Authors Notes: Again, let me remind you that this story is yaoi. Yes, boy love. Just a reminder...go ahead and enjoy...

I've Been Waiting Forever

About three weeks later, Riku lay on his back on the couch of a dead woman, staring with his still sightless eyes up onto a ceiling that he could only see in his mind. It was a delightful side effect of being a vampire, that when he drained them dry that he took some of their memories with their blood…it made things so much easier for him. He was easily able to find her home, able to find out where the paperwork for the place was…and all without ever having to see a thing. She had been a very visual person…

Slowly Riku rose from his prone position, sitting up and running his gloved fingers over his eyes. Now that he had a home and more willing food than he could ever need…he was curious about the world around him. Well, that might have been a lie...as he was, in fact, more curious about…Sora. That voice, so soft and gentle, haunted his every thought, invaded his every dream as he slept in the confines of his new home. That touch, the one that had set him on fire only weeks previous, still burned to the touch, making him feel as though if he didn't have more he would explode with the desire for it. He had to find him…if only to know the truth…

His fingers gently grazed the wall beside him as he made his way through the house, guiding him out the door of the house and into the busy human streets. The sun had long since set, and night was all around them, making Riku feel instantly more comfortable. Human's chattered all around him, and he could feel their gazes upon his form as he walked slowly in the darkness. At first he wondered what they could possibly be so intrigued by, but then he realized that modern day human's didn't really believe in vampires anymore, that they had trained themselves to believe that his kind was the stuff of myths and legends.

It made them easier prey for someone who'd had centuries to master the art…

"Hey honey," he heard a female voice call to him, feeling a hand upon his bare arm. "Can I help you find your way around? You don't even have a seeing- eye dog or anything…how are you getting around?"

Riku turned his gaze towards them, though they couldn't see it through the blindfold. He'd only been in this time for a short while, and already he knew that he didn't like the women of this time…they were harlots, all of them. Granted, it would have been difficult for anyone to turn a blind eye to someone as lovely as him, with his tight black pants and sleeveless black shirt that showed his body off to nice effect (or at least Riku hoped it did, the man at the shop said he looked…what was it? Fabulous…), he was the pinnacle of grace and androgyny. But that didn't mean they needed to throw themselves upon him constantly or assume that his…minor inconvenience…was cause for them to bother him.

"No," he said, pulling his arm away from her and dodging a body he smelled coming down the street. "I assure you I'm fine."

Riku had been about to walk away and continue his trek when he heard something soft come from the girl in question. "Hey…didn't Sora mention something about meeting a blind man with silver hair? Maybe that's him…"

Riku turned his head, reaching out to find the girl that had spoken and meeting with the soft flesh of her upper arm as he whirled her around to face him. Sora! The very person that had been haunting him for weeks, the very person that he was so very eager to find again, apparently knew this girl! Would she tell him where he could find him if she knew? Well, one way or another she would!

"Sora," he said, holding onto her slightly struggling frame. "You said you knew Sora? I met him the other night…do you…know where he is?"

The girl struggled free, though Riku could have held her there if he'd wanted to. However, his goal was not to startle the poor girl so much that she ran away in fear…no, that wouldn't be getting what he wanted, and he did want to talk to Sora…badly. Though, for the life of him, he didn't really know why. Other than the fact that his scent had been the one to awaken him, there really wasn't anything special about Sora really. Just another person…or at least that's what Riku kept telling himself as he was lead by the girl, Kairi she said her name was, to where Sora apparently was at the moment.

"Sora!" he heard the girl cry out beside him as she lead him through a pair of double doors. The instant that Sora came into the room, Riku knew. It was that scent again. That scent that had awoken him from years of slumber and nightmares…and now it got closer to him, making his pulse speed up in his body and his breath stop. So much like his dead lover…so much like his darling Azure…

Riku took a step backwards at that thought, not allowing himself to drown in memories. Azure was dead, long dead, his name nothing but a vivid memory in Riku's mind and no where else. Riku wasn't willing to let himself become that wrapped up in his feelings again, wouldn't allow another lover to die because of something he couldn't control and couldn't stop. He'd just talk to the boy, discover how and why he'd awoken him, and then move on with his life. He wouldn't let it go any further, no matter how many embers the young man stirred within his icy heart.

