A Sequel to ReCreating Hell
Chapter Three: Just A Normal Night
By PasifikStar
Author's Note: Sorry it took so long. I've been caught up in other things! Anyway, this is more a filler chapter. (Sorry). I'll try to write more in December when I'm on my break! Below are three characters, Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal who are characters from X-2.
* All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.The sound of the Ragnarok flying over Centra sounded through the main cabin as Hunter looked out the window tiredly. He had just gotten the yelling of a life time from his father, which had included affectionate words such as "you moron" and "you're not my son" as well as "brain dead" and "what the FUCK were you thinking".
Rinoa, on the other hand, had thanked him for going into the mansion to find RJ, who was now seated between her parents. Her father put a blanket over her body as she leaned against her mother and closed her eyes. She seemed to be sleeping.
Selphie was seated down the aisle from him, arguing with Seifer while Irvine and Zell played triple triad. Squall was talking softly to Rinoa while she stroked their daughter's head gently. Next to him, his mother was sitting with a book in her hands as usual.
"Hunter..." Quistis said as she looked over her son. She was sitting next to him on the Ragnarok and brushed aside his straight golden hair. "What is that?"
Immediately, the young blond man tried to suppress the blush as that was going over his face as he pulled away from his mother's hand. "It's nothing." he stated, trying to bring his hair back over his shoulder to hide the bite mark.
"Is that a bite mark?" Quistis asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she gave him a questioning look.
It seemed that everyone in the cabin, except RJ who was sleeping, seemed to hear what Quistis said and turned to look at the young blond man. He tried to sink into his chair as his cowboy uncle smirked. "Oh...I take it that's a love bite from our favorite little vampiress?"
"She said that she needed blood and she looked like she lost a lot!" Hunter exclaimed defensively. "What was I supposed to do!?"
"Needed blood?" Rinoa asked. She looked over at RJ, having noticed the blood on her, but never really thinking about it. Her daughter was, of course, a vampire. Blood was an integral part of her life. "She had no large wounds...no gashes...I thought perhaps crying...but...?"
"She was bleeding..." Hunter trailed off. "There was a bite wound on her neck."
Squall's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to his daughter and gently moved aside her hair. He could barely out make two wounds on her neck, but he still knew what they were. "Hyne...he bit her..."
"Why?" Rinoa asked as her hold on her daughter tightened. "Why didn't they just heal...?"
"That's not the worst part," Hunter added. The two vampires looked back at him. "When I got there, there was blood all over and she said that it wouldn't heal. She couldn't cure herself with magic because she had these on her wrists."
He put his hand into his pocket and pulled out two glowing bracelets. Quistis' eyes went wide. "I haven't seen these in a while..." the blond mumbled as she took them from her son's hands.
Seifer looked over and narrowed his eyes. "Weren't those the magic negators?" he asked. "The ones that were on Rinoa?"
Quistis nodded. "Yes...I think I'll run some more tests on them..." she said. Her blue eyes lifted back to her son. "What else?"
"Well, when I cast a cure spell on her neck," Hunter recalled as he tried to remember what exactly happened. "And then I took them off of her. After that, she said she needed blood so I let her bite me."
Selphie seemed to smile just as wide as Irvine had been earlier. "I see..." she grinned. "And you said you didn't like her."
Immediately, Hunter sat straight up and looked insulted. "I don't LIKE her!" he yelled defensively. "But she was dying!"
"Then how do you explain you sneaking out of the palace and on the ship?" Irvine asked casually.
Hunter opened his mouth and found that no words were coming out. Zell, Irvine, and Selphie all snickered in their seats as his mother gave him a warm look. "Even thought we went against our wishes," she said. "I'm glad you did go."
"But if you ever pull some shit like that again, we're not bringing you back, got that?" Seifer snapped.
"Yes, old man." Hunter said, rolling his eyes.
"I told you not to call me that!" Seifer growled. Hunter shrugged and ran his hand through his thick blond hair. It had always been popular with the girls. His father frowned. "And when are you going to cut your hair? You look like a girl!"
"What the hell are you talking about, old man?" Hunter grumbled. "I don't look like a girl!"
"Pssh...you keep telling yourself that." Seifer snorted.
"Seifer!" Quistis snapped. She glared at her husband and turned to her son with a warm smile. "I think you look very handsome."
"Thanks, mom..." he sighed. *Although, technically it doesn't matter if you think I do since you ARE my mom...*
*I heard that.* she replied in his mind with a frown. Hunter smiled meekly.
"Mommy..." a voice slipped from RJ's mouth.
