A.N. – Hmph. I was supposed to have left yesterday on the stupid plane, I tell you! But neeeh, my parents just HAD to change the flight to Christmas night because they thought "we should spend Christmas day together as a family in BLOODY BOILING HOT AUSTRALIA!!!!" (pulls face)

So don't expect anything cheery and funny from me today, I'm in a bad mood. I've even been drawing morbid pictures of dead Kurda covered in blood (I usually do this when I'm depressed. It makes me cry even more.) So hmph.

WARNING – This chapter contains some graphic lemon-ness. Not between Kurda and Vanez, though – it's all suggestive, implied m-m sex, you know. If you think you're going to find it uncomfortable, don't read it. Because believe it or not, people actually come and read this fic, then flame me for Kurda slash. I mean, how stupid is that? I clearly stated in my summary "SLASH"! So I won't accept flamers telling me that they didn't want to read this chapter, because I am in a bad mood and will be even more pissed if I get flames.

Taste of Love

V : Acceleration

Vanez only gave me permission to rest for two hours before I had to go to the Princes' Hall again to draw my next trial. I was so exhausted after the first trial, that I didn't even object. Tired physically and mentally, I practically flopped into my coffin.

I mean, did he really have to embarrass me right in front of two princes and my friend, Gavner? Both Mika and Paris gave me strange looks as if I was the one who started the kiss – and Gavner – well, he just sighed and shook his head as if he'd been expecting it.

I lay in my coffin, staring up at the lid grumpily. I couldn't get to sleep. If I'm going to waste time just lying here, I guess I'll go to the Hall to draw my second trial. You never know – it might be a really hard trial that's worth sacrificing two hours of rest to practice for instead.

Gavner told me yesterday that I need one witness (apart from the Prince) to draw each trial. As I didn't know where Gavner's room was, I decided to go to the Games' Hall to see if Vanez was there. I got up, changed my clothes, and walked out into the corridors.

'Vanez.....stop......don't....!'

I stopped at the entrance, hearing a man's desperate voice. I thought that maybe a guy was losing to Vanez with one of the games – but when I heard a loud throaty groan follow, I froze, and peered into the Hall warily (still hiding behind the entrance).

'Why should I, Seyle....?'

Vanez said, equally as breathless and croaky. He was shirtless, and was standing very close to another man, almost pushing him into the side of the spear ring. The man's straight-long black hair was dishevelled and falling into his eyes – his bright green eyes open wide with a mixture of horror and pleasure. I could recognise him – he was the guard Vanez was talking to on the day I went to draw my first trial!

I could just see Vanez expertly unbuckling the man's belt with one hand – though his other hand was already sliding its way behind it. The young man bit his lip and clutched one of the ring's bars, glaring at Vanez.

'Because, if someone comes into this hall and sees.....oh my god.....'

His voice broke into a raspy croak, and he groaned loudly. Vanez chuckled, stroked the man's long hair off his face, and whispered something into his ear. The man opened his mouth to protest – but Vanez silenced it with his lips. The kiss was long and hard – it went on for minutes, I swear – and when they parted their lips, saliva formed threads from their tongues – and both were breathing so fast that it was hard to even make out what they were trying to say.

'Vanez,......we shouldn't......I........no, wait!'

'Can't.....'

Vanez whispered, then pushed the man behind the ring, onto the floor where I couldn't see. I felt so sick that my legs wouldn't move – and when finally I stood up and was able to walk, I was determined to get further away from the Hall as possible. The last thing I heard before I ran off was Vanez croaking softly:

'Don't worry Seyle – I'll send you straight to Paradise....'

I didn't know what I was so upset about – but I felt sick, angry, sad and confused – I was shaking all over as I ran the corridors, not caring where I went. I knew that Vanez was a bisexual – and that meant that he likes both men and women – and I did see him with a girl yesterday. But today – a man!

I guess I'm angry for that girl who loves him. Yes, that must be it. I feel sorry for the girl – and I'm angry because he's cheating on her for a guy. I felt better now that I had explained and justified my frustration – but still I wasn't entirely convinced or rid of my anger. I huffed and scratched the wall with my nails as I strode quickly along the corridors, only to crash into a rugged, burly man.

'Kurda!'

Gavner laughed, regaining his balance. I forced a smile – but I couldn't fool the General. He frowned and poked my forehead.

'What's up?'

'Nothing.'

