A.N. – Yay! I'm over half way! This story's supposed to end in 14 chapters – it seems so long away from here, but we're actually halfway done! Aren't you proud I've kept with it?

Oops. One thing you shouldn't be proud of me for – Thankyou Inyx for the correction – Churna's guts, I wrote, but actually it's Charna's guts. I should have asked someone who'd read the series in English first before using it. When you straight-translate from Japanese to English, Ls and Rs, Us and As get mixed up really easily. My bad. It's CHARNA. I'm very very sorry, Darren Shan. (And at some point in that chapter I also said "maded". It's meant to be "made". Forgive me!)

And – (God, don't you sometimes wish I'd just shut up?) – and I did finish drawing another picture of Vanez and Kurda – which turned out to be utter crap. My draft was fantastic, I assure you. But the real copy turned out messy and strange and just totally crappy. I wish I could draw better... T.T

Taste of Love

VIII: Never Look Back

Yawn – blink. I rubbed my eyes and sat up in my blankets. 11:30pm. Half an hour to my third trial – just the right time to wake up, then. I got up, walked around a little and did some stretches to soften my stiff muscles. Vanez's tutoring is always exactly right. Not too much so that I'd get really tired, but not too less that I'd feel unsure or insecure. I feel good – I feel ready.

I'm meant to meet Vanez at the trial maze at 11:45 – I'd better hurry. I didn't bother to wash – I'd be covered in water anyway in half an hour or so. I quickly got dressed into something light that will stick to me in water but won't be too heavy, combed my hair, washed my face and hurried out of the room.

I walked the corridors briskly – some vampires I met on the way recognised me and silently bowed their heads, making the death sign with one hand. I smiled at them, and continued on with my walking. As I travelled further into the corridors towards the maze, the corridors became quiet and deserted, as usually no one is allowed near the area.

'Kurda Smahlt.'

I span around, hearing a familiar dark voice from behind. Mika Ver Leth stood there, his long black hair sleek and straight (so different to Seyle's straight but fluffy hair), covering his narrowed dark eyes. I somehow felt intimidated, but forced a little smile and managed to take a friendly step towards him.

'Good evening, sire.'

'...'

'I'm...just walking to my trial, you know, um...'

I scratched my cheek nervously, not able to think of an intelligent conversation.

'Are you...er...going to watch me tonight?'

'...Yes.'

'Oh. Really? Great. That's...good. I'm kind of...nervous, and um... hungry, but that's all good, er...'

I was close to tears by now. It was so frightening standing close to a very tall scary man who just glared down at me so coldly. I stared at the ground, wishing that I'd just melt into it and disappear – which proved to be a very very bad idea indeed, because I couldn't see or avoid the Prince suddenly walk up to me, grab my wrist, and cup my chin with his other hand, making me look him in the eyes.

I gasped, too surprised to react instantly, just gazing into Mika's totally emotionless face. It was the first time I had seen it without his hair covering most of it – he had a long, straight nose, narrow dark eyes, deeply creased forehead, sharp chin, very pale cheeks, and extremely thin lips – extremely thin lips which opened slightly, and seemed to suddenly increase in proximity, and...

'...!'

My vision went blank – my mind just couldn't register what was happening, and when it did get to me that I was being forcefully kissed by a Prince, I couldn't do anything about it. His arms were so strong, his kiss so violent – nothing like Vanez's kisses, soft and sweet, so passionate – it was just purely violent, hungry, and forceful. Tears formed in my eyes, and I couldn't breathe – I tried to push him away but he just pushed me into the wall and slid his free hand up my shirt.

'You filthy, paedophilic, disgusting, old, bastard!'

I heard a voice from the left that made me cry with relief – Vanez! I heard footsteps running up to us, and him shouting out:

'You get your fucking hands off my student right now, moron, or else I'll bash your...!...Let go of me now, Vancha!'

'Sorry Vanez, but I can't let you bash up – whichever part you were planning on bashing up – a Prince. And your duty is to listen to me, isn't it?'

'LET, GO! That beast is trying to rape my student, I have the right to bash whichever part of him I want to bash up, now LET GO OF ME!'

'Just calm down Vanez, okay? You're getting hysterical. And Mika – let go of his student.'