"Shh..." Rinoa whispered as she stroked her daughter's tear streaked face. "Just get some rest, baby. We'll wake you when we're back in Esthar."
"Where's Hunter...?" she asked in a quiet, almost helpless voice.
"He's over there, baby..." Rinoa cooed. "Why?"
"He's been doing some underage drinking," RJ said, with a smirk. Hunter's eyes went wide as he turned and glared at her. "I tasted it in his blood..."
"Hunter!" Quistis gasped. "What did I tell you!?"
"Look at your son, Quistis..." Seifer said as he shook his head. "Becoming an alcoholic."
"He's YOUR son, too, Seifer!" Quistis said. She turned her head away from him. "My other lovers aren't that cocky."
Seifer narrowed his eyes. "Funny..."
"Did you thank him for the blood?" Rinoa asked. RJ nodded.
"She did not!" Hunter shouted. "She just said 'what the hell took you so long'?!"
"It's good to see relations haven't changed between the two of you..." Squall sighed. *And I'm happy with that.*
"Well, you did take a long time." RJ shrugged.
Hunter glared at her. "You ungrateful little-"
Rinoa let out a heavy sight. "Sleep!" she commanded suddenly. Hunter's eyes grew heavy as his lids slowly fell. Next to Rinoa and Squall, RJ's eyes also began to grow heavy and she began to enter the depths of sleep.
"Mom..." RJ mumbled in a tired voice. "Not...fair..."
"Raine Julia!!" The palace was stirring with activity even that late in the morning when they arrived. The three vampires were rushed into the palace using a dark canopy to shield their sensitive skin from the sun. The doors were wide open and four people eagerly awaited their arrival.
"Grandpa!!" RJ shouted as her grandfather gathered her in his arms and tearfully squeezed her.
"Thank Hyne! You're safe and sound! I was so worried! Terrified, actually! I thought I'd never see my precious little granddaughter ever again and I was going to DIE! I wanted to go after you but they wouldn't let me, can you believe it?" Laguna blabbered away as Ellone, Kiros, and Ward awaited their turns to hug the young vampiress.
"Laguna, let her go," Squall sighed heavily as he stood behind his daughter. "She's been through a lot."
"I think she'd like to get some rest." Rinoa added as she put her hand on RJ's shoulder.
The young vampiress stepped away from her grandfather's embrace and Ellone went up to hug her and stopped. "RJ!" she gasped as her eyes went up and down the girl's ball gown. "Were you bleeding?"
"I...I got hurt and my powers were negated," RJ stammered nervously, not wanting to worry her grandfathers or aunt. "So I couldn't heal myself. But it was a small wound!"
"Small wound or not, RJ," Kiros said as he realized that her dress had been dried with blood. "That's quite a lot of blood on your dress. I wouldn't have realized it if Ellone didn't point it out."
"Grandpa Kiros, I'm fine-"
"Hunter was kind enough to give her blood to replenish hers," Rinoa added with a smile on her face. "RJ was very weak and Hunter offered himself."
The blond who had been leaning casually against the door way turned his head away indifferently. A tint of red crossed his cheeks as Laguna and the others turned to him.
"Hunter..." Laguna said, almost whimpering. "Thank you!"
"Ah!" Hunter gasped as Laguna's arms went around his well built frame and hugged him. "You're...uh...welcome, sir!"
"Thank you for taking such good care of my little RJ! You're such a good boy!" Laguna assured him as he let go. He put his hands on Hunter's shoulders as the blue eyed blond looked at him, slightly fearful of another hug. "If you EVER need anything, you can be assured of my help! Anything!"
"That's all well and good, Laguna," Squall sighed. "But I'm sure that the kids would like to rest."
"RJ, come," Rinoa said as she took her daughter's hand gently. RJ turned as her mother began to lead her up the stairs. "I'll help you to bed."
"Mom..." RJ sighed. "I'm not a little girl. I don't need-"
"Non-sense," Rinoa shook her head as they proceeded up the stairs. "You'll always be MY little girl. Hunter! You come up, too! You need some rest!"
"It's quite all right, Mrs. Leonheart-" the blond began, but his mother cut him off.
"She's right, Hunter," Quistis said sternly. Hunter turned to his mother who crossed her arms and gave him a demanding look. "Go upstairs and get some rest. You've had a long night as well."
"Mom, I'm fine-"
"Don't talk back to your mother," Seifer snapped behind Quistis as he shot an annoyed glare at his son. "Get your ass upstairs and go to bed!"
*Damn you old man!* Hunter growled. "I'm not a child..." he grumbled as he hunched over slightly and began to go up the stairs, have a stair case behind Rinoa and RJ.
"I see he takes after his father..." Ellone smirked.
"Tell me about it." Quistis, Irvine, Selphie, and Zell all chorused at the same time. They stopped and looked at each other, surprised that the others had commented. Seifer just glared at all of them.
Squall walked past the group. "I'm going to for a drink. Ellone, can you see to it that everyone gets a room to rest in for the day?"
"Of course, Squall." Ellone nodded and headed down the hall way to make the preparations.
"We have to get back, ya know," Raijin said. "We'll be back after we arrange for some leave at Balamb Garden, ya know."
"Sorry." Fujin added.
"That's all right," Squall shook his head. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."
"We really appreciate it!" Laguna added enthusiastically behind his son as Squall rolled his eyes.
"Just call us if you need anything, ya know." Raijin informed them. Squall nodded.
"Thanks." The two instructors left the mansion and the sound of the Ragnarok leaving could be heard. Irvine closed the door and looked over at his wife.
"I'm going to go check on Rinny." Selphie said as she headed up the stairs.
"I'll be there in a few minutes." Irvine replied. Selphie nodded and continued her way upstairs.
"Seifer, can we go to the Strife's?" Quistis asked her husband. "I want to pick up Seraphim and bring her here."
"You should call first," Laguna pointed out. "Vampires are usually asleep by now."
"Right," Quistis nodded. "May I borrow the phone?"
"Of course, follow me." Laguna said. Quistis followed behind Laguna, Kiros, and Ward. Zell was going up the stairs.
"I'm going to go check on my family," Zell told the two males who remained downstairs. "I'll meet you guys in the bar room."
"Right," Irvine nodded. He grinned as he looked over at Seifer. "So...can I buy you a drink, brother?"
Seifer whirled around. "You're a dead man, Kinneas!"
The bath tub was filled with bubbles as dark red candles were lit around her bathroom, allowing the scent of roses to fill her senses. She sank deeper into the tub, the bubbles around her cheeks as the warm water lapped against her swan like neck.
"Baby, I'm going to go downstairs now," Rinoa's voice said as she walked into the bathroom holding a red terry cloth robe decorated with large black rose petals. "I'm going to leave this here," she said as she placed it on the stand next to the tub. "If you need anything, we'll be downstairs, all right?"
"Okay, mommy," RJ said with a smile. "Thank you."
Rinoa smiled and leaned over the tub, kissing her daughter's forehead. "I'm just glad you're safe, baby..."
Rinoa turned around to walk away and RJ sat up straight. "Mommy...?" she said in a quiet voice.
"Yes, baby?" her mother turned around to look at her with a warm smile.
"What's...what's going to happen to me?" RJ asked in a low voice. Rinoa bit her lower lip slightly.
"Nothing," Rinoa whispered. "Nothing will happen to you, baby. We'll make sure of that."
RJ looked down at the layer of bubbles in her tub and nodded. "Thank you..."
The door closed to the bathroom and RJ listened for her mother to leave her room. The sound of her bedroom door closing allowed RJ to relax. Closing her eyes, she sank deeper into the water as drops of red fell on to the soft white bubbles.
Outside her door, Rinoa leaned against her daughters room and closed her eyes. *I'll kill him myself if he comes after you...* Rinoa thought to herself as she let go of the brass handles and began to walk down the hall. She paused in the next door over and knocked. "Hunter? Is everything okay?" she called out.
"Everything is perfect, Mrs. Leonheart!" the young man yelled from inside as he finished stripping off the last of his clothes and grabbed the towels that had been placed on the bed. "Thank you!"
"Have a good rest!" Rinoa said before she walked down the rest of the hall way and down the stairs.
The shower burst to life and Hunter jumped into it. The hot, steaming spray hit his body with a welcomed feeling as he put his head under the nozzle. He stood there, just allowing the water to course down his body. Slowly he touched his neck, noticing that that wounds were now completely healed and probably no longer showed a mark.
He blushed slightly as he remembered RJ's lips against the tender flesh of his neck as they took out some blood. *I still don't get it...why didn't she heal? The bracelets are only supposed to negate magic powers...maybe they're an advanced version?*
After a few relaxing minutes, he turned off the shower and stepped out, refreshed and clean. He dried himself off and put on the pajamas that the servants had provided. He stepped out of the steamy bathroom, a towel wrapped around his head in a turban.
"And here comes Miss Esthar now!" a voice boomed.