'Don't lie to me. That look don't look like 'nothing' to me, fellow. Tell me what happened.'

So I did. I didn't go into detail what happened, I just told him an overview. Gavner scratched his unshaven chin, and sighed.

'Well, Kurda, I do understand how you feel. Seeing two grown men kissing, rolling on the floor and god knows what else this early in the day ain't exactly pleasant.'

'But........Gavner, I don't understand!'

'Understand what?'

'They're both men!!'

'So?'

'......That's too.....too unnatural....! And wrong.....'

'Well, that's what I used to think. Until I became a vampire, that is. Vampires, even though they look rough and tough and all that, need lovin' as well. But there's only about one female per forty male vampires around in the world. And those females – for example Arra – are more masculine and tough than most men around here. That doesn't make it easy for us male vampires, eh?'

'You mean........'

'We've grown to not mind about gender too much. Humans need to have babies so most stick to the fertile man-woman relationships. But us – we can't have babies anyway, so there's no need for lovers to be the opposite sex.'

'Oh..........'

I thought about it. What Gavner said seems to make sense. I frowned.

'But still, Gavner, what Vanez did is wrong!'

'..........huh?'

'He was with a girl yesterday and she said she loves him! And today he's with a guy. What would the girl think!?'

I argued – Gavner sighed and shook his head.

'Vanez knows perfectly well that he's doing the wrong thing. But he can't help it.'

'Why?'

'Because.....oh this is going to be a long story. Let's start walking to the Princes' Hall – I'll be your witness for the drawing. We'll talk on the way.'

He said, and started walking. I followed, watching him expectantly. Gavner was silent for a while, but eventually opened his mouth.

'Vanez had a mate, once.'

'I heard.'

'You did? You know that she died?'

'Yes.'

'Well that's strange. He rarely tells anyone. See, when he had his mate, he didn't smoke, and he didn't sleep around with anyone and everything he saw, as to say. She was very beautiful – an idol of all the male vampires – she seemed like an angel in this stinking pit full of dirty males. After she died, Vanez lost all meaning in life. The Princes tried to give him something to do by making him the Gamesmaster – but he still was miserably empty. Then one day he just cracked. He started smoking, drinking – and screwing anyone he saw. And up to this day, he still does. He's just looking for pleasurable company so that he can forget about his true emptiness, even if it's just for a few moments. And those few moments of freedom from his past, is what he lives for now.'

'................'

'The friendly, flirty character is just a mask he wears – underneath it he's a fragile little thing, trapped in the vast empty darkness which is his past. Maybe no one can save him now – he's so hopelessly lost. But if he can remember how to love again – then maybe he can find light. Maybe he can be saved. I don't know.'

Gavner sighed, frowning slightly. I stared at the ground, thinking about everything Gavner had just said. I felt sorry for Vanez – but I still thought it was wrong to be cheating on someone. We reached the Hall of the Princes – and went inside to draw my second trial.

'Trial number 8 – The Tunnel of Swords.'

Mika Ver Leth announced, glaring down at me in his usual dark manner. I stared up at him, expecting some sort of encouragement or even just a simple "good luck" – but Gavner quickly dragged me out of the Hall, looking a little pale.

'What is it, Gavner?'

'That trial........'

'.........Is it.....hard....?'

'..............Yes.'

'Oh......'

I took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. Great. It's hard. Gavner looked at me worriedly.

'Go and see Vanez now. You should start practicing straight away.'

'But......'

'Only he can teach you. I've never taken this trial, but many of my friends have died taking it....'

He said gloomily, then bid me farewell, because he had to go and see someone. I didn't want to go back to the Games' Hall. What if they were still there? I walked along as slowly as I could, dragging my legs along, going over and over in my mind what Gavner had told me today – about the sexual orientation of vampires, and about Vanez's past.

'Kurda!'

Vanez yelled and ran up to me as soon as I reached the entrance. He had a huge smile on his face – I looked away, half disgusted, half glad that the guard had gone. I stared at the broom he was holding, unable to look him in the eye after seeing what happened earlier. I could tell he was a little angry as he asked:

'I went to your room half an hour ago, and you weren't there. I checked everywhere – the toilets, the shower room, the main hall – did you sleep in or something?'

'No.'

I said coldly. Vanez didn't seem to notice my tone, because he continued cheerfully:

'Well – we're a little late, but let's go now and draw your next trial, eh? And then we can have some breakfast, then start training, and....'

