Author's notes: wah. Tiring day. Oh well. Hrmmm… well, read so many good fanfics today! *grin grin* I was like… 0.o well, anyway…
Attention: Shiro is not Shirojo. He's my own character that happened to have the same name as him. (gah. Just like Fuuma :P) Well… actually I don't remember who Shirojo is… *forgot forgot* well… that's that. I guess if you like to imagine him as Shirojo, it's okay. *gah… I really forgot. Is he the guy with the long hair and weird coat?*
Hey, since I do believe it is quite annoying (for some of you) to say the thanks stuff at the first part of the fic, I'll just thank everyone at the bottom of the fiction so you have the option to read my ramblings. And so that it wouldn't bother you scrolling down just to read my fiction. *grin grin* ^_^
Well, here it is then!
Disclaimer: Blah. You all know anyway. :P
The Vampire Aoshi
By Tesuka- chan
Flashes of white. Pain. Movement. Voices.
It seemed like it would never end.
Misao ached all over, trying to remember what had happened. She tried to open her eyes… green… eyes. She closed them again, a certain kind of weakness taking over her exhausted body. I want… to rest.
She opened her eyes, blinking at the sudden yellow light enveloping all around her. Stone. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion… Stone? She then suddenly sat upright, the images getting clear. Whoa. Where am I?
She was in a dark, stone chamber, with little slits on the walls that serve as windows. Pale gray light penetrated though them, giving off an eerie atmosphere. Cold and unwelcome. Candles were everywhere. A blood red rug covered the floor, intricate black details weaving in and out. Black furniture, made from some unknown material, was artfully arranged around the room. The four-poster bed that she was sitting on was also made of the same smooth material, so lustrous that she could see her reflection on the polished surface. The sheets, in contrast, were white and clean, but it had a certain musty smell to it.
Misao felt something rise inside her. Something that spread quickly throughout her body, not leaving any part out. Her dark blue eyes widened, a trembling hand covered her mouth. Her other hand clenched to a fist. She can't… suppress it… anymore…
"OH MY GOLLYGOSH! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!"
She jumped up, feet on the carpet, ignoring the groan of her body. She ran around the room, opening things here and there, tinkering, observing, discovering. Her eyes were alight with excitement and wonder at the beautiful and mysterious things all around her. A silver hairbrush! I thought these only exist in fairytales! And a music box! She opened it and a sorrowful tone drifted out of the box. Beautiful.
She left it open and began dancing to the tune, twirling around the room, flowing hands waving gracefully. She began humming to it and closed her eyes, letting the sudden surge of emotion drown her soul. She never heard the silent doors open and close behind her. She whirled around a bit more, then stopped at one end of the room, eyes still closed. When the song ended, she sighed and opened her eyes. Crystal blue met misty green.
"AHHHHHH GAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
She quickly ran backwards, heart stuck on her throat. "Don't do that! I was scared stiff!"
"You shouldn't be up." Green eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement flickered and gone. A stoic expression replaced it.
"Well…" the now calmed girl scratched the top of her head, thinking. Then she remembered. The fall. Oh yeah. Well. "I'm feeling better already. Hey. Where are we?"
"My place."
"THIS is YOUR place?"
Shrug.
"YOU live here?"
Silence.
"YOU clean this huge place up by yourself?!!"
His eyes narrowed. "Obviously not."
Her eyes got even rounder. "YOU have MAIDS?"
"Well, more of slaves actually."
Confusion. "Slaves? But enslavement doesn't exist in Japan anymore."
"We're not in Japan."
"WHAT??!!!"
The vampire sighed, moving towards her. "Look, rest for a moment. It's obviously too much for you to take in. I'll explain later." He lifted his hand, as if to brush her hair away from her face, but thought better of it. "Kaoru will be here any moment." At that, he turned and walked through the door, closing it behind him.
"But wait! Hey! I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET!"
A pillow flew across the room, landing heavily against the wall.