The unusual voice demanded – it was rough and deep just like Gavner's, but older and somehow sounded more authoritative. Mika let go of me suddenly, and I slid down the wall and flopped to the ground. Just in time, I saw an unusual figure letting go of Vanez's arm, before Vanez ran to me and pulled me into his chest, hugging me so hard that I was choked again without time to recover from Mika's choking kiss.

I couldn't see anything but Vanez's red shirt that was getting pushed into my face – but I heard the unfamiliar voice quietly say something to Mika, who clicked his tongue and walked off. Vanez finally loosened his grip, and I could finally breathe! – or not. Next came Vanez's lips, blocking mine again. I seriously wondered how long vampires can last without oxygen – I was getting dizzy from the lack of it – but Vanez let go of me and turned his head to the man behind him (I collapsed to the ground and coughed and spluttered to get my breath back).

'Where's Mika? I'm going to tie him up on the wall, slice each of his fingers off one by one, dice his organs into little squares, rip his...'

'He's gone. And god you're getting sadistic, Vanez. You've certainly changed since the last time I saw you.'

The strange figure laughed a deep hearty laugh. He had green tinted untidy hair, and was dressed entirely in animal skin. He spat on the ground, looked at me, grinned, then looked back at Vanez.

'Why don't you introduce me to your "student"?'

'Oh. Right. Kurda, this is Prince Vancha March – '

Prince? A scruffy old untidy man like him, a Prince? Vanez continued:

'And Vancha, this is Kurda Smahlt, my latest student, as well as my future lover, who I swear I'll get in my bed as soon as his trials are finished, or maybe sooner...'

He winked at me – I went bright red, and Vancha laughed.

'Looks like just the type of boy you'd like, Vanez. I must say he is something, though. Very beautiful, if I may say so.'

'Don't you try anything – If you do, I'll...'

'I know, I know, you'll tie me up on the wall, slice each of my fingers off one by one, dice my organs into little squares, rip something else and chop up God knows what other parts. Besides, I'm only interested in pretty girls for the moment.'

'Shame. I wouldn't have minded having you in my room for a night or two, sire.'

Vanez grinned – Vancha laughed, but ignored him. The "Prince" walked over to me and held out a hand. I took it – he pulled me up from the ground with one easy pull.

'Nice to meet you, Kurda. I just arrived in the Mountain, and I'll probably be taking Mika or Arrow's place – so I'll see you 'round. And I'll be watching you tonight in your trial. Which reminds me. Don't you have to go to your...'

''TRIAL!''

Vanez and I yelled at the same time, and we both ran off at full speed to the maze.

'You'll be fine, Kurda. Relax, keep your mind clear, don't panic, don't think about food, and don't think about me too much, either.'

'Don't worry, I won't.'

I laughed – Vanez pulled a face, slapped my cheeks with his hands, hugged me briefly with one arm, and pushed me towards the two guards who were to take me to the trial. One was Seyle – apparently he volunteered to be the supervisor for this trial. He blindfolded me, and held my hand to guide me to the middle of the maze.

'So. How'd you go with Vanez?'

I heard his voice say, a few steps in front of me. I pulled a face and poked my tongue out. Seyle chuckled.

'Not yet, eh? I bet you'll fall prey to him soon enough, though.'

'Never!'

'Wanna bet?'

'Bet what?'

'Bet if you'll have sex with him before you finish your trials or not.'

'...You're sick!'

I exclaimed – Seyle chuckled. I frowned, and asked him:

'What, do you want me to sleep with him?'

'Yeah. By all means, go ahead.'

'Why? You like Vanez, right? And you don't like me, right? Why would you want us to get together?'

'Because,' He took a breath – 'Because I want him to be happy. If he dropped me so that he can sleep with you, then I want him to get his wish. Or else, me being dropped would be meaningless.'

'Oh...'

'And no, I don't dislike you. True, I used to hate you – but now I've talked to you and I think you're really cute. In fact, if Vanez didn't want you, I would have molested you myself.'

'...That's...nice to know.'

I frowned, thoroughly disturbed – Seyle laughed, and stopped walking.

'We're here. Middle of the maze.'

'Can I take my blindfolds off?'

'Sure.'