'I went already.'

'.........What?'

'I went with Gavner.'

'Oh. Well that's done, then. So that's where you were. Why didn't you come to me?'

He said playfully, and reached out a hand to ruffle my hair. I stepped back quickly and avoided it. Vanez just chuckled.

'Still angry 'cause I only gave you two hours rest, eh? So what trial did you draw?'

'The Tunnel of Swords.'

'Ohhhhh. The good old tomb-raider one. Very well. This is going to be fun, Kurda. You get to feel like Indiana Jones!!'

Vanez laughed. I frowned, and looked up at last at his smiling face.

'Gavner told me it was hard!!'

'Hard? Rubbish! This one's one of my favourites. You have to get through this looooooong tunnel with traps all through it. Swords and blades, that is. They pop out when you step on hidden switches in the ground, and try to chop you into mince. When you get through the tunnel, there's this room full of poisonous snakes. You have to get the golden cobra statue in the middle, then run for it before the snakes kill you. You go back the way you came, avoiding the blades again, running away from snakes – and if you bring back the statue to the entrance safely, you win. Like tomb raiders, you know. Cool, eh?'

'.................'

I glared at him. I'd like him to explain exactly which part of that was even remotely 'fun' or 'cool'. It sounds like pure hell! I kept on glaring at him – his slim face, straight nose, well-shaped chin, ash-grey twinkling eye, and his thin lips curling into a friendly grin. I couldn't see anything sad, any emptiness – I began to wonder if Gavner was just making up what he had said. Maybe he was. Maybe Vanez really is a perverted bastard who sleeps with everyone and anything he sees.

I felt like spitting at him. How could he be so disgusting!? How dare he kiss me, twice!? I wanted to run into the shower room and stand under the freezing waterfall with my mouth wide open for at least an hour – but instead, I just kept on glaring. Vanez's grin faded.

'What's up with you today, Kurda? Honestly, it's not that difficult a trial. Don't worry about anything Gavner said – just trust me. We'll work through this together, and....'

'No.'

'.............huh?'

'I can do it on my own. I don't need a tutor.'

I said coldly, glaring seriously at Vanez. Vanez's smile was completely gone now, replaced by a worried curve, his eye narrowed with concern.

'Why are you so pissed off at me? What did I do?'

'What did you do!!?? Well, let's see! One – you kissed me against my will, twice. Two, numerous unwanted bodily contacts. Three, snogging a girl who loves you and not even loving her back. Do you even have a heart!? Or do you just think that she's a 'thing' you can play around with, then dump when you're finished? And four,....' I took a nervous breath, 'That guard – Seyle, did you call him? – You were....'

'So you saw.....'

'Yes, I did. So I know three people who've been at least kissed by you in the last 48 hours. How many more are there exactly, I wonder?'

'........What are you trying to say?'

'What I'm trying to say!? Nothing. I just feel really bad for the girl for falling in love with a filthy slut, that's all!!'

'What, do you like her or something?'

Vanez looked slightly confused now – there was a little frown on his face. I glared back at him with a frown ten times as big.

'Of course I don't!!!! Unlike you, I don't go for people I don't know well, least of all people I merely layed my eyes on!!'

'Well – you just sound really protective of her. Have her, for all I care.'

'............!'

I gaped at him in disbelief, lost for words, too shocked and disgusted to talk back. Vanez sighed, and cocked his head sideways, looking at me curiously.

'If it's not the girl, then what are you so pissed about?'

'.................'

'It just seems to me like you're jealous.'

'I most certainly AM NOT!!!!!!'

'Are so.'

He smirked – I opened my mouth to continue the childish 'am not – are so' argument – but my words were muffled into a small moan by Vanez's lips. My eyes opened wide as he slid his tongue into my mouth – I came to myself and bit that tongue immediately. Vanez pulled back, his face contorted with pain.

I didn't wait to hear his excuse or whatever it was that he opened his mouth to say – I punched him in the jaw as hard as I could, span around and sprinted at full speed to my room. When I got there, I slammed and locked the door, dragged my coffin in front of it just in case he could pick the lock, then collapsed onto the floor, panting, convincing myself furiously that the warm liquid trickling down my cheeks were drops of sweat, not – most definitely not – tears.

