Hi everybody! The Goddess is back in action. I am so happy this chapter is finally up and I want to thank everybody who took the time to review and encouraged me to write more.
Special thanks to Neko-chan a.k.a. Ms. Tomato, my drawing slave, who I've forced to draw Solstice and numerous Hiei and Kurama pics for me. (*_* Kurama…*smack* Oh yah back to the Demon Diary fic) Anyway, Neko-chan thanks for proof reading my work and lending me your kinkiness. What more could I ask for in a friend heehee.
Warnings and Disclaimer are in chapter 1 and apply for the rest of the story.
Well enjoy. ^_^
Chapter 2: Explanations
Eclipse looked everywhere for Raenef, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally he stood outside of the last, most obvious place, the demon lord could possibly be: his bedroom. Eclipse had hoped he could talk to Raenef in a less tempting place but apparently luck was not on his side.
He was a little nervous and thought about what he was going to say while raising his hand to knock. / First I'll explain the whole courting business and then if he asks about the conversation between Solstice and I…/ he let out a sigh. /I'll just have to tell him the truth./
He took a deep breath, but before his knuckle could hit the wood, the door flew open and there stood Raenef who slowly looked up. When his eyes met Eclipse's Raenef jumped back in shock. He was breathing heavy from the scare and didn't say anything as he averted his gaze away from Eclipse.
They stood there for a few minutes, each pair of eyes trying hard to dodge the other. Finally Eclipse looked up "Look…I…"
"I'm sorry" voices chorused as there eyes met with confusion.
Raenef looked down again. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I just thought you two were talking about me, so…"
"It's okay you're a Demon Lord, you were in the right. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the courting process and other things sooner."
"I don't want it to be okay just because I'm a Demon Lord. I want you to forgive me because I made a mistake and I'm sorry." He said with a sad expression on his face. "Also I still don't understand all this stuff about your sister. What does it mean to be courted? Why does she want to be my lady?"
Eclipse gave Raenef a reassuring smile. "It is okay, I'll tell you everything you want to know?"
"Everything?" He said thinking back to what Eclipse and Solstice were talking about before.
"Yes" Eclipse said feeling slightly uneasy. /Here we go. If only I knew the extent of what he heard. If he asks me if I have feelings for him, what am I going to say? And if Solstice was really chosen for him, what hope do I have anyway? I know that Raenef has become more then a master or even a Demon Lord to me, but despite my feelings for him he needs my help now and if he ends up falling for Solstice I'm...I'm just going to have to accept it./ He thought as he followed Raenef into his room, making himself comfortable by sitting in a chair by the fireplace.
Eclipse watched as Raenef walked over to his bed and sat on the edge. Raenef looked over to Eclipse and nodded, signaling him to begin.
"Solstice is here because…well." He took a couple of seconds to gather his thoughts. "Demon Lords of the past have always been ruthless tyrants, so in order for the demon council and the Gods to appease them, they would send a member of the council to go to an oracle, who in turn would tell them who, out of all the people in the world, is the Demon Lord's perfect mate."
"Oh...like a soul-mate?" Raenef asked with a smile, making Eclipse's insides cringe.
"Yes, something like that. The oracle picks the person who is best for the Demon Lord, and the council finds that specific person and takes him or her to the Demon Lord, of their free will or not. Usually the two live rather happily and are very well suited for one another." He continued trying not to sound too depressed about it.
Raenef smiled. "So what does this have to do with me?"
Eclipse face-faulted to the floor, but quickly got up and reclaimed his decorum. "What do you think!?! You're a Demon Lord! Solstice was chosen to be your mate!"
"Oh" Raenef said slightly shocked.
"Look you don't have to except her as your mate today or at all" he said trying to salvage what little hope he had left. "But give her a chance, the oracle did chose her. Maybe things will work out." /Why did I have to say that? I don't want him to know I care, but I do care!/ Suddenly images of Raenef and Solstice's wedding popped through his head, making Eclipse feel rather queasy.
"Eclipse…"
Raenef's voice broke through to Eclipse, clearing his thoughts like a fan to smoke. "Yes"
Raenef took a deep breath and looked down, feeling kind of embarrassed. "How do I know if…if I should choose her or not?"
Eclipse smiled as he walked over to Raenef. Touching Raenef's face ever so gently, Eclipse placed one finger under his chin, raising his head and connecting Raenef's emerald eyes to his. "When you fall in love you just know it." /I do…/
They silently stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Did you love Embra a lot?" Raenef put his hands over his mouth when he realized what he'd just said. "I'm so sorry Eclipse...I..."
