Well, I didn't think I'd get this chapter finished. I ended up with writer's block for like four days and then suddenly Sunday I started writing and couldn't stop. Thank you to all those who reviewed and helped me with Meruhasae. She's probably utterly out of character but I tried. Anyway, Enjoy!

'Eru's thoughts'

Rae's thoughts

Eclipse's thoughts

Eclipse's inner voice

- - - = A change of scenery or point of view

Chapter 2 - An Intruder's Kiss

Erutis mumbled angrily under her breath as she stalked along the lengthy hallway. Behind her Chris was grudgingly following, rubbing his head where an Erutis - induced lump was forming.

"Why did you have to hit me so hard?" Chris grumbled.

"Oh, stop complaining and hurry up will you?" Eru replied, glaring at him over her shoulder.

"Why are we looking for Raenef anyway?"

Erutis stopped, ready to lay another beating on Chris, but withheld. 'Lord knows he can't afford to lose anymore brain cells...' "If you could remember anything then you'd know that you broke the last four swords I carved and we are going to go ask Raenef to teleport us to one of the villages with a blacksmith to get at least a practice sword."

The study was just ahead and she stormed toward it, leaving Chris in the dust. She grasped the ornate golden handles and hauled the huge double wooden doors wide open and stopped.

'What happened here?'

Chocolate chip cookies littered the floor of the study and the two demons stood in the midst of the mess, one smiling sheepishly and one busily smoothing his robes.

"Heh, hey Eru..." Raenef greeted, laughing nervously and looking toward his mentor.

Eclipse was standing with his back to Erutis in front of the desk, frantically trying to make his black robe attain order. "Are you incapable of letting me teach? Master Raenef has to study!" He growled at her shooting a death glare over his shoulder.

Eru had to stifle a laugh as her mind quickly figured out what type of "studying" would have to have been going on to get Eclipse's robes so mussed.

The awkward silence that ensued was broken as Chris appeared at Eru's shoulder. "Hey, Eru, why do you - " He stopped as he looked into the study. "What's with all the cookies?"

"Never mind that." Erutis snapped hurriedly, noticing the growing look of annoyance on Eclipse's face. "Rae, can you take us to one of the villages? I need to pick up a practice sword." She gave Chris a pointed glare. "One that won't break over a supergenius' thick head."

"Sure!" Raenef agreed, then a thought occurred to him. "Oh, wait... uh, Eclipse, can I?"

Obviously Eclipse couldn't resist the big aqua puppy dog eyes that Raenef turned on him because after a moment he sighed and nodded. "Alright, Master Raenef, you may go. I'll clean up here. Make sure you're back before nightfall."

"Okay!" Raenef agreed excitedly. "Come on, Eru!" He took Chris and Erutis' hands and with a happy little "go" the trio disappeared.

- - -

As soon as the group had disappeared. Eclipse turned around and slumped against the desk. Well that was fun. His inner voice piped up. We should do that again sometime. Will you just go away? Well I could but then you'd have no one to give you those dreams you enjoy so much... The voice trailed off in derisive laughter.

Eclipse let out another sigh and began picking up the cookies off the floor. Raenef had seemed to like them (even though he'd only had one), so he'd have to make some more. Whatever made his master happy.

He had to smile slightly at that thought. Most demons lords would want their subjects to ravage and pillage and the like but Master Raenef wanted homemade cookies. Oh, what will I do with him...? I could suggest some things. Quiet!

With the cookies cleaned up he teleported to the kitchen to dump them off and then to the library to settle in for a quiet afternoon with a book and a little "Eclipse time".

Hours had passed before Eclipse looked up from his book "Cleric Soup for the Demonic Soul", and looked around wonderingly. The sky outside the window had taken upon a rosy hue that reminded him of Raenef's soft lips and the castle was still and quiet. No amusingly burnable cleric nor annoyingly stupid knight nor deliciously gorgeous demon lord. Without them the castle seems somehow... Relaxing was the word he wanted to end with but lonely was the one that came to mind.