Grrrr… I am perfectly fine! I cannot see why he couldn't explain it to me now! Now is as good as any time! Grrrr… Steam began spouting out of her ears. Why am I here anyway? And why am I dressed in this… ROBE?!! She suddenly blushed as she remembered the way she faced him, unknowingly dressed in a silky white robe, loosely fitted, revealing a bit of cleavage and skin. It was really soft and comfortable. Maybe that's why I didn't realize it at first. Then her eyes widened yet again as she realized something. Maybe that's why he was looking real funny at me… HENTAIII!!! She angrily tightened the robe and stiffly strode towards a trunk, thinking that since there are no closets around, the clothes might be kept there.
She struggled with the lid a bit, heavy as it is. Finally managing to lift it up and lean it on the wall, she surveyed the clothes inside. This is quite… odd. She lifted a green dress, shook it out and coughed. Gahhh… dust! "Achoo!"
As she rubbed her red nose, she examined the old dress through watery eyes. It was frilly, lace all around, most of it made from heavy green velvet. It has an underskirt of light green silk, and it flows down, like water. This should be put in a museum. This is priceless… she put it down, rummaging inside the trunk. Hrmmm… let's see what we have here… nope… nah… yech… double ich… gah! Dead mummified cockroach!… geesh… aha! AHA! AHAAAA!!! AAAAHHH…. "ACHOOOOO!"
She doubled over, eyes already red and puffy from her allergic reaction to dust. Awww geeshhh… great.
"Misao! You okay?" Kaoru had entered the room, and seeing chaos all over, had imagined the worst. "You're still sick! You shouldn't be up yet!" She bullied the poor girl into surfacing from the sea of endless silks, velvet, wool, and cloth.
"Ugh." Misao wiped the snot dripping from her nose. "Allergic… reaction… ACHOO!!" The bed shook. She sniffed.
"C'mon, you need some tea… this place is really old fashioned and they put something in this that will make you feel batter. Try it, it's not that bad." She grinned, trying to put a sincere expression on her face.
Suspicious, Misao glanced at the cup. Looks normal, brown and with tiny leaves floating around. She shrugged, her watery eyes not noticing the barely controlled face of Kaoru. She sipped. Well… I didn't shrivel up and die. I suppose it's okay. She took a huge gulp.
*SPURT!*
"Yuck! What the hell is in this?" Misao's faced formed into many different expressions as she contemplated on its taste. It tastes like… coppery or something… yuck! Bleh bleh…
Kaoru was laughing, falling soundly on the floor, but still chuckling and giggling so hard that tears came out of her eyes. "Yeah… I- it really sucks… haha!.. Well… that's what they serve he- here… you have to drink it all… they'll inspect it…" She wiped the tears off her eyes, hiccuping and face red.
"No way."
"Oh c'mon, you have to. I did anyway."
"Not in this lifetime."
"Come on, open wide…"
The stubborn girl shook her head vehemently, acting like one of her kindergarten students.
"Just drink it, will you?!" Kaoru stated loudly, getting irritated at the game.
"Why do I have to drink it?"
"The vampire guy will explain everything later. Drink up."
"Right." Misao grumbled, "Well, I guess it's better than YOUR tea."
"What? Did I hear anything?" A vein throbbed on Kaoru's forehead.
"Ahhhh… nothing, nothing." Misao secretly grinned, and drank the revolting mixture with one gulp. Yuck! Gross… She shuddered.
"Ah well… now that's done with…" Kaoru flopped on the bed beside the still spluttering Misao. " Don't you think this place is cool?"
"Yeah… it's really grandiose and a bit… eerie… my type of place!" Misao exclaimed cheerily, bouncing on the bed. "It's like we're in a castle of some sort."
"We are. And it's some unique one too… everything's made of stone. And the castle's BLACK. I've never seen anything like it."
Misao pondered over something that Aoshi had said earlier. "And this place belongs to Aoshi- sama?"