"Hyne...no..." he mumbled. He turned his head to see the brunette sitting on his bed with a smile. She was wearing black pajama pants with a chocobo patter on them and a black tank top of a single chocobo on her chest. He glared at her. "Why are you haunting me!?" he shouted. "Do you hate me so much, you ungrateful brat?"
"I'm not dead, therefore I cannot 'haunt' you," RJ replied in a matter of fact voice. "Just came to say hi."
"How did you get in here?" Hunter asked. "I thought I locked the door!" He grumbled as he walked over to the bedroom door to make sure it was locked and that RJ didn't break in.
"I sneaked in through the secret passage." RJ told him, pointing to one of the panels on the wall that separated their rooms.
Hunter looked over at her and then at the panel. "You still fit through it? I'm surprised..."
RJ's blue eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?" she asked in a low, dangerous tone.
Hunter smirked. "That you're a fat cow. What else do you think I'm implying?"
There was a crash heard upstairs and Squall looked up from where he was sitting on the bar. "Did you hear that?"
Rinoa looked up as well and looked over from where she was sitting with Squall. Seifer and Quistis had already left to pick up Seraphim. Irvine, Selphie, and Zell had all retreated to get some rest.
"It sounded like it was coming from upstairs..." Rinoa mumbled as she put her glass of blood down and looked up at the ceiling.
"I heard RJ screaming!" Laguna shouted as he ran into the room where the couple was sitting.
"RJ?" Squall said as he shot up from his chair, his eyes narrowed. "Are you sure!?"
"Hyne! What now!?" Rinoa gasped as she ran between the two male vampires and up the stairs. Behind her, Laguna and Squall raced up the stairs.
She zoned into the sounds of struggling and what seemed like shouting. "You jerk!" a voice growled. "How DARE you!?"
"Gack!" a gasp replied.
"In there!" Rinoa gasped, pointing to the door where the voices were coming from, not realizing whose room it was.
Squall ran up ahead of her and braced himself as he rammed the door.
There was a loud crash as the door nearly flew off it's hinges as the three vampires ran in. Regardless of the commotion the two people on the floor of the bedroom didn't turn around or even try to move from where they were.
"Oh, Hyne..." Rinoa sighed heavily as she ran her hand down her face.
Squall just blinked. On the marble floor, on flat on his back, was a pajama clad Hunter. His face seemed to be turning a strange bluish color as RJ sat on his chest, dressed in a chocobo print pajama pants and tank top as her delicate hands wrapped around his neck.
"I am NOT a FAT COW!!" she was screaming as Hunter's arms flailed at his sides.
"Are...to!" he managed to gasp out.
"Why you!" Her grip tightened and Squall moved in.
"Raine Julia!" Laguna shouted in horror. "No!!"
"Help...me!" Hunter gasped as he turned to see the vampires at the door way.
Squall walked over quickly and grabbed RJ by the waist, pulling his daughter off of the Almasy boy. Immediately, Hunter sat up, gasping for air as he rubbed his bruised neck.
"RJ!" Rinoa gasped as she walked over. "What are you doing!?"
"He called me FAT!!" RJ cried, struggling to get out of her father's arms as she pointed accusingly at Hunter.
"She sneaked in here to bother me!" Hunter retorted.
"You...sneaked...in?" Squall asked. RJ froze. He let his daughter go and turned her around to look at him. "WHY?"
"Uh...um..." RJ mumbled. *Damned if I know...why DID I sneak in here?*
"To kill me, obviously..." Hunter grumbled as Rinoa placed her hands around his neck and cast a cure spell.
"Hunter, don't provoke her," Rinoa scolded. "Hyne, will you two EVER change? It's like all these years never passed and you're still as you were when you two first met."
"It was a natural reflex to insult her." Hunter mumbled.
RJ stuck her tongue at him. "Mom! Dad! Can you PLEASE move him as FAR away from me as possible?"
"I second that motion," Hunter agreed. "The farther away from her I am, the safer I feel."
"Bleh!" RJ stuck her tongue out at him once more as she crossed her arms. "Meany!"
"Hunter, gather your things," Squall sighed tiredly. "I'll call one of the servants to get you a room down the hall."
"And a floor below." RJ added. Rinoa rolled her eyes.
"RJ, YOU go to bed," Rinoa insisted. "And father, you get some rest, too. You're not as young as you used to be, you know."
Laguna looked at her surprised. "What are you talking about? I'm as young as these kids!"
"Whatever," Squall grumbled as he walked past his father. "RJ, go to bed. NOW."
"Yes, dad..." RJ sighed. She looked over at Hunter once more. "Meany!"
"Get out!" Hunter growled. RJ's taunting laugh could be heard as she ran out the door and towards her own room.