Aw, how sweet, you feel lost without your adorable little master to play house with. His inner voice mocked. I am Eclipse! Demon of the Third Order, veteran of the Hangman Campaign! I don't feel lost just because...

Eclipse was so engrossed in trying to prove himself to himself that he didn't hear the footsteps in the hallway until they stopped outside the library doors.

As the carved oak doors started to open in, Eclipse tucked his book in beside the armchair's big cushion and stood. "Master Raenef, I am glad to you are - " He stopped and stared as the doors swung wide, revealing the guest.

"Oh, my dear Eclipse, can't you at least muster a smile for me?" Meruhasae asked sweetly, coming further into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Eclipse asked coldly, glad he'd hid his book from sight.

"Come now, is it all business with you?" She teased, stopping at another armchair to sit down and cross her legs elegantly in front of her. Her silver gown clung to her, revealing her every curve. "You need to loosen up, perhaps play a little now and then." Eclipse stared at her.

"Alright then, don't." She pouted, mildly putout. "I came here to inform you of something I found very interesting ... "Meruhasae trailed off mysteriously.

"What is it?" Eclipse snapped irritably, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't sure how long he could put up with her intolerably bubbly attitude and wanted her gone as quickly as possible.

"My, my, my... aren't you in a bad mood today." Meruhasae stood and walked over to the fireplace, reaching up to run her tapered fingers over a small crystalline statue that graced the mantle. "I have gathered some information that says that the Demon Lord of Tareth, the north, is conspiring to take over this realm." She turned her back on the fireplace and smiled cheerfully. "It seems he feels your Lord Raenef is unfit for the position."

What should I do? Eclipse groaned and dropped back into the armchair. Raenef can't fight him. He'd probably try to befriend him like he has with everyone else who wants to kill him. His inner voice laughed and Eclipse agreed for once. I'll have to head this other demon lord off somehow. He ran a hand through his hair worriedly and stared at the black marble floor between his sandaled feet.

Suddenly he felt hands on his shoulders. Meru had taken the opportunity to come up behind him and start massaging his shoulders. "Your so tense all the time." She whispered in his ear. He turned to a block of ice in her hands and she sighed. "You're no fun at all."

"Thank you for the information. It will be very useful. You may leave now." He said harshly, hoping she would get the hint.

"But I haven't even taken my payment yet." She said seductively, trailing her fingers down the arm of the chair as she came to stand in front of it.

"Payment?" Forgot about that didn't you? His inner voice jeered.

"Yes." She smiled and leaned down infront of him. "And I want this..." She broke off as she leaned forward and planted her lips on a startled Eclipse's.

- - -

I hope he likes it. Raenef wished as he hurried down the hallway to the library. He could sense his mentor was in there and wanted so badly to give him the gift he'd bought. He looked down and sighed at the horrible wrapping.

The small rectangular box was wrapped in blue paper and tape with a silver ribbon knotted around it. The wrapping was a mess but Rae hoped the earring would make up for it. Inside the box, on a bed of black velvet, lay a beautiful silver crescent moon earring etched and baring a single black onyx. Rae had searched all over town for a gift and the earring had just screamed Eclipse.

He raced for the library doors but stopped as he heard voices inside. Eclipse's and a woman's.

Who could that be? Rae wondered sneaking up and cracking open the door. There they were. Eclipse was sitting in a chair and the woman she was... kissing him.

Raenef reeled back from the door, dropping the present. How can it be? I thought - He broke off the thought as tears began to stream down his face.

How could I have ever believed he would want me! He whirled, running down the hall, away from the couple.

A/N: I know you probably hate me now but there's no need t worry, there's always the happy ending. Chapter 3 should be up next week, hopefully. I'd also like to send special thanks to my beta, KitsuneGnome, and Bear. Love you guys! And of course to my lovely/handsome readers! Can't do it without ya! Well, Please Review, or I might have to come after you!

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