"Well, not directly. I think he has a high position in this place… that's why he's able to smuggle us in here." Kaoru said seriously, looking around as if someone was listening. "Well, as I said, he'll explain later. Have you picked out anything to put on yet?" She grinned and stood up, turning around for friend to inspect her clothes. "It's old, but really pretty. I liked it the moment I set my eyes on it."
The blue dress was made of silk, flowing around Kaoru's figure. It has a low neckline, but a white simple lace hid the more revealing part of it. The sleeves were cut simply, tight around the arms up to the elbows, but suddenly flaring out up to the wrists. It has a simple silver belt, hanging around her hips, twisted like a rope. The sweeping skirt reached down to her ankles, and revealed satin slippers that matched the dress.
"Wow, Kaoru, it really looks good on you!" Misao expressed loudly, her eyes sparkling with interest and appreciation. "Well of course, I'm talking about the dress… not you!"
"Baka! Hmph! You're just jealous… I'll pick something up for you then." She stomped off towards the trunk and the littered clothes. "How about this yellow one?"
"Toooo lacy."
"Errrmmm… the pink?" she held up a heavily embroidered dress.
Misao yawned.
"Well, if you're not going to cooperate, Misao, might as well walk out there naked!" Kaoru gave up, throwing a something that's dark green over to Misao.
"Alright, alright…" She inspected the cotton fabric that was thrown at her. Hmmm… nice shade of dark green… looks comfortable enough. "I'll try this on." Damned bossy woman. She huffed into the bathroom.
"Misao-sensei! You look pertiieee!" Fuuma exclaimed, clapping his hands together, eyes sparkling. "You should wear that the rest of your life!" He grinned sheepishly at his teacher, then went back to playing at a corner with a small guillotine play set complete with dolls with heads that can be popped out.
"Why thank you, Fuuma. But I can't very well wear this for the rest of my life, ne? I'll stink a whole lot! Besides, this dress is older than me!" She straightened out the green skirt and glanced shyly at Aoshi.
It was a pretty little masterpiece actually. It was a lightly embroidered dark green tunic over a light green shift with the sleeves slashed, showing the soft cloth underneath. It has a thick belt wrapped around her tiny waist, the excess dangling at her side. The tunic fell short just below her knees but the shift was longer, reaching down to her calves. Green, sturdy sandals adorn her dainty little feet, straps crisscrossed around her ankles. She looked like a wood nymph, lost in a gray castle.
"It really is nice Misao!" Kaoru grinned mischievously at her, "but of course, I'm talking about the dress, not the wearer!"
The woman in green stuck out her tongue to Kaoru. "Mou! Well, a point for you then. So…" she continued after taking a seat in one of the lush chairs in the library. "first of all, where exactly are we?" She looked directly at Aoshi.
The vampire had been appraising Misao, appreciating the curves and the way the dress fits her like it was made for her. She looks like she belongs here. He shook his head, the question penetrating his skull. "We are in Nifleheim… the land of the dead."
Gah. What a kind of crap is this? Misao rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll play with you. So why are we here again?"
He narrowed his eyes then regained his stoic expression. "It did not seem safe for you to stay there… even in the safe house. I believe that the 'serial killer' had targeted you as his next victim." This is a curious situation. There must be something here… something about her. His thoughts whirled into many different possibilities. This is too much of a coincidence. He might have found out about them knowing about creatures like us.
ME?! Misao's face showed obvious surprise. Why me? I'm no one special! There are so many girls out there that are so much prettier (but maybe not cuter) than me! "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I don't really know much about it myself but we're trying to find out about it."
"Okay then… Let's ditch that topic. So… How did I get here? Last thing I remember, I fell on something… or someone."
Aoshi looked away, his face reddening.
Kaoru giggled, and said, "Well, apparently, Aoshi saved your life. He was coming up the hill when he saw you with a stranger at the balcony. He was already near when you fell and he caught you. Good thing he was there or you could've been injured seriously or even die." She sighed.
"Oh. Well…" Misao bowed her head. "Thank you…" She said almost shyly.
Aoshi reddened even more as he recalled the way he was feeling when he saw her on the balcony with a guy. Well, so I was feeling a bit jealous. Who wouldn't when one decides on a prospect and finds that another vampire already caught her? He composed himself, his shade turning back to his old pale self. That wouldn't happen now, would it? This event makes things more complicated. I have to stay away for a few days. Investigating on this. He clears his throat. "Have you told her already about the drink, Miss Kaoru?"
"Uhhh… no. I thought you'd tell her."
"Tell me what?"
"That only vampires are allowed inside the castle. Except for the slaves of course."
"You made me into a vampire?!!!"
"In a way, yes."
"WHAT?!" This is too much for me… I think I'm going to puke.
"Well, not literally. I told the king that you were vampires. That's why you had to drink that. It was a welcoming drink and a test, in a sense, to see if you could take tea laced with human blood. I said you didn't heal because you haven't feed for a few days."
Misao's face turned green. I am so going to barf…
"Don't worry, a vampire feeds privately, so you don't have to worry about you having to feed with the rest of us. It might be too messy… with the blood and all. Oh, and the screams… tsk tsk. It's not a pretty picture."
Her cheeks puffed out, eyes bulging. Right about… NOW!
Misao fled from the room, going to a bathroom to relieve her suffering. Damn him to hell… she heaved up the last of it, wiped her mouth, washed her hands, and trudged back to the room. She glared at him through slitted eyes, daring him to go on. Bastard.
Aoshi had an 'innocent' look on his face, not giving anything away. Kaoru looked concerned and gave her a cup of water. The boy didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. As far as he could tell, Misao-sensei running back and forth through the door is already normal for him.
"YOU know Kaoru, I'm not really good with blood." Misao glared, sending white, hot sparks at a certain vampire present in the room.
"Well ah – "
"Aoshi, my man… I didn't know you're already here! You should've told me!" A tall man with spiky hair burst through the door, smirking and shouting. He stopped, seeing the two women in the room and the young boy. "Am I interrupting something? You seem to be busy nowadays heh… *nudge nudge* two women at a time!" He laughed, making the two mentioned direct their anger at him.
"Why you…"
"The nerve…!"
Both started moving towards the confused newcomer, vicious and ready to throttle. Aoshi stood up, thinking something about rash and fickle women not changing a bit… I've got to stop this… damned Sano. He moved towards them, intending to stop them before anything happens when…
"OHOHOHO!!! Tanuki! Weasel- girl! What are you doing here?! OHOHOHO!"
All stopped in their tracks, and stared at the long- haired beauty.
"Megumi!"
"How did you…?"
"Megumi!!"
"How come you're…?"
"OHOHOHO! Slow down… I'm only one here you know…" She grinned, her face seems to glow more and her skin looked paler. But her features were more defined and she looked even more beautiful since Misao had seen her last. Wow… she's really changed. Ahhh.. wait a second, isn't that guy the one we met in the bar? Oh no… they're everywhere!
The 'spikey' haired guy grinned at her. "You bet."
Hmph. What an egotistical maniac. Misao smirked as the rooster head grinned even more.
Megumi was still laughing, fox ears seemed to be popping out of her head. "Ohohoho… I am here with Sano. He just wanted to take me to the place where he grew up."
"So you mean you're together?" Kaoru asked, astonishment in her voice.
"Yes… in a way. We're still trying it out. But there are times when I could just throttle him… and his rooster head… I kept asking him to cut it off but he wouldn't listen." Megumi's eyes glistened, mischievous and daring.
"Hey fox, you're not so perfect yourself."
"Oh? Well I am certainly better than most of the girls you dated."
"Actually, there's this really cute girl I dated just last month…"
Sparks flew.