"Hey! Kairi!" came the reply, along with the sounds of embracing, that telltale sound of clothing rubbing together. "I wasn't expecting to see you here…"

The voice trailed off, and Riku could once again feel stares beating on him, could nearly hear the questions floating through the air. Why was Riku here? What was his purpose? To be truthful, Riku couldn't have answered any of those questions even if he'd wanted to, because the longer he stayed in the young man's presence, the more his mind became clouded. He could barely hear anything of his own thoughts anymore, could only register the basest of feelings and emotions.

This…was awful…and wonderful…all at the same time.

Each year, Sora's family held a ball, a grand event that they invited all the affluent parents and their children to in an effort to force people into unwanted marriages and random trysts. Or at least that was how Sora saw it. True, he was normally forced to go to said balls, but he never participated, choosing instead to stand on the side and watch the spectacle that was his family's wealth. It was a rather disgusting display on the whole, and for the life of him he didn't understand how the hell anyone could say they were having a good time.

This year was, unfortunately, different. He'd been informed by his mother that if he was never going to have another opportunity to go to a ball (thanks for bringing up the whole mortality issue mom) that he was going to learn to dance and actually participate for once. Oh, Sora had protested, spending many a night in his room staring out into space and ignoring his mother's calls that he should come downstairs and eat. But eventually he'd relented, and he now sat in a dance studio, learning the in and outs of the waltz.

That was until he'd heard the high-pitched voice of his friend Kairi, to which he'd rushed to meet her…only to find her with company. His eyes had widened, his whole body suddenly hyper sensitized to the slightest movement. It was that man! The one that he'd met in the park, the very same man that he'd been so fascinated with…that he'd dreamed about.

"I…didn't think I'd see you again…" his voice came out hushed, more intimate than he'd originally planned. A smile suddenly crossed his face, though he knew that the silver-haired man couldn't see it. "I still don't have your name you know…"

"Riku," the other man said without hesitation, as though it had been forced out of him by some great force. Sora reached his hand out and took Riku's in a handshake, marveling at the feeling of the other man's skin. It was…like silk. Sora shook the hand gently, enjoying the small smile the other man gave him in response. Riku…Sora liked the sound of that. He also liked the feel of this man's skin against his, and he was reluctant to let go, until a sharp cough from Kairi made him pull away, blushing.

"Nice to finally really meet you Riku," Sora said, putting a hand on Riku's middle back and leading him into the dance hall, where a dozen or so people were slowly moving around the room in an endless waltz. The strains of a violin were leading them along. Sora had to smile, noticing how graceful they all looked when they were moving like that…he wasn't nearly as good. But he was learning.

"I…apologize if my presence is unwarranted. I just…thought I might see you again…" Riku said, pressing his lips together hard in his embarrassment. This had seemed like a wonderful idea at first, to see Sora again and to figure some things out. Now…now he was horribly embarrassed, not knowing what to say or what to do in particular. He was starting to wish that he'd just stayed home…

"No, no!" Sora said, leaning on him. Riku nearly shuddered at the contact. "I just wasn't expecting to see you again Riku! Don't worry…any company to save me from learning to waltz is great!"

Riku shook his head, not knowing what Sora was talking about. Kairi had told him where they were going on the way over, but that didn't necessarily mean that Riku knew what to expect. He'd been asleep for the better part of 800 years, and that meant he'd missed a great deal of popular culture…he knew that the waltz was obviously a dance, but the word really didn't mean anything to him.

"I'm…afraid I don't know how to waltz," Riku said, attempting to cover his ignorance. He smiled gently, turning his head to the sound of the violin. That brought back memories…

"Come now Azure! Surely you don't wish to deny your lover a dance?" Riku said, wrapping his arms securely around his dear lover's waist. Slowly he moved them in time to the violin, spinning them through the high grass and wildflowers without any real rhyme or reason...and he laughed. Riku laughed a lot in those days, laughed in the gentle embrace of Azure as the younger man giggled slightly and allowed himself to be spun. The vampire had paid the violinist to play at his home, so that he and Azure could be alone and do as they pleased without interruption. It had been a beautiful night, the stars glittering overhead as they danced beside a fire in the field. And the blue-eyed youth had been so lovely…Riku had barely been able to control himself.

"But I don't even dance very well! You're getting yourself into trouble with me!"

