her peers were going to be over their heads once she manages to finish her book on ancient mythology and mystical armor. She would outshine them and take a position which would set her above all. Pricks, they'll get what's coming to them… Nasuti lost track of her thoughts and asked Yui to repeat her message again.

"There's a young man on the phone Yaguy-san. He wishes to speak with you," her tone was apologetic, "I told him you're busy, but he insist that it is important, a must."

"Who is it, Yui?

"I'm sorry, but he would not say."

"All right, I guess you can put him through." She slowly replied, wondering who could be on the phone.

"Will do Yaguy-san."

"Yui?"

"Yes Yaguy-san?" was the humble reply.

A flash of humor crossed Nasuti's face. "Yiu, stop being so formal. You make me feel 'really' old. For crying out loud, you're my friend, not my slave."

"As you wish Mistress Nasuti," she teased.

Nasuti clicked one of the buttons on her phone for the incoming phone call. "Good evening, Yaguy speaking. How may I help you?"

"Yaguy-san," the voice was velvet-edged and strong, it sounded very familiar.

Nasuti gasped as she realized who the voice belonged to, "Seiji, is that you?" she said rather quickly, toying with the cord of the phone.

"No, it's Brad Pitt." The voice drawled with distinct mockery.

"Smart-ass!" She grumbled, "Where have you been? You have not called me in ages or write. When was the last time I even saw you?" she paused, "Two years ago?"

Awkwardly, he cleared his throat. "Technically, it's been three years. Nevertheless, right now that does not matter. I need to speak to you in person."

A quick and disturbing thought entered her mind. "Seiji, are you okay? Is something wrong?" she thought that perhaps Seiji was distressed with personal matters at home. She knew Seiji was busy with his family's dojo and balancing his social life. He had moved out from his family's home, into a new apartment but he had planned on moving back when he heard his grandfather fell ill. At least, that was what she assumed from his mother's call. Mrs. Date and Nasuti had a close relationship and would frequently go shopping together.

"Yaguy-san, it's not as bad as you think. I'm not disturbed, I just need some assistance with something." he soothed in a calm voice.

How did he know I thought he was disturbed? She wondered. "What do you need help with?"

"Well, I will tell you more about that when I see you. It's really nothing, just needing you to look up information, that's all." Seiji realized how hard it would be to tell her the whole story. He will just take his time; maybe she would not have to know about his entire situation.

"Oh, okay. Well, you can come by later tonight, at my house? Around eight or nine, sound good? "

"8:30 should be good for me. Thank you Nasuti-chan."

"Fantastic! I can make us some dinner. You liked my Udon soup, right?"

The thought of one of her home cook meals tore at his insides. He will never be able to eat food like that without having a knife rip thru his stomach. "No thank you, Nasuti. I just had a big meal not too long ago, but thank you for your kind offer."

Nasuti laughed, "That's okay, Seiji. I did not want to cook anyway. Shu kind of took it out of me."

"I'm amazed you ever want to cook," he smiled and thanked her once again, "I have to go now. I will see you tonight. Have a good day."

"Thank you, Seiji. I will see you soon. Sayonara!"


______


"What do you mean; you can't see me after class tonight?"

Raphael Frontvilliers stared at her, his brow furrowed, his eyes mirroring his confusion. He was a handsome young man, tall and lean, with inborn grace of a gentleman. His hair color was tawny blond, his eyes were the color of mint green and his lips were full and sensual. His distinctive accent was from France, where he was born and raised. He is one of Nasuti's partners in the study of Asian mythology. His family owns a museum that was dedicated to such studies in France. His relationship with Nasuti was one of friendship, though there were times when it hinted more. Raphael had hoped for a serious relationship and he knew Nastui was attracted to him but something always kept her back.

"I have an appointment," Nasuti replied.

"An appointment? With whom?"

"I do not believe this. It is like the twenty question show." An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. "An old friend and if you must know, I'm meeting Date Seiji. I told you about him and the guys who use to live with me."

Understanding replaced confusion in Raphael's eyes, but only for a moment as jealousy quickly took its place. "I would like to come with you," he insisted.

Nasuti was curious, seeing the change in his face. "Monsieur, don't be silly." Nasuti giggled as if sincerely amused.

Raphael laid his hand on her arm. "Mademoiselle, I insist." He forced a smile.

"Au revoir, Raphael."

He frowned, "Au revoir, Mademoiselle?"

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and hugged him before leaving. "Oui, au revoir, monsieur." She replied at the door.

"Tomorrow?" He pleaded.

"Maybe, Raphael. I don't know?" She flushed and then left.