He said – I took my blindfolds off – The other guard was tying a piece of rope around my waist, with the rock attached to the other end of it. I looked around – the stone walls around me were higher than the practice walls, and I felt a little nervous. Seyle must have sensed that, because he slapped my back cheerfully, and said:

'You'll be fine! You've got more than 15 minutes till you drown, and even if you do drown, it's still water so your soul won't be trapped.'

'Well that's a relief!'

I said sarcastically – Seyle grinned, and beeped my nose.

'Don't you dare drown, blondie boy, I've bet all my best shirts and shoes that you'll pass. Plus, I'll seduce and get your Vanez if you die.'

'God, what is it with you and betting? And you're free to have Vanez any time, even if I do pass! He's not mine, and I don't like him in that way, okay?'

'Oh really? The way you blush when I ask you about him certainly is telling me something.'

He smirked – I blushed – Seyle laughed again.

'See, you just blushed! You really can't lie, can you? Anyway, I have to go now or else I'll get busted by the grumpy old Princes, so – ...I wish you best of luck.'

He gave me a high-five – then walked over to the other guard who was leaning on the wall and waiting for him. He turned around, and added:

'Don't start walking until the water comes in, alright? We can only trust your conscience.'

'Don't worry, I won't cheat, if that's what you're saying.'

'I know you won't. I have faith in you, Kurda. And I believe you're going to pass this trial – and all you've got to do is believe in yourself, too. Then you'll be fine.'

He winked – then disappeared into the corridors with the other guard. I stood there, memorising the walls of the starting point around me. All the subtle cracks and scratches in the stone walls were different in each wall – I took a deep breath, erased all else from my mind and made a starting point in the map in my head.

A few minutes later, water touched my feet – and I yelped at how cold it was. I shivered at the thought of being drowned in water this cold – and started walking briskly, dragging the rock with me.

The map in my mind was perfect – water had only reached my knees, and I was making fast progress. By this rate, it won't be long until I find the exit! I sped along, confident and concentrated.

A few more minutes passed – water was getting up to my waist. It was so freezing cold – I would have thought I was swimming in the artic sea near an iceberg – but I was pretty sure that the next turn I make will lead to the exit. I mean, it has to. The map was completed in my head – there's only four exits, and I've totally explored this quarter of the maze, I'm sure. When I make the turn just here, there should be an exit. There has to be.

...And there wasn't.

I froze.

Panic washed over me.

There is no exit.

Just a plain wall.

Why? How could that be? I was so confident that there'd be an exit – how could I have missed anything? How could my calculations have been wrong?

I can't go all the way back to the middle now, the water will be up to my neck by that time!

Water gobbled at my chest – it suddenly seemed to be rising quickly – and my mind went blank. The map in my mind shattered. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe from the iciness of the water choking me – I wanted to scream for help but couldn't.

I ran, freezing water rushing at my chest, slowing me down. The rock seemed much heavier than before, seemingly getting caught on every possible thing. I was shivering all over and my teeth were chattering. I ran and ran – I didn't know where I was going – I didn't care to memorise anything along the way – I was just so panic-stricken that I didn't even want to know.

The rock got caught at a corner, and I tugged the rope to pull it over. It didn't budge. I pulled harder – it still didn't budge. It was stuck. Completely stuck in a huge crack at the turn of the corner. And tugging the rope made the rock sit more firmly in that hole. I swam back to the corner, dived into the water and pulled the rock with my own hands – it didn't move. I went up for some air, came back again and pulled – not moving. More air, dive again and pull – it finally moved, and I pulled it out of the hole completely with great effort.

I swam back up to get some air – but even that was getting quite impossible. The water was up to my chin now, and quickly getting higher. My body was so frozen that it wouldn't move quickly. I pulled the rock and staggered through the maze, clueless where I was heading for. Every wall seemed to be new to me, and I had no idea where I was.

The water went over my nose – there was only about 3cm gap between the ceiling and the water, now, and I had half given up. I couldn't even tell now if my body was moving or not. I was just sort of floating, letting go of any will to reach the exit, mind slowly getting vague.

Sorry Seyle, you'll have to give up all your best shirts and shoes...

My sire – he'll never get to be proud of me...

Gavner – my best friend, who was just like my brother – will he cry for me if I die?

And Vancha – he seemed like an interesting person, I'll never get to talk to him again...

And...

Vanez.