"Well," Sora said suddenly, grabbing Riku's hand and pulling him towards the floor. "I barely know how to dance either…why don't I try to show you. I've never been allowed to lead anyway, so it'll be good practice...though I think you're getting yourself into trouble with me!"

Sora laughed gently as he led Riku towards the floor, not caring particularly if anyone thought anything of it. Many of the couples that were learning to dance were of the same sex, so it wouldn't be unusual in the least. Not to mention that Sora was so enamored with the older youth that he wouldn't have cared if they were. He moved his hand to Riku's waist, pulling their respective right and left hands up and began to spin them.

Riku, was to say the least, aghast. He hadn't been expecting Sora to do something so impulsive, but here he was, being led around a dance floor by the young man. It took a few times of him stepping on Sora's feet and many a nervous laugh before Riku finally seemed to be getting the hang of it, eventually finding himself tiring of following. It just wasn't in his nature…

With that thought in mind, he took over the dance; pushing against Sora and making him follow. Though this dance apparently was not to be done too closely, Riku made their bodies go closer, moving them around the floor, using his keen senses to tell him when they were getting within touching distance of another couple. Over and over they spun, Sora getting lightheaded and giggly, Riku managing to break a real smile as finally they stopped in the middle of the floor, Riku's hand on the small of Sora's back.

"I thought you said you didn't know how to waltz," Sora said, skin flushed and breaths coming out quickly. He hadn't ever waltzed that well with any of his instructors, it had always been a struggle and he'd looked uncomfortable…this, this was far more natural. And for the life of him he didn't understand why. Why this man that he barely knew yet felt like he'd known forever? Sora shook his head, finally noticing that their faces were so close together that Sora could feel the rush of air on his cheeks.

"I'm a…quick study," Riku said, pulling away quickly and walking through the dance floor. "You're better than you think you are Sora…give yourself more credit…"

Twenty minutes later Riku stood outside the dance studio (that's what Kairi had called it) with his hands behind his back, just enjoying the night air. It was quiet outside except for the lingering melodies that drifted from the building out into the night, and the air was crisp with just a bit of bite, the smell of burning leaves floating through it. Though Riku couldn't see a thing, he had a feeling that if he'd had his sight it would have been a beautiful night…

"I thought you'd left," came the sudden voice, startling Riku and pulling him from his thoughts. Why hadn't he smelled or heard him coming! Riku turned his body to the sound of Sora's voice, running his fingers through his long silver hair before trying to come up with a suitable answer. Why hadn't he left already? Did he have anymore business here? What was he really looking for? Riku's mouth opened and shut a few times, not able to really answer any of the questions floating through his head.

He hated not being in control of himself…hated it…

Sora had watched him walk outside, watched him stand in the darkness through the window of the studio. All the while Kairi had gone on about how gorgeous Riku was and how she ought to go out there and ask him out on a date or something. Sora had kept quiet through all this, until that last comment. For some odd reason…the date comment had bothered him. Turning quickly on her, he narrowed his eyes.

"Kai," he said. "I don't think he's your type…you know?"

With that he walked out the door and into the night, determined to do…something. He wasn't certain what yet but he was going to do something. Slowly he'd approached the other man from behind, careful not to startle him as he couldn't see. Finally though he'd spoken, apparently scaring Riku anyway even though he'd attempted not to.

"I'm sorry," he said, moving up beside Riku and sitting them both down on the stone wall outside the studio. "I didn't mean to scare the crap out of you. I just…figured you looked bored out here all alone."

Riku smiled gently, allowing Sora to sit him down on the cold, hard surface. He didn't answer him however; just continued staring out into space…if that's what you could call it. The two young men sat in silence for long minutes, not really uncomfortable, simply growing accustomed to each other in the quiet. It was Riku, much to his own surprise, who finally broke the comfortable silence and spoke.

"So…why are you learning to dance? Just interested?" he said, feeling rather foolish in his attempts to make small talk and hear the boy's voice again.

"Oh!" Sora answered, his voice sounding as though he were unhappy. "My mother is making me…my family is throwing a ball and apparently its inappropriate for me not to dance with at least someone. So here I am."

Sora shrugged lightly, forgetting for the moment that Riku couldn't really see it at all. Riku could feel it however, and he smiled at the blue-eyed boys motions. He could also hear something behind it, something very sad resting behind those words. Riku leaned in towards the other man, trying to gauge his emotions without sight. It was…difficult to say the least.