"Don't be" he said with a reassuring smile and sad eyes. "I was very much in love with her and apart of me still is...but I am responsible for her death."
"I don't believe that! I know you to well, you loved her I could see it in your eyes when you talked about her. And I also know that if you loved somebody you'd do your best to protect them."
Eclipse was sunned at Raenef's outburst.
Raenef put a hand on Eclipse's shoulder. "This has obviously been troubling you for a long time. I don't want to pry but if you ever need to talk about it, well you know where I am."
"Raenef ..."
His train of thought was broken by a loud knocking. Raenef shot a smile towards Eclipse and then went to answer the door.
He pulled the door open and there stood Solstice, whose gaze immediately drifted towards Eclipse as if she knew he was there. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No I was just on my way out." Eclipse answered "Besides you two haven't had a chance to talk yet." He took one last look at Raenef. "I'll see you both tomorrow." and with that he vanished
Raenef looked at the empty space that Eclipse had occupied a second ago. He had seen sadness reflecting in Eclipse's eyes when he left and Raenef couldn't seem to shake it from his mind.
"Hum, excuse me." Solstice said with a huff /I'm not used to such a little amount of attention. Hmm I'll have to do something about that./
"Oh sorry, what can I help you with?" Raenef said coming out of his daze.
"Well aren't you polite. Actually I just wanted to know if there is a room I could use, although your room does look rather comfy." She said while plopping down on Raenef's bed, her hand rubbing the empty spot next to her as to gesture for him to come over.
"Yep it is." Raenef said with a naive smile "There's a room next door you can use. Here I'll show you." He said reaching out his hand to her to help her off the bed.
She reluctantly took it. /This kid really is as dense as they say. Well I guess I'll just have to be a little more blunt./ She quickly tugged hard on his hand causing him to lose his balance and fall down on top of her. "Opps I'm sorry. She said licking her lips.
"Uh…It's okay" Raenef said as he got up, a little dash of crimson spreading across his checks. "Why don't we go to your room now?"
"Okay" she said with a smile. /So he's going to give in after all. I wonder what the council will say…oh well, I'm just doing my job./ she thought as Raenef lead her down the hall.
Raenef stopped in front of a door and opened it "Here we are."
Solstice walked in and looked around "Hmm nice place"
"Well goodnight." He said while starting to turn away. "Now that you're settled, I'm going to sleep."
"What? Wait!" She said confused /Why is he such a ditz? Maybe he really can't be swayed by me?/ Quickly she approached him from behind and hugged him, draping one arm across his chest and resting her head in the crook of his neck. "Why don't you stay a while." she whispered in his ear her tongue only millimeters from his skin. "We could have some fun."
Raenef's eyes widened as he felt her nails brush against one of his nipples and immediately broke away from her embrace. "I'm very sorry I have to go now" he said with a wavering smile. "Go" he said leaving Solstice alone.
/Hmm…he definitely is an interesting one./
~~~Meanwhile~~~
Eclipse appeared in his room, and collapsed on his bed. /Why did I have to leave them alone together? Because it was the right thing to do. He's a great friend, but he'll never love me. I guess I should be glad someone like him would even want to be friends with me, considering all the things I've done. I don't know any one else who'd believe in me like he does. He doesn't even know my past but he trusts me so much…damn it! Knowing Solstice, she's probably already trying to seduce him right now./ The thought of solstice attacking Raenef and having her way with him, scared Eclipse immensely.
Suddenly a picture of Raenef tied to a bed and crying as Solstice cracks a whip telling him to be quiet popped into his head. He squinted and did his best to shake that thought away.
/Well at least with the magic barriers in this castle; she can't go into his room without his permission. But would he be able to resist her? Would he even want to resist her? She is beautiful and has seduced her way through life thus far./ He thought while staring at the ceiling. /If any other demon, besides her, was chosen it wouldn't be so bad. I might have actually had a chance against another demon, but the fact is that my own sister will win Raenfef's heart over me, and there is nothing I can do about it./ Eclipse let out a long sigh and somehow knowing that tonight would be a sleepless one.
TBC…
So what ya think? It's okay I can take it (maybe). My main concern, because, I've never written a chapter fic before, is if this chapter flows well from the first one. Also I don't really have the whole story worked out in my head, so any ideas about what should happen in future chapters are welcomed. So now be good little readers and go review this fic. Well until next time may the power of Yaoi bring you happiness.
Love Always,
Yaoi no Megami~sama