A.N. (cont) – Oh god. I thought I would never have OCs in this fic, but with permission from Inyx, I put one in. The black-haired guard-medic Seyle. He was originally Luie, and then Zac, and then Sean, and then Seyle (a random original name I popped up with). It is pronounced to rhyme with Nile, as in the river. If you don't like him, I'm sorry Inyx! He'll only be in the story for another chapter somewhere later, so.....put up with it. SilentlyCrying

What!? I must tell Kirin not to kill you – I'm looking forward to your GavKur!! Please post it soon!

Countess Verona Dracula

Yay! You're not against Kurda purring! I thought I might get flamed for that but I didn't so I'm relieved… I hope you didn't mind the lemon-ness of this chapter. I love writing angsty confused angry chapters like this…! (dances) Anyway, if I hadn't already said it – Merry Christmas and thanks for reviewing!!

Alasse Fefalas

I'm so glad you could understand my fight scene… I really suck at them but I just realised that I have to do five of them all together now for each of Kurda's trials! (cries) Mika IS perverse! But I like him. I wuv you Mika the perverted Prince!! KYAA!! You like YnM too!? OH MY GOD MURAKIxTSUZUKI FOREVER!!!!!! Deranged sadistic psyco child-molesting doctor Muraki is my FAVOURITE!! My nickname at school actually IS Muraki and I'm so damn proud of it! Go away, shoo, little angsty Hisoka, because MURAKI AND TSUZUKI WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER!!!!! WOOHOOO!!!! (Runs around screaming out 'eden')

Inyx

Yeah – well, this is just young Kurda. So he's cute and posh and innocent – and then he grows up into that emotionless good-looking blonde adult who sleeps around a lot. Like you say. Oh don't worry – Vanez WILL make him purr again, very very soon…:) Yup, yup. Vanez was just making up the bit about Kurda throwing him the keys. Though, he didn't feel Kurda up. Oh no. Kyaa!! You are SO right! Vanez's 'to do, done' list must be in his room! And today, he ticked off "seduce cute guard" and "shag cute guard". Two things done. What a great day, he's thinking, until Kurda punches him in the jaw. I hope you didn't mind the OC… I'm trying my best to keep him non-stuish. I won't be able to have the "Kurda being jealous of the girl and wearing pink frilly underwear" any more, but I may have a nice "Kurda – guard private little chat" as well as "Mika and Vanez private little chat about ownership of Kurda", somewhere soonish. And to your request, I made Vanezzie kiss Kurdie again. Happy? Lol, I'm glad you're relieved about Vanez not shagging all the girls. Neegh! I'm not a good artist, I assure you. I got Ds in art in first-year high school, so I quit doing it. And Kurda turned out too anime-ish… (cries) AND I couldn't even draw Vanez's tattoo because Kurda was nuzzling it and he was wearing something. Oh well. Kya! Kurda should SO wear leather with nothing beneath it… I'm sure the pretty guard will do it for Vanez, though. Awwww, I thought I'd go and lose an eye so that I could sleep around like Vanez – no? no? Aw well… Don't you go doing it, either, okay?

dark-skies-angel

LMAO now that IS a compliment! I can't believe you actually read into my Kurda fic that much that you wrote Ray and Aaron in your essay! I hope your teacher doesn't come and read that story… It has very bad grammer as it was my first long Kurda fic… What do you mean by Gavner making fun of Kurda? Well, I hope this chapter answered your question "Is everyone in the Mountain frickin' bi or gay?' The answer is YES. Gender doesn't really matter, yanno.

Wail Halls

You are one stupid child. Did you read the story summary? "SLASH VanezKurda m-m sex", it says. Did you? Come back later when you're less ignorant, immature and discriminate against gay people. And for your information, all my other fics are Kurda-girl.

S-A

Oh… I'm so sorry that you're not feeling well!! I hope you feel better and you have a great Christmas and New Year. And don't worry about writing that fic if you're not feeling up to it, okay? Hurry up and get better so we can take over the world and make everyone love ants!!!

Fear The Walls Of Jericho

Yaaaaaay! You love Vanez!! You should join VanezLove c2 (when I make one, that is.) I'm not having too much trouble yet, but I may in later chapters for the trials – so I probably will need your help… Yeah, I wonder who will find out. Who do you think should?

Showjumper916

What!? Are you trying to say that Kurda isn't giving him enough love? (cries) You can't sign up membership? That's weird. If you need any help, tell me. Maybe I can sign you up for you.