"I'll come get you when your room is ready." Rinoa said as she followed behind her daughter and husband and left the room.
Laguna was left there with Hunter. He watched his family leave the room before settling his gaze on Hunter. The blond sat on his bed and ran his hand through his wet blond hair. "Uh...sir? What are you still doing here?" Hunter asked the old vampire.
"I just wanted to have a talk with you," Laguna said with a sly smile. "About your relationship with my little Raine Julia."
"Relationship?" Hunter asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "I have no idea what you are talking about, sir!"
Laguna closed the door and looked that young man, who was suddenly beginning to feel nervous. "I think you do." He began to walk over and Hunter felt his heart quicken in pace.
"Uh...why do you say that, sir?" *Has my voice gotten higher?* Hunter began to panic. *I can't get nervous in front of this guy! He can SMELL fear...*
*Hehehe...he's scared...this is fun,* Laguna thought to himself, amused as he stood before the young man. "We both know that if you really wanted RJ off of you and to stop choking you, you would've thrown her off. Yet your hands weren't touching her at all or even trying to push her off."
"I...I could've hurt her!" Hunter stammered nervously, looking away.
"So you DO care about her." Laguna insisted.
"No!" Hunter gasped, shaking his head from side to side, spraying water from his hair all over the place.
Laguna wiped the water that his face off and Hunter paled. "No Leonheart woman has ever been won over easily."
"I don't WANT to win her over!" Hunter gasped, seemingly terrified at the idea.
"I know you'll take good care of her, Hunter. And that you're a good boy. But hurt her and we'll be on you like Zell on hotdogs, understand?" Laguna threatened with a smile.
Hunter slowly nodded his head. Unsure if it was the correct thing to do or not. "Yes, sir..." he whispered quietly.
"Good!" Laguna said. He reached out and patted Hunter's shoulder. "Have a good night, then!"
The blond watched as the older vampire walked towards the door and exited. The door closed and Hunter fell over on the bed. *I thought he was going to kill me...*
"Hunter!!" voice shouted in his ear loudly. Hunter's blue eyes flashed open as he looked up and saw his sister standing over him, waving a pillow in the air just before she brought it down.
"What the hell!?" Hunter shouted as he rolled over, barely missing the pillow as it came down on his head. He turned and glared at the blond who seemed quite proud of herself.
"Mom wants you to get up for breakfast!" Seraphim shouted as she turned around and left her brother's room. She slammed the door, making Hunter wince as he laid sprawled across his bed. He looked over at the digital clock by his bed.
"Hyne...it can't be sunset already..." he sighed heavily and rolled off his bed. He scratched his shoulder as he walked over to the door, dressed in loose boxers. He opened his door.
"Hey, Hunter!"
"AH!" Hunter's eyes went wide as he looked at three young men who were standing in his hall way. Three familiar young men he thought he had left behind.
The door slammed. The young man with the rounded, wire frame glasses on the tip of his nose and thick, dreadlocks like brown hair held up in a pony tail looked up to his two companions. "I told you we should've called before coming."
"He's just being the drama queer he usually is, Nooj," replied the tanned young man with the straight, spiky white hair held back by a blue head band. "He's just tired. It's early in the evening after all."
"Hunter! Open up!" said the last member. A tall, spiky haired blond with an eye patch. "It's me! Your buddy Gippal!"
"What the hell are you crap heads doing in MY house!?" Hunter shouted from where he was leaning heavily against his door.
"Aww..." Gippal smiled warmly. "Did you hear that Nooj? Baralai? He misses us."
"Hunter!" a voice echoed from downstairs. "Stop acting like a idiot and get down here! And bring your friends with you!"
Hunter let out a low growl and threw open his door. "WHY are you three here? Don't you have HOMES to go to?"
"Relax, man," Gippal chuckled. "We were going to Esthar Garden and we thought, 'hey, why don't we visit Hunter while we're here'. Besides, it's been a while."
Hunter just stared at them. "It's been two weeks."
"Whatever, just go change! We're having breakfast with your family!" Gippal shouted cheerfully. "C'mon guys! Let's let the lady get ready first."
"Shut up, Gippal!" Hunter hissed. He grumbled as he headed towards the bathroom. *Great...just great...the three of them show up unexpectedly tonight AND I have to take RJ shopping for her parent's anniversary party,* Hunter froze as he leaned across the bathroom counter, over the sink. *Oh crap...*
"Hunter...please don't hate me for saying this," Gippal said as they walked out to the drive way of the Almasy home. Hunter held up the remote for the dark blue, almost black sports car on the drive way. "But your mom is hot."
As the car beeped, signaling that it had been unlocked, the keys fell from Hunters hand as he turned and quickly and slammed his fist against Gippal's face. "Oh...Hunter, you didn't have to hit so hard!" Nooj told him sternly, being the eldest of the four.
"Let's see how you react if he said your mother was 'hot'." Hunter grumbled as he took the keys that Baralai had caught and headed for the driver's seat of the car.
"He has and I just ignored him." Nooj replied casually as he helped Gippal steady himself before getting into the back seat of the car.
"Hunter...ow...don't you have a larger car?" Baralai asked as he squeezed into the back seat.
"I wasn't planning on bringing you three along with me tonight," Hunter stated as Gippal headed towards the passengers seat. "You stay in the back."
"But there's no more room in there!" Gippal said, opening his one eye to give Hunter a disbelieving look.
"Then MAKE room," Hunter hissed as he sat in the driver's seat and started the. "I still have to pick up my parents' friend's kid."
"Oh...are we intruding on something?" Baralai asked as Gippal shoved him against Nooj to make room for himself. Baralai shoved him back.
"RJ's parents are having their anniversary party soon," Hunter said as the doors closed and locked. He began to back out of the drive way. "So she needs something to wear. She refuses to go out with body guards, so our parents are making me take her."
"So you're baby sitting for the night?" Nooj asked as he glared at the two full blooded lycans next to him. "Will you two stop moving! You're only making it worse!"
"Hey, I can't help it if Hunter doesn't want to get a bigger car!" Gippal said defensively.
Hunter rolled his eyes as he began driving. "Hey, is it safe for us to go walking around in a vampire city at night?" Baralai asked.
"It's perfectly safe," Hunter said. "Besides, we'll have a vampire with us."
"Your little friend is a vampire?" Nooj asked, raising an eyebrow. "She won't have any problems with lycans, will she?"
"She'll be fine," Hunter grumbled. "And even if she complains, I won't really care."
"I've been meaning to ask," Gippal said as he looked over at Hunter. "Have you heard of this club called Al Bhed?"
"Don't even THINK about going there," Hunter grumbled. "That place is bad news." *My parents will kill me if they found out I went there... The Loire clan will also kill me if they find out I took RJ there...*
"I heard it's the best club in Esthar," Baralai said. "Could you at least tell us where it is? We'll go without you."
"Fine by me." Hunter said. He turned a corner and the neighbor suddenly seemed to get more and more upper scale.
The other three men looked out the window, watching the huge mansions get only larger as they passed. "So...where is her house?"
"There." Hunter said. His blue eyes were locked to the palace that was slowly rising from the horizon in front of them.
In the back seat, the three lycan's mouths dropped as they laid eyes on the sprawling palace behind high, black iron gates. As they neared the gates they could make out the heavy metal seals on them. "Holy...Hunter!" Baralai gasped. "Do you KNOW who lives here!?"
"Hold on a second," Hunter said. He pressed a button on the door of his car and the windows rolled down. They stopped in front of a small call box. "Hunter Almasy. I'm here to pick up RJ so the little brat can go shopping."
A heavy sigh was heard coming from the call box. "Hunter...don't call her that."
Hunter smirked as the gates opened smoothly. "Thank you, Mr. Seagil!" As soon as there was enough room, he drove his car through the gates and down the drive way to the front of the mansion.
"Hyne! I can't believe this!" Baralai gasped.
"I didn't know Hunter knew people this powerful..." Nooj mumbled as the three males in the back looked out the window at their surroundings. "We are in the Presidential Palace of Esthar. Home to the largest and most powerful vampire clan in Gaia!"
"You're going to baby-sit one of the Loire children!?" Gippal gasped as Hunter pulled up to the front steps of the house and turned off the car.
"Just get out of the car," Hunter sighed as he opened his door. "I'm sure her parents would like to make sure you're not putting their precious baby in any danger." He grumbled, sounding annoyed.
The three managed to squeeze out of the passenger's door as Hunter walked up the steps. One of the large double doors opened to reveal Ellone standing there. "Good evening, Hunter."
"Good evening, Miss Loire," Hunter said. "Is RJ ready?"
"She'll be down in a minute. Come in, come in." Ellone said, smiling warmly.
Hunter nodded and turned around. He waved for the other three to follow behind him. "Come on," he ordered them. The trio behind him walked up the rest of the stairs and entered the foyer of the massive palace. "Hyne, just don't embaress me..."
They all stood back, noticing the older vampires lounging there. "Hunter, there are you are," a deep voice said. Hunter turned his head and saw Squall walking towards him. He raised an eyebrow. "Who are your companions?"
"Good evening, sir," Hunter said. He turned and glared at them. "They showed up all of a sudden at my house. Is it all right if I bring them along?"
Squall's cold blue eyes immediately fastened on them and studied them. "Lycans..." he said in a low voice. "I trust you'll make sure nothing happens to RJ?"
"Of course sir!" Hunter said, giving Squall a salute. He glared at the three people behind. "Ahem...don't you three know who he is?"
"Uh...no?" Gippal asked.
"Captain Squall Leonheart," Hunter hissed. "He was the one sealed in the gate."
"Captain...oh shit!" Gippal gasped as he immediately saluted the older man. "Hello, sir! It's an honor to meet you, sir!"
Squall merely narrowed his eyes. "I see..."
"Dad!" a voice shouted from the stair way. They turned around and caught sight of the young vampiress running down the stairs in a dark red halter and black leather pants with a chain belt and black heels. "Mom wants to talk to you about the invitations-"
"About damn time!" Hunter shouted from where he was standing.
"Shut up, meany!" RJ said as she reached the bottom steps. Her straight dark brown hair framed her pale face as she kissed her dad on the cheek. "Bye, daddy!"
"Make sure to stay with Hunter at all times," Squall said. "And Hunter," Squall said as RJ skipped out the door past the four young men. "Stay with RJ, understand?"
"Yes, sir." Hunter nodded. He turned around and exited the mansion. At the foot of the steps were his three friends and the young vampiress.
"You're...you're the piano player!" Gippal gasped as he stared at her in wonder. "The one who played in Balamb several weeks ago!"
"You saw me?" RJ asked as Hunter reached them and opened the door for her.
"Yeah-"
"Will you guys get inside the damn car," Hunter hissed. "RJ, you're the passenger's seat."
"I know, I know..." RJ sighed. "You could at least introduce your friends, Hunter."
"Fine," the annoyed blond grumbled. "This is Gippal, Baralai, and Nooj. They went to school with me. This is RJ Leonheart, my parent's friend's kid."
"Nice to meet you!" RJ said, extending her hand. Gippal nearly shoved the other two out of the way to shake her hand first. Hunter rolled his eyes and RJ giggled.
"Just get in the car..." Hunter sighed. *It's going to be a long night.*
"No," Hunter told her sternly as they drove past the huge warehouse. They could hear the music pounding within. "No way in hell."
"Oh come on, Hunter...please?" RJ asked. "It's toned down a lot since we left!"
"And how would YOU know?" Hunter asked.
"Because I know my mom and dad went here the other night," RJ said. "Come on! PLEASE!?"
"Yeah, Hunter, can we go?" Gippal added. Hunter was at the edge of his rope at one thirty in the morning.
He had just spent several hours prowling a mall with the most picky vampiress in Esthar as well as keep watch eyes on the three males that were drooling over her as if she were a steak and they haven't eaten for weeks. It wasn't helping that RJ generously flaunted herself as she ran in and out of the dressing rooms to 'see what they thought' of her dress.
When she finally decided on a slinky red one with thin straps that reached the floor, she had dragged them shoe shopping to find matching shoes. "FINE!" he growled after several minutes of pleading. "We'll got Al Bhed. But I swear, if you tell your parents, so help me I'll-"
"You'll WHAT, Hunter?" RJ asked, smirking. He winced. "I thought so..." He parked the car and they piled out.
"They're not going to let us in." Hunter told them as they approached the front door. Two large lycan bouncers were at the door.
"Hi, guys!" RJ said cheerfully as she looped arms with Hunter and pulled him next to her.
"Hi, Miss Leonheart, how are you doing this evening?" one of the bouncers as he pulled open one door for her.
"Doing good, thanks," RJ said. "I bought friends this time!"
"I see," the other bouncer said as she walked past them. "Have a good time, Miss Leonheart."
"Will do!" RJ smiled brightly and turned to grin at Hunter. "You were saying?"
"Shut up."
"Let's grab a table first!" RJ said loudly, trying to convey her message over the loud, heart starting music of the room.
"Good idea!" Nooj said. He scanned the crowds along the sides of the dancing masses to find a suitable table for them.
"Not there!" RJ laughed loudly. She lifted her arm and pointed to the top. "Up THERE!"
*Oh, Hyne...not with the vamps...* Hunter thought to himself. It was too late, RJ was already dragging him towards the elevators. The other three followed behind them and rode up the elevator to the third floor.
As the cage like elevator opened they headed towards the posh lounge littered with vampires. RJ walked in, knowing she belonged to the best of them. It was a dimly lit balcony area with couches and tables and chairs. The tables had a small candle in the center of them.
"Uh...RJ..." Baralai said, slightly nervous as he noticed all eyes were on them. "Are you sure it's okay for us to be here?"
"Don't worry about it," RJ assured him. "You're with me. Here, let's sit over there." She pointed to at round table with a black cloth over it. There were four chairs around the table.
"Not enough chairs..." Nooj said as he looked around.
"Yeah there are." RJ said. She grabbed Hunter and sat him down on one of the chairs closest to the railing that over looked the dance floor. Without a second look, she sat on his lap.
Immediately, annoyed blue eyes looked into hers. "What the hell are you doing?" he hissed.
"You're not a pure blood," she said lightly. "There is still some animosity here..."
"Fine..." he grumbled.
"Aren't you lucky!" Gippal said with an envious grin. "You get to have RJ sit on your lap."
"It's also for safety reasons," RJ informed them as she put her arms around Hunter's neck. He merely sat there, stoic looking as an edgy glare met the eyes of anyone who dared look at him. "He's not a pure blood. He might be targeted."
"Sure..." Gippal grinned. "Safety reasons..." He winked and Hunter rolled his eyes.
"I'll order us something to drink." Baralai said as he waved his arm in the air to get a waiter's attention.
As they waited for a waiter to come by, several young vampiresses walked over. "RJ..." one of them said in husky voice. "Who IS that?"
"He's positively delicious, RJ...care to share?" another vampiress asked.
RJ matched their red lip sticked smirk with one of her own as she leaned against Hunter and gently rubbed his chest with her arm. "Hands off... he's all mine," she said in a low voice. She smiled and looked back down at Hunter. "Isn't that right, baby?"
"Anything you say, love..." Hunter responded in a husky voice as his lips trailed against RJ's soft, scented neck. RJ smirked and looked back at the other vampires.
"I suggest you leave all four of them alone, else I won't be too happy. Understand?" RJ asked.
The other vampiresses let out slight hisses as they backed away from the table. "Who are they...?" Gippal asked, his eyes watching them move away and back to their table.
"Members of the Guado clan," RJ said as she kept her head leaned against Hunter's shoulder. "They kind of don't get along with the Loire clan after the whole Hell's Gates thing."
"Why?" Nooj asked. "I thought they themselves sent people out to help."
"They did," Hunter said. "But their leader doesn't like RJ's father and thinks that Master Laguna is a loony old coot not fit to run the Loire clan."
"He's just bitter," RJ asserted. "Because OUR parents were successful where his clan was not."
"RJ," Hunter said, unknowingly putting his arms around her waist and holding her close to him. "You shouldn't provoke them. What if they turn against us even more?"
"They wouldn't dare," RJ said with narrowed eyes as her fingers coursed through Hunter's straight, layered blond hair. "I know my limits and I know how I would fare up against them."
"You know, you two seemed to know exactly what to do when they approached," Gippal said, studying them suspiciously. "I doubt kissing RJ's neck was a spur of the moment thing?"
"I've known vampires long enough to know how to act in front of them," Hunter said. "Trust me, I'm disgusted as you are."
RJ sent him a glare and the other three chuckled. "Oh yeah...poor baby," Baralai laughed. "You get to kiss the lovely daughter of the Loire clan."
"It's all for show!" RJ insisted, turning slightly red at the thought.
"Right..." the other three men chorused. Hunter rolled his eyes and RJ turned her head away embarrassed.
"Stop it," Hunter sighed tiredly. "Trust me, anything between me and RJ is totally platonic."
"Right!" RJ shouted, a little loudly. She blushed some more and lowered her head. *Even if his hand on my arm is making me all tingly...*
Hunter nodded. "Besides...if our parents ever found out-"
"You'd be so dead." a deep voice said.
"Exactly." Hunter nodded. He froze. RJ's eyes went wide as she whirled her head and met the unhappy gazes of several familiar faces.
"Mom...dad...Mr. and Mrs. Almasy..." RJ whispered.
"Raine Julia Heartilly Leonheart!" Rinoa fumed as she glared at her daughter. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"
"And more so, explain why you're sitting on Hunter's LAP." Squall stated. Hunter reluctantly looked up at the vampire to see sparks of glowing red in his usually cold blue eyes.
Seifer merely shook his head. "Look at him, Quistis..." he said. "We told him not to come and he comes here anyway."
"I swear, Hunter Almasy, you are JUST like your father!" Quistis growled angrily.
Hunter felt all the color drain from his face. *Aww...shit...*