(a/n) So thanks everyone for the great reviews… I really love getting email now! I would like to apologize to everyone for making you wait for this chappie, life can get really crazy during the week of a show. With life being as hell-filled as it is, this is great. I promised that I would respond to some great reviews in this chappie so here it goes…
Chibi-Bailey: That's coming, I promise. I have to get the start of it to Bishonen Mistress and let her work her magic though if you want something really good…
Drea-Chan: No flames on Leeche, sorry…really tempting though….
Kloudy Reignfall: Leeche is so easy and fun to write for!!! YAY! Cookies! I'm updating. Sorry about the length or lack thereof…when I originally wrote this it wasn't in chapter form but I had to for easy posting and lemoning. And really long one-shots should just have chappies…
Anuradha: YAY! Cookies! No Johnny Depp or Frankie though…
Lizzy: I don't think that dying your hair will help… Sorry, no Johnny Depp.
Bishonen Mistress: Anytime… -
Azn-Kirby: YAY! Cookies!
The Bard's Apprentice: Cookies! YAY!
HieiAijin1410: You are the first and only one to guess my paraphrased quote so the challenge is yours! If you have a challenge for me…write it in an email to me or a review and I shall do my best! -
sigh Now that I have accomplished that… On with the – (Eclipse glares at author with a hand full of fire) Ok then… here we go…
Disclaimer: Not mine, never was, never will be. (all in one breath and muttered under said breath) Whew! Now that everything is settled…On with the madness…er…I mean, story! Maris
Dinner Disaster
Dinner was starting to be delayed when the pair appeared, Gaia landing a firm smack on Raenef's head as they materialized. Raenef reached up to rub the assaulted point when his hand brushed skin and he realized that he had landed in Eclipse's lap. He blushed slightly and tried to get up, only succeeding in getting himself more entangled. "Sorry Eclipse," he mumbled, face redder than the tomato sauce on the night's meal.
Eclipse shook his head. "It is not a problem Lord."
Raenef stopped his maneuvers to disentangle himself and looked up at the older demon, a barely visible expression of pain on his face. " I am very sorry to have placed you in such an awkward position Eclipse." His voice came out formally, cold and distant. "Thank you for preparing dinner but I am suddenly not hungry. I bid you all good night." Raenef managed to get up without any other impediments and bowed to the table. "Lady Leeche, if it pleases you, I would be more than happy to discuss any arrangements with you in the morning." He bowed again and Eclipse caught the hurt, sad look in his eyes. "Once again, good night. Go!"
Erutis and Gaia shot up from their seats, cursing fluently. Gaia was the first to move towards the doors, followed closely by Eclipse.
Erutis screamed at her, "Wait! Bringing Eclipse in there Right now is probably not the smartest idea."
Gaia groaned. "But if we don't Rae might hurt himself!!!"
"How do you know? Rae won't hurt himself! He just needs time!"
"He could already be dead for all we know! And Eclipse is gone too, just by the way…"
Erutis gasped and looked around, shocked. "What now?!?!" She held out her hand. "We won't find them by arguing, but this doesn't mean that you get to take my place as palace bitch."
Gaia nodded. "Agreed. Eru, you go to that wing." She pointed. "Chris, you're there," another point, "and I'll check Rae's room and wing." She indicated the last set of hallways. "Leeche, you should stay here in case one of them comes back. If they do, keep them here if you have to sit on them!" She moved to the doors. "If you find either one, scream. Someone's bound to hear you. If you find Eclipse, make sure he's alright without letting him harm himself or you. On second thought, that goes for Rae too."
Erutis rolled her eyes. "Anything else so that we can give them more time to do something as you seem so sure that both of them are suicidal?"
Gaia smiled sweetly. "Oh yeah…MOVE IT!"
The trio split up and went to look for the missing pair of demons. Gaia materialized in Raenef's room to find the slender boy curled in a corner, crying as if there was no tomorrow. "Rae," Gaia said softly.
Suddenly a yelp broke the atmosphere. "Gaia! It's Eclipse!"
Raenef's head bounced up. "What?"
The pair followed the screams until they reached Eclipse's rooms. The main chamber was devoid of any tall, dark-haired demons at first glance until one noticed the wisp of long black hair caught on the base of the balcony railing. Erutis was standing with her hands over her mouth, eyes wide.
Gaia raced over and knelt by the strands of hair, following them to a body floating and sulking in the solitude of the balcony underside. "Eclipse. Fricking hell!!" She laughed with relief. "Do you have any idea what I want to do to you for a stunt like that?"
Eclipse smiled grimly. "Probably nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you for disturbing me."
Gaia gulped and nodded. "You can do whatever you want but I just want you to know that we found Raenef. He's fine."
At the mention of Raenef's name, Eclipse rematerialized on the terrace beside Gaia and Erutis, who promptly smacked him upside the head muttering about "love-sick, suicidal demons" then hid behind Gaia.
Said demonlord crept over and nestled his head against the angry raven-haired demon's shoulder. He started as an alabaster hand began to stroke his silky blond hair.
"Master Raenef, I…" Eclipse didn't get any further as a soft pair of lips on his own silenced him.
"My name is Raenef." The younger demon finished. "Not lord, master, liege, sire, or anything else to that effect. Second, do you remember that promise you made when I was first here? 'To stay with me forever'? If you want, I release you of it, as you clearly are only here because of it."
Eclipse's head jerked up and he grabbed Raenef's hand. "Actually Raenef, that couldn't be farther from the truth."
Gaia and Erutis exchanged incredulous stares. Eclipse was finally going to tell Raenef the truth…
Eclipse brushed his hand over Raenef's soft cheek. "I stay and I made that promise because I wanted to, want to. Not because I have to. If you wish me to go, I will. I am your servant and…"
Once more Raenef's lips cut him off, but this time with more force and passion. "Eclipse, I asked you to stay with me forever. I do not mean to send you away, however I will not force you to stay against your will. I…" Raenef stopped, his face tinged red, eyes cast down. "Good night."
Erutis and Gaia stared again. What happened to the sweet and happy little Rae from 10 years ago?
Erutis rolled her eyes and smacked her forehead. "Eclipse, you're an idiot. He loves you! He thinks that the only reason you stay is because he asked you to. When you call him 'lord' or 'master', he feels as though he is just another one of your masters." She squeaked as Eclipse's eyes narrowed and she fled the room.
Crimson orbs that had been angry slits opened in shock and disbelief as the girl's words hit home. "What? Master Raenef loves me???"
Gaia imitated Erutis and rolled her clear grey eyes. "What're you asking me for, go ask him!" She grabbed Eclipse's hand. "GO!"