______

Nasuti arrived two hours before Seiji's attendance was required. She bathed quickly, threw on a modest tanned top and slacks. She pulled her long nut-brown hair into a ponytail and slipped her slippers on. She filled a bowl with grapes and cheese, placed a bottle of red wine and two sterling goblets on the living room table.

She was animated by the time she heard his knock at the door. Putting on her best smile, she crossed the room and opened the door.

He stood in the shadows, his right eye covered by the familiar flock of honey blond hair. He was dressed in beige khakis with an open collared shirt and leather jacket.

"Seiji," she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "Long time no see mister."

"Come in." She bowed and closed the door behind him. "Let me take your jacket."

He handed her his jacket, took his shoes off, and slipped on the slippers Nasuti had politely set out for him. Looking at her again, he added a slight bow in greeting. "Thank you, Yaguy-san." She nodded as she placed his jacket in the closet.

"Would you like something to eat?" Nasuti asked him as he headed toward the main room and settled in one of the plush sofas. "Some merlot, maybe, it's imported from Transylvania, around the 1940's, a very good year for red wines if you must know."

"A glass of merlot would be fine,"

She walked across the room and picked up the wine bottle from the low marble table. She went into the kitchen to uncork it and returned to pour the merlot into the goblets. She took her seat beside Seiji and handed him his wine.

"So how's life been treating you?" she asked offhand.

"Life?" His voice was calm, his gaze steady. "Hell…"

"Seiji?" she asked softly, obviously concerned with his response.

He looked at her and could not help but let a small smile reach his lips. Waving off the concern he saw in her features, he continued to speak. "The reason I'm here Nasuti, is to ask you to look up some information. You still have your connections in France and Italy, right?"

She looked up, disoriented. "Of course. My grandfather had many friends in high places."

He nodded. "Good. I would like you to look up a couple of things."

She shrugged.

"Is it possible to look up a man by the name of Gabriel De`Mont? His name is French, but I believe he lived in Italy or some European country, during the 1600's? Though, I believe it is most likely that he would be listed around the 1400's."

"I-I can try Seiji." She bent forward to reach under the low table for her briefcase and pulled out a notebook to write down the information. "Who is he?"

His violet eyes darkened as he gazed at her. "No questions Nasuti. At least not now and no worries either."

She smiled and nodded cautiously. "Any thing else that I could assist with?"

"Yes. I would like to see some data about Vampires. Articles from about 300 yeas ago, written by common people who claimed to see these beast." He spat out on the last word.

"What an odd request, Seiji?" She laughed. "Planning to become a vampire or something? Some kind of cult, eh?"

His glare burned through her, reflecting bitterness. It sent her pulse spinning.

"Seiji, ar-are you in trouble?"

"No questions for now. It's nothing I want you to worry about."

"Maybe I should call the guys?"

"Touma's out of the Country, Ryo is somewhere with his father, Shu is spending time with his family's restaurant and Shin is teaching swimming up North." He stated plainly.

"Oh, well, Shin is the closest, I'm sure he won't mind coming down?"

"No, if I want him, I will call. But there is no need for him."

"Seiji you're worrying me."

He placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort. "I'm sorry. If I do, it is not on purpose."

Biting her lip, she said softly, "Seiji, I am not empathy like you but you seem to be acting odd. I know you were always distant, but something is bothering you, I think?"

He sighed, "Indeed,"

She looked up at him with an effort. "I know you won't tell me and that's okay. I respect that; just don't tell me any lies."

"I never planned to lie to you." He only hoped that was the truth.

"Ja, I'll go off and make a room for you."

Seiji tightened his hand on her shoulder in a possessive gesture. "That's okay. I plan to stay at a hotel."

"No way, you're staying right here mister, no, if ands or buts." She pushed herself into a standing position.

"If I stay, will you do as I ask without questions?"

"Um, okay?"

"Anything I say? Even if it makes no sense to you?"

A slight frown lined her brow. "I don't understand."

"It is quite simple. I'll stay, but only if you promise to do whatever I ask, without questions, no matter how odd it might seem at the time."

"I promise."

"Good." He yawned. "I think I would like to go to bed. I'll take my old room." She watched him as he rose to his feet.

"Good night, Seiji," The warmth of her smile echoed in her voice.

"Sweet dreams, cara mia."

"Cara mia?" her brows rose.

He paused, clearing his throat awkwardly, "It's Italian, I believe." He smiled again and turned around to continue walking up the stairs. "Good night."

"But ..." Nasuti bit off the word. She would do whatever he asked, without question, just as she had promised. However, not asking questions was far harder than she had anticipated.