You'll never get to sleep with me. I guess you'll be really disappointed about that, but you'll probably find someone else soon, anyway.

The water reached the ceiling.

All sound disappears.

Just calm, calm silence and sleepiness creeping over me slowly.

Water flows into my mouth, my nostrils, – and straight into my lungs.

I'm choking. Extreme pain in my head and my chest – I need to breathe so badly – but I can't –

Then, suddenly, the pain disappears. The need to breathe is gone. I feel pleasantly dizzy.

I close my eyes. If this is death, then maybe it isn't too bad.

"If you die, I die. Romantic, eh?"

Vanez's voice echoed in my mind – ...that's right. If I die now, Vanez is going to die after me. I can't let that happen! I'll make everyone sad! I can't...let that...!

With great effort, I opened my eyes. Water obscured my vision, but I could vaguely see the maze. There was a turn in front of me. There were two corridors. I knew I only had a few moments left – I couldn't waste time deciding which path to take. I decided on the left one, and swam with my last bit of energy to the end of that corridor.

And there it was.

A cross.

X

My eyes watered and tears flowed out of it, melting into the water rushing around me. I banged the X with my fists – Open, open, damn door! Open!

It didn't open. Maybe the cross was just a scratch. Maybe it's someone's idea of a joke. I felt extremely lightheaded, and felt my vision disappearing – everything went black.

Silence.

Then suddenly, the water around me whirled and pushed me violently against the wall – I heard a loud gobbling noise, then I was turned upside down, flowed over the wall with the rushing water, fell, fell, then hit my head on a hard, dry floor.

I coughed up water into someone's mouth. I opened my eyes wearily – everything was fuzzy for a second, but my vision cleared quickly, and I saw that it was Vanez sitting astride me, apparently doing mouth-to-mouth and heart massage. I coughed up water again, coughed some more, then managed to take a deep breath of air in. Air. Oh how sweet it tastes, and how I missed it!

Vanez looked at me, surprised that I was awake – then suddenly pulled me into his arms, hugging me extremely tightly, burying his head into my neck. His body was so warm against mine – and his tears were hot on my frozen neck. Cold tears fell from my eyes as well, relief pouring into me.

'God you're cold!'

Vanez croaked, a smile in his voice, as he pulled me even closer to warm me.

'I thought you'd never come...'

He whispered – I smiled weakly, tears still pouring down my cheeks.

'I felt so alone...So cold and alone, Vanez...'

I said, barely a whisper, teeth still chattering. Vanez nodded, kissing my neck. I closed my eyes, just savouring the warmth of his body, his tears, his lips...his everything.

A.N. – (dies) I hate writing trials! I'm sorry they're so hard to read. I'm more of a angst/feeling writer, not an action writer. It's really hard for me to write these, so be easy on me, I beg you! And I'm still waiting on the e-mail thing, believe it or not. My dad is furiously trying to fix it. Something to do with the trojan horse virus which we got rid of, and getting rid of some important dll files with it, which is obstructing log-in services like e-mail. So I still can't get e-mails. Please be patient!

venca blane

I'm so sorry I couldn't reply in the last chapter – I just read your review after I uploaded the last chapter. I'm so sorry! You're Vanez's big sister? You must be quite grown-up then. Are you pervy like him? XD Just kidding. Thanks for your reviews in my other stories – I wish you hadn't read them. My old work is very embarrassing. Terrible grammar, woeful storyline, you know. No yaoi whatsoever. So sorry.

cold-night09

Yeah. Vanez is impulsive, isn't he? He wasn't so impulsive in this chapter, but. Mika was more impulsive. But I mean, who can resist cute young Kurda? Even I'd want to molest him. You finished exams? Congratulations. I love the day after exam-blocks. You just feel so free, so "done", if you know what I mean. You won't fail. Have you ever? If you did your best, then I'm sure you'll surprise yourself with a great mark. My school life? Well I've just started the last year of high-school – and guess what? The University exam is on my birthday. Go me. (cries)

clam theif

Gaia? What is that? Yes, I do feel special – thankyou! I should write a one-shot fic for you in return – is there some sort of coupling or yaoi slash you like? Like Darren/Larten or KurdaHarkat or something like that, you know. I'd love to see the pictures of Kurda and Lian! Can you send them to me when I can see my e-mails again? Oooh I love final fantasy. Don't get me started talking about FF. I'll die... Oooh sexy sexy Auron and Laguna and Vincent...(dies)