"Are you…all right?" Riku asked, knowing full well that it wasn't his place to ask Sora anything. They didn't know each other at all, and yet the vampire was concerned. He wanted this little one to be happy, and…wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was simply memories of the past come back to haunt him, a desire to see someone happy when he'd ruined someone else's life so completely.

"I'm fine," Azure said, shaking his head, his dark hair trailing down into one eye. "I'm just not feeling well is all…" Riku looked at him skeptically, shaking his head and sending his silver hair flying. His angel was certainly not fine, and he wasn't sick either…he was sad. And for the life of Riku he didn't understand why.

"Azure," he said, moving the boy's chin to make him look at Riku. "What's wrong angel? You seem distant today…"

"I'm fine," Sora replied, casting a glance in Riku's direction. The nice part about him being blind was that he couldn't tell when Sora was staring at him, couldn't see when Sora couldn't rip his gaze away from those silver locks and full mouth. It was a blessing, and yet a curse, because he was getting addicted…like cocaine. The first time you take it you're hooked.

Riku shook his head, knowing that Sora was lying. "Please, I know we don't know each other well…but…you can never be so honest as with strangers. What's troubling you?"

"I'm just…afraid," Azure said, finally leaning on Riku and wrapping his arms around the vampire's neck, burying his face. "The people are looking at me Riku…they're looking at me and saying things. I'm afraid."

Riku held his angel close, stroking the long brown hair and whispering all the soothing nothings he could come up with. Soon the younger man was calming; his tears that Riku hadn't even known were there were drying. He snuggled into the stolen warmth of Riku's body and looked up, his eyes shining in the moonlight.

Sora's eyebrows came together in thought, not quite knowing why he was trusting this man as much as he was. A short laugh came from his throat as he shook his head. "I'm just…tired of everyone telling me what to do, you know? I want freedom…I want to live my life. You know how that feels right?"

Riku smiled and nodded, knowing exactly how it felt to simply want to live, without restraints and without bars on your life. He nodded at Sora again. "Yes, I do. I wish I could show you how wonderful life could be without someone always controlling you…"

Sora smiled brightly, laughing and nodding happily. He was so happy, in fact, that Riku understood him, that he reached his hand out and took the older youths, not realizing what he'd done until Riku gasped. They merely let their hands linger for a while, neither one saying anything. Riku was merely staring again, while Sora's blush was threatening to take over his entire face…and still they didn't separate.

"Maybe," Sora said, daring to run his thumb over the top of Riku's hand. "Maybe you can come to the ball? I mean…it's in a few days…this weekend. You could find a tux in that time…maybe you could…"

Riku's heart was pounding in his chest, his ears ringing. Since when did something as simple as the touching of hands send him into such an emotional whirlwind? His heart sped up further when that thumb moved over his skin, making him gasp and nearly pull away. But he couldn't. He wanted that touch…that contact.

And Riku remembered…

Riku placed the broken body in his arms, tears that were tinged pink sliding down his cheeks and into the chestnut locks as he rocked Azure back and forth. In the hundred years that Riku had been a vampire, he'd never once considered it a curse, but now, as he looked down at a face that even in death was more beautiful than the Virgin Mary herself…he thought otherwise. Azure…had died because of Riku. Died at the hands of men who's only thought had been that a vampire bedded him each night.

Slowly, brushing his skin along Sora's as he remembered that night, Riku withdrew his hand. No one was going to suffer that fate again. No one was going to die because they loved him, or wanted to be around him. Standing up, he began moving towards the direction of his house, trusting his instincts to guide him there. He heard Sora call for him, but he didn't stop moving.

"Its downtown! You'll be able to find it!" Sora called, his voice hopeful and confident. Confident that Riku would make an appearance…

"Perhaps…" Riku called back, smiling delicately over his shoulder.

Sora smiled back…though the only person who saw it was him…

To be continued...

Authors Babbles:

#1: The waltz was invented in the early 1800's (1812 or something like that) so no, Riku would not know it.
#2: For those who say, "A ball, in 2005?". For those I say this. In my city there is still the Veiled Prophets ball every year on the fourth of july. So a ball isn't that strange...not to mention, who wouldn't want the opportunity to see the boys dance together?
#3: You liked? I hope so! I worked hard on this chapter! Please Read and Review!