Misao sighed, the happiness and contentment seeping into her system. I could get used to this. I've always wondered how to live during those old Medieval times. This place is perfect. She grinned. Yep. More adventures for me! She looked at Aoshi and caught him staring at her. She blushed and looked away, studying the two bickering lovers. Yes, I could get used to this very much.
Silver emerald eyes glinted by the shadows. Yes, only a bit more Misao. He grinned evilly, the whiteness of his teeth showing in the dark. A bit more time and I could have everything I want… the throne, the power, and you. He retreated.
"So what do you have for me?" Pale purple eyes dangerously glinted to yellow as the red haired agent slammed the quivering thin man on the wall. "Talk."
"I- I don't kno- know anything! Nothing, I tell ya!" the pitiful form whimpered and squirmed, but the grip on his throat was not eased a bit. Instead, it became tighter, almost choking the breath out of him.
Battousai swiftly procured a wooden sword and placed its tip at the man's throat.
"All right! I'll talk! I'll talk!" The man squealed. "He's a crazy, that Shiro is… he already killed humans and vampires alike… he's crazy, man…"
"What do you know about his power?"
"He's really strong, stronger than anyone I've ever seen. Th- they say he's the new type of vampire… more powerful… something to do with evolution or stuff like that… a freak of nature." The grip relaxed, allowing him to breathe, but the wooden tip's still there. He gulped, thankful for the air and his life. He would never engage in these kinds of affairs anymore… ever.
"All right." The redhead tossed a bag of golden coins at the heaving low life vampire. "Here. I'll come back for more information."
The man then greedily opened the bag and reveled in all the gold, already forgetting the hardship that he had gone through earlier. "Sure, man. Anytime." Then he melted away to the shadows, thinking of the different ways he would spend his precious catch.
Purple eyes narrowed, thinking. This is a serious situation. He's not just any other vagabond, something might be up his sleeves. He turned, walking away to report to the head.
A/n: long… *weary eyes* drat it all. It's ten pages! Whoooo!!! *grin grin* well, though this is sort of a weird chapter.. (sorry!) well, I'm too stressed out lately (more than the usual dose) and I'm really sorry for updating this just now. :P
Ahh well, just want to say thanks to all! Especially to the following people: *beaming smile*
DarkFairy: Hehe… gomen for the late update! Hope you liked this one… it's longer. Hehehe.
Crystal: well, I guess it's not for the rest of my life. I'm more than half- way already. :P
Zackire: Glad to have piqued your interest! Hope you keep reading! J
Me me me and only me: well, I like creepy!
Mai: Gomen! Well, this is the longest chapter I've written.. though I do believe it's not really as interesting as the others are… :P
YueMichiruNaragisawaMiko: *phew* what a long name! Well, I'm working on it! Thanks for the review!
Nekonomiko: ehehehe… you're a vamp now eh? Careful, Kenshin might hunt you! *nyehehe*
Luli451: Thanks for reading my fic! This one's longer. (a bot too long I guess). Hope you like it! :P
Lebleuphenix: thanks a lot! Well, the plot is getting thicker. You know what they say… blood is thicker than water. (wahahaha! What's the connection? Wahaha! :P)
Amphibious cloud: wehehehe… well.. I think I have a twisted mind.
Kats: gomen for the lack of Kenshin parts. As I said before, I'm not really concentrating on him. And he's sort of in between Battousai and Kenshin.. (schizo? Nah… maybe.)
Phoe2K: waaahhh! Sino 'to???? *think think* daya… I forgot! Well, thanks for reviewing! Ahehehe… kaw talaga.. :P
Selph: Well, thanks! I'm really glad you liked it! :P
Neko- chan: sorry!!! *goes down on knees and apologizes* I seem to have cliffhangeritis… a sickness that makes me want to write cliffhangers.. ahehehe..
Yuko Hoon: Ummm… that's just the way my mind works, I guess. Ehehehe. Well.. I'll see if I could fit the rest in. Thanks for the suggestion! J
Phew… what a day! well, thank you all! I hope you read and review! ^_^