The Freaky Butt Mate

Were you okay with the fact that he wears boxers? I just couldn't imagine Kurda wearing anything other than boxers, or else I'd die from nosebleed. Like, imagine him wearing G-strings or something like that. Or even nothing. (dies from nosebleed, comes back to life) Yeah. The stupid computer. It won't let me listen to hyde, either. And I can't watch my favourite video clip of Gackt dry-humping his guitarist on the ground at one of his live concerts. I want to kill the stupid computer! I NEED HYDE! HYDE! HYDE! I need hyde to live. He's my life. I die without his voice and his nude photoshots. (cries and dies again). Vanez: Elias and Elwyn, huh? Cute. I'll just go get my room ready so that you can come in for the night and we can... (gets hit over the head with baseball bats by Seyle and Kurda) Seyle: Oh, the author wanted to also respond to your other review, so I'll do it for her instead (dimpled grin) Forums. Do you know how to make a forum? Inyx and deli have no idea whatsoever. "We really should make one and share our overly pervy slashy thoughts." is what deli said. You guys are very scary. Didn't she invite you to the c2? I thought she did, in one of her reviews of your Daegan story. Didn't she? She is deeply sorry, and asks you now. She meant to ask you earlier, I assure you. Anyway, I have to now return to my owner, Inyx (cries), and to my home, her cupboard, so...bye!

Alasse Fefalas

You'd better stop drooling or else you'll dry from dehydration . Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying it – thanks for reviewing!

Silver Sky Magician

I don't think Vanez can handle it if Kurda dies – and besides, he has to kill himself according to the oath, anyway. Wait! I never said I'll write a ShinichiRan! I said I may write one if you give me an idea that I can build on. Please give me a suggestion, or else I can't write it!

Isarandel

Thankyou! I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

casadarn

Thanks! You flatter me. I'm honestly struggling a lot with this – but thanks for your compliments!

Inyx

I may update fast, but my writing skills aren't good, I assure you. Not as fantastic as yours, anyway! I absolutely loved your Evra fic! Well, the picture turned out that it's not really on the crotch. Because yes, it will hurt. (sigh) It's SO crappy! I had to borrow Seyle a little from your cupboard because I just had a crazy idea to make Seyle blindfold Kurda, kidnap him and take him deep into the mazes and say suggestive things to him. Besides, he wanted me to take him back, didn't he? So he got his wish for a few moments. I return him to you now. Thankyou. I wouldn't know if I write like Darren Shan would in English – because I read the series in Japanese... Hmmm... We both have no idea, then. Whips and chains to educate! Yay! Educate me, Vanez! I'm a masochistic brat who needs a LOT of educating! (flutters eyelids seductively) Nah, I wouldn't take you from Kurda. He'd cry if I do. OF COURSE Darren wears neat white Y-fronts! I've always thought that. I also thought that it would be very interesting to see Mr tall in boxers (only), and/or/with Harkat in Y-fronts. I'll be waiting and waiting for your Vancha/Harkat, okay? (glares and gets ready to strangle at the first sign of slacking) What? You have no idea how to make a forum? I thought you did, and that was why you suggested it! Now I have to go read about how to make forums...Oooh, no. Our PE teacher does NOT teach young boys. This is probably going to explain my yearning and starving for slashness – I go to an all-girls school. No boys. No slashy young gay boys. Damnit. No snow in Australia, either. Just sweaty hotness. It's going to be 38 degrees tomorrow, and EXTREMELY humid. Ew. Arrow isn't in this fic, because I can't remember what he looked like and how he talked, and I can't be bothered to go check books 46 because I'll probably wet them again with tears. So Mika can concentrate on molesting/murdering Kurda. Little Gohan was...strong for his age. But Trunks, I understand. Maybe Trunks. Hmmm.. I'll think about it. KYAAAA! Gav/Lar fic! Please send it soon so that when I do get my mail working, I'll have a very nice surprise first up! Please? Please?

Fear The Walls Of Jericho

Daydreaming is good. Most of my fics come from daydreaming. This one, too. You really should write ideas down. Little ideas, when given time and thought, usually expand into bigger ones and you can write something from it. Yup. I said maded. