BLOOD MOON RISING

III

I'm sick of sight without sense of feeling

He was waiting outside for her at the University the following night. Clad in evening clothes with a silk black tie and dining jacket, he was quite the handsomest and best dressed man she knew outside of Sendai, Nasuti observed. Though he matured quickly for a man he never did shed that pretty-boy image and she knew he wasn't very proud of that trait. There had to be something wrong with a man looking better then most females, it was a crime in her opinion. She smiled amusingly as she ran toward him. "I think you were named wrong. Instead of being dubbed as the samurai of Courtesy, it should have been the Trooper of Fashion. You are giving us woman a bad name." she pointed an accusing finger at him; "We're supposed to be the ones who know how to dress to kill."

Seiji tried to hide his blushing face by dipping his head down and became quite interested in the concrete pavement. "Sometimes I think you spend too much time with my family, you're beginning to sound like Yayoi. And," he replied dryly, "that isn't a complement."

"Well, it takes a genius to know a genius. Your sister has quite the collection of black mail on you. I especially enjoyed the picture of you when you were ten years old and had pretty pink ribbons tied in your hair." She bent down so she could look at Seiji who still had his head bowed in embarrassment. "You were so 'cute'!"

He raised his head, scowling at the jest, "Well, I'm glad to see your fashion sense changed since the Dynasty, because there was no way you were going to kill anyone in those clothes."

She shot him a twisted smile and threw her nose up in the air. "Below the belly, way below."

Seiji did not reply but his amused smile was enough to know he was satisfied.

Nasuti's dress sense had changed a great deal, from when she was younger. Why people held teenagers accountable for their dress sense at that tender age was beyond her. It was merely bad choices and the 80's were notorious for unusual styles. At least Nasuti did not dress up as Madonna. Although, she imagined she might have received more attention if she did.

Looking down at herself, she gleamed approvingly. She was in a two-piece suite that consisted of a yellow knee high skirt with a slit on the side, an open silk blouse that showed off her delicate pearl necklace and a matching short yellow coat that complimented the skirt. A mocha leather briefcase hung from her right shoulder, adding poise to her character. She looked as if she was a high-paid executive from up town. She winkled her nose as she saw what she was wearing for footwear. She'll admit it; the white sneakers destroyed the dignified image. However, people could not possibly expect her to stand on her feet all day in four-inch heels; it would make it impossible to walk home if she did.

Seiji started walking down the street, with Nasuti following behind. They crossed the street and he pointed to a restaurant located on the corner. "In here," he said, and guided her into a small French styled café that was dark and cozy. Many tourists were inside so he asked for a table near the rear, away from the crowd, and smoothly steered their conversation on the data she collected from his request.

"Seiji, I hope you know it was a hassle getting all this information. You know, I had classes today, right? But, 'no', I had to tell them I couldn't because I was on a special research project." Her eyes rolled as she finished the last sentence.

"I am grateful, Yaguy-san." There was a trace of amusement in his voice. He waved his hand toward her direction, meaning for her to continue.

She cleared her throat. "All right, as I was going to say, Gabriel De'Mont was not easy to find, there are many Gabriel De'Mont's in France and Italy. Luckily, there were only few of them during the 1400's and 1600's. I figured the man you're looking for was very important?"

He nodded.

"Well, my grandfather's friend, in Italy, told me that there was an important crest of a family who went by name of the De'Mont's. One of the heir's was a man named Gabriel, who was a Viscount of Slovenia Italy during 1412. That was the only man with a title that was listed during the 1400's as you also suggested. His parents were believed to be French but no one actually saw them. I can't tell you if he really was French, what information I have gathered seemed to point that he wasn't French or Italian. You told me that you were not sure what lineage he was from; I presumed he came from the early Norman's or Viking Scots. It was common for families to change their names after centuries have passed. The De'Mont could possibly be the Mont clan, which is a strong ancient crest. Gabriel sounded like the one you were talking about, so I gathered all the information I could. Want to hear it?" Her eyebrows rose upward in excitement.

"Please, if you may Yaguy-san."

"Always polite," she sighed. "Before I continue I'm ordering something to eat."

Nasuti put her order in, but Seiji only asked for a glass of dry red wine.

"Don't you ever eat?" she asked.

"I dined earlier."

Nasuti studied him for a moment and then shrugged. "Lord De'Mont was well respected and very fond by the ladies, if you get my meaning. He traveled a lot and did the typical things expected of young Viscounts. Acting like scoundrels and gambling their heritage on women. When he was around his late twenties, he mysteriously disappeared. Of course, I thought it ended there, but I was wrong. Oddly, nothing was heard of him until one hundred years later. People could not live that long Seiji. The filth, conditions and lack of medical knowledge back then made it impossible. I would assume during the 1400's your life expectancy was maxed to at least your early fifties. The epidemic had spread like wild fire at that time, so if you managed to escape it you were one of the privileged. As much traveling as he had done who would have expected him not to catch anything. He lived in a small village that had been under the plague and survived the quarantine, unfortunately, many people weren't so fortunate. It had taken two years before anyone thought it was safe to rebuild his or her life again. Nevertheless, the documents claim that it was he; records even claimed he did not age. How and why, I'm not going to go into that Seiji." She took a deep breath and raised her head to her companion.

"Seiji, you're not going to believe this, but I think the records were accurate. All the information gathered about Lord De`Mont points to this man as the original Viscount. Then I came upon some other details that disturbed me. Seiji, did you not ask me to look up vampires?" Nasuti's eyes blinked several times as she waited for his reply.

"Yes, I did." he stated calmly.

She accepted his answer with a quick nod. "Well, one article about the Viscount was issued by a local from the village. This man claimed that he saw Gabriel ... that h-he saw him murder a woman prostitute and than drank her blood, actually suck it out. And I thought Jack the Ripper was messed up." She complained, "Nothing came from the claim because the man died a week later. Strangely, the autopsy recorded that the old man contained no bodily fluids and no embalming was needed for he was dry as a bone. The report stated as well, that the old man had two identical puncture wounds on one side of his neck. No one gave it a second thought. They wrote it up as a robbery. I ask myself this … why someone would rob a poor old man who clearly had no money is ludicrous." She jumped when Seiji started to tap the table. His sudden movement was out of nervousness and this struck her oddly. Seiji was never one to grow nervous unless something was affecting him mentally. She ignored it for the time being and went on, "Around 1612 he met an unknown woman who was believed to be from a different country, and it was well known for the young woman was his lover. Unlike the rest she actually lived with him and went anywhere he did. It shocked many for the Viscount was aloof for many years and in a few days he brought home a companion."

"Jacqueline," Seiji whispered huskily.

Nasuti looked up disoriented.

"It's no one, continue."

"To tell the truth nothing happened, until two years later. Gabriel disappeared, again, nothing new I thought, except for one thing." Nasuti squared off her shoulders. "When the local police went to investigate his loft where he was staying at the time, th-they claimed that the room was covered in blood, all over, walls, carpet, ceilings, everywhere! The worst part of it was that there was a dead woman in his loft. Not the same woman who was known as his lover but a different one. The report concluded that the dead woman was a prostitute. The woman, who was found dead, was indeed murdered, her blood was everywhere, but the report claimed that it was not all hers. It could not be and they had some good reasons why. A medical physician, a well-respected one might I add wrote the report and stated that there was too much blood for one person. In truth, it said there was enough for two bodies. After that, Gabriel never returned and his lover received everything of his procession." Nasuti saw Seiji clench his right fist as he dragged it across the table to lie on his lap.

"Seems like Jacqueline was quite busy in her days." His coldness sent shivers up Nasuti's spine.

"Seiji, who is Jacqueline?"

"No questions, remember?"

She nodded. "Seiji that's not what bothered me. All that information on Gabriel, well, I read articles like that all the time, its part of my profession. It was what my grandfather's friend sent me through the fax that had me worried."

His eyebrows rose, interested in what Nasuti meant.

She reached into her leather briefcase and pulled out a pile of papers. She sorted through them, pulled out one in a paper folder, and handed it to him. Bending her head, she studied her hands nervously. "Um, in there is a picture that he faxed me, a portrait that was painted of Gabriel."

Opening the folder a chill ran up his spine.

 "Seiji, Gabriel looks just like you! Christ, he could even be your twin." When Nasuti had first saw the portrait she didn't know what to think; a spooky coincidence or her imagination was playing tricks on her. It would not be the first time someone found another person in the past that resembled him or her but Gabriel De'Mont did not only resemble Seiji, he looked like him. The hair, eyes, lips, face structure was the same as Seiji's. This was too unusual to be a fluke.

 So that's why Jacqueline called me Gabriel, she thinks that I'm him. He thought as he examined the paper more closely.

Nasuti gave him a black-layered look when she saw his dazed expression. "Seiji," she waved her hand in front of him, "earth to Seiji! Hello, anyone in there?" He immediately looked up. "Aren't you going to tell me anything," she demanded as she leaned back to her steat. "Like what is going on and why you are so interested in this man?"

A shadow of annoyance crossed his face. "No."

"What?" she said, surprised again by this unpredictable man.

"You heard me. Nasuti, you promised no questions and that's exactly what I want from you." He reminded her softly. Startled by his response she did not attempt to offer any protest. Instead of throwing a fit as if he thought she would, she shoved; more like threw the file of papers at him.

"There's all the other data I looked up for you. The so called vampires, no questions asked, more information on Gabriel's village, no questions asked, you stupid un- forgiving son of a-" she muttered under her breath, the rest of the words were said too quickly for him to make them out.

"I'm sorry," he finally said, realizing he should not have been so discourteous. She was only trying to be useful. "I didn't mean to sound rude. You have to understand Nasuti, there are some things I cannot say and it's not because I don't want your help. I'm confused."

She narrowed her eyes and then smiled apologetically. "Yes, I can try to understand. At least you are not lying to me, you just aren't telling." Letting out an irritated breath she added, "Nevertheless, I will not take back what I said about you, you arrogant, not telling Kapa-"

He cut her off. "Your food is here."

She choked down her temper.

_____

Nasuti finished eating and they were discussing about the old times her and the guys shared. You would not have guessed that a moment ago she thought about dumping her drink on his lap, all of it, even the drinks of the people sitting next to them. Her smile broadened in approval at their discussion. The subject at hand was about the day Touma almost burnt down the house with his cooking.

Then Raphael appeared at the table.

Nasuti looked up and stuttered, "Ra – Ralp - Raphael, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to meet your mysterious friend from two years ago.

Seiji coughed, "Three."

"Oh," She glanced at Seiji. "Raphael, this is Date Seiji of the Date family. His family is well known for their art in kendo, the best dojo in all of Japan, well respected," She smiled proudly, and then turned it away when she saw the glares the men were giving each other. She stomped on Seiji's foot. "Seiji, this is Raphael Frontvilliers. His family owns a museum in France dedicated to Asian Art and studies, he's also one of my partners at the University."

"Will you join us?" Seiji asked.

Nasuti paled, Oh God no! Seiji, you dolt! You do not know what you are doing!

"I'm sure Raphael can't, he has some classes to teach latter." She looked at Raphael mouthing the words, 'go away!'

"Not at all," Raphael replied and slid into the booth beside Nasuti.

Nasuti scrunched her nose. I am doomed! The two most sarcastic people I know at the same table with me! A thunderbolt hitting me in the rear could not be scarier!

Nasuti immediately ordered a glass of wine for herself. There was a moment of awkward silence as Seiji stared at the older man. Uncomfortable under Seiji's gaze, Raphael quickly drained Nasuti's glass, which achieved him an angry frown from her. As their waiter passed by again she asked for another glass, insisting that he bring the bottle as well.

"So, Frontvillers-san, how do you like Japan?" Seiji inquired politely.

"I like it very much," his gaze rested on Nasuti while he answered.

"You don't look Japanese, Mr. Date." Lightly he fingered a loose strand of hair from his cheek. "Are you of mix-blood? I thought, being from the respected family Nasuti has informed me of, well I guessed that mix-blood would not me welcome."

Seiji let his gaze move over to Nasuti that interpreted annoyance. Where did you find this rake?

Sinking into her seat, she gulped. Gods, Ralph, you're so French!! I hope Seiji doesn't take him seriously… Ralph is just being French, that's all.

Raphael glared at Seiji, finding his aloof act disturbing. "You ever been to France, Monsieur? I assume being Nasuti's friend, you are aware of her better heritage? I always found it is wise and polite to know your friends and enemies background." he question was voiced with harshness.

"Malheureusement I jamais le haricot a` fracais, Monsieur." Seiji translated smoothly. "If I'm correct, I believe I said; 'unfortunately I never been to France, sir.' Yes," he nodded, "that is it." He smirked causally before continuing, "Nasuti use to cuss at us in French when my friends and I use to live with her, you always picked up a word or two. As far as knowing her background, I was one who always thought it was rude to pride into ones past without asking the other party. In addition, I'm not of mix-blood, though I see no point into why you would inquire. My family, though traditional, are not racists."

Raphael nodded his head at him, ignoring the rude remark he had stated earlier. He was more shocked that a man who spoke flawless Japanese could speak French just as good as any commoner. This struck him dumbly; you barley noticed Seiji's Japanese accent. Raphael could only assume he was a gifted child, one with immense intelligence and could speak many dialects effortlessly. He grew very jealous of this. Nasuti on the other hand, thought Seiji was rubbing it in, smearing was more appropriate.


Looking at her watch Nasuti immediately rose to her feet. "Oh- dear, look at the time!" Seiji looked at her suspiciously. Her response was a little, how would you say, 'fake-sounding'. "I'm a little tired." She answered nervously, "You two stay and chat, afraid I would only bore you two," She hoped the men bought her excuse. In her opinion, it was better than saying she had a headache, at least she thought it was. "I'm going home. Have a lot of work to catch up, you know?" Smiling she climbed over Raphael.

Raphael sprang to his feet and allowed her to slip out of the booth. "I'll see you home."

"I brought Nasuti here," Seiji said, rising as well, "and I will see her safely to her door."

He held out his hand and Nasuti took it roughly, on purpose. "See you soon Raphael and take care," she said and bowed.

"Nasuti ..."

Seiji fixed Raphael with a hard stare. "Good night, Raphael."

He took a steep backward, repelled by Seiji's coldness and the look in the man's eyes, by the sudden, unexpected sense of evil. With a last glance at Nasuti, he left the restaurant.

______

She grimaced regretfully at Seiji as they drove home. "I'm sorry he made a scene." She said apologetically. Assuming her request for forgiveness was just as good as if it came from Raphael's own mouth. "You should have seen him when he met Ryo." She giggled at the memory, "My God, he even glared at poor Jun. I swear, the man enjoys glaring, it's some sort of control fetish for him I guess. Don't think those two were the only ones to suffer from it, I myself was glared at when we first met but that was to be expected considering the events that lead him to my department."

"He's smitten with you," Seiji acknowledged as though it was obvious to everyone except her. "Anyone can see that."

Nasuti flushed. "Well, your perception on attraction seems to be little off, Date-san. He is not smitten; he is just protective and visa versa. After all, I am the only other female who can speak flawless French. It does not help me that my grandfather was well known in France, at least that was my mothers doing, his son just married into the family. I think from the start he was memorized to see Miana Giscard's daughter?" Smiling she added, "To be honest, I really don't mind, he treats me nicely. And I might have led him on a few times… this professor," she pointed to herself proudly, "knows the trade of flirtation! Beware handsome men, for the Great Yaguy is a bachelorlet!"

He eyed her for a second time during the drive home and then looked back to the road, "The wine has gone to your head. What was it, three glasses and you're already ditzy."

"Two or five, I lost count when Raphael started to boil water and you began frying eggs on top your head. And may I remind you, l at least make an attempt to talk to my crushes and don't allow them to runaway brokenhearted." She mocked.

"Now you're picking on me?" he groaned, "I happen to believe by talking to a woman who is interested in you, encourages their flirty behavior. I merely let them know ahead of time what I think before they start drawing the wrong conclusions."

She wiggled her finger at him. "Excuses Date-san, excuses, excuses! Admit it; you have a hard time chatting up girls." She paused her teasing as another thought popped in her head, "Seiji, tell me, but is it just me or does Raphael seem-"

He finished her sentence, "Snob, self-absorbed, selfish, a pretty boy, high and mighty? Nope, it's not only you."

"Gee, I wonder if I could name someone else that fits the profile you supplied?" she said while she stared at him with an accusing eye."

"I'm not self-absorbed and it's not my fault that others think I seem too pretty for a man."

"Anyway," she huffed and folded her arms, "I never said Ralph was a snob or any of that other junk you said."

"No, but you thought it," He smiled smugly, "Thinking and saying are not the complete opposite as one may assume."

"Okay," she challenged, "Mr. Mind Reader, what am I thinking now?"

"Weather or not anyone would miss me if you were to lock me in your basement for eternity."

_____



After twenty minutes of driving in silence, they finally reached home. Exiting from the car, they headed towards the door. Nasuti managed to get the key in the door but could not turn the stubborn knob. She said a few curse words in French before Seiji came behind and effortlessly opened the door with a simple turn of the knob. She glared at him and mumbled something about him being'Mr. Know It all".

She threw her keys on a table, but her aim was off so they landed in the flower vase instead. "I'm too exhausted to even care." She mused, ignoring the keys by passing them. "He-he, I could sleep like the dead, that is if the dead sleep as I do." she proclaimed sleepily.

Entering the hallway he frowned at her comment.

Nasuti turned around when her companion failed to reply. "Seiji are you alright?" she inquired while studding his face. She started to notice his hair glowed in the moonlight, which shown through the window above and not only that but something else caught her eye. It had to be a trick of light or her imagination that caused his eyes to glow with a spooky gold flame. No freakin way, what the hell is wrong with his eyes! Seiji does not have gold eyes… does he? Ummm, maybe I've inhaled too much smoke from the restaurant or perhaps the wine was a little too strong for me… I hope.

Seiji saw the shock rise in her eyes, and knew that his own eyes were glowing from an abnormal hunger. "Nasuti ..." he whispered uneasily. "I..I..ah-"

She dipped her head and waved him off. "I really need to sleep, goodnight Seiji."

He nodded, trying to control his hunger. It took every ounce of his considerable self-control to keep from burying his fangs in her neck. It was driving him wild for as the seconds went by, his control weakened and he felt as if another being was revealing its ugly head. "I need to run an errand, I'll be back shortly." He called from the front door and left before Nasuti could respond.

Confused, she wandered restlessly up the stairs toward her room. Remember, no questions. Nota, NO questions, no matter how odd, no questions! Nasuti continued to repeat this in her head until she finally fell asleep. Never sensing another presence was below her balcony or noticing how the night had mysteriously fallen into a dead silence.

"Seiji, cara mia, the night calls for you." Jacqueline said in her silky voice. She hid herself in the shadows of the night, embraced by eternal darkness.

Authors Notes: *giggles like a mad woman* Be afraid, very afraid. AHHHH! I think I like this fic too much. My parents found me trying on some fake vampire fangs the other day; don't think they took it well? *G* Okay, to the point. I hope my story makes sense. LOL So fare we figured out that Seiji is a vampire. I prefer to call them NightWalkers instead. PLEASE R/R! I only write fiction so people can tell me how GREAT I am! *joke*

-I do not own YST. YST and R/W belong to Sunrise Animation, Nagoya TV, Sony Music Entertament and CBS.- But you can pretend I own them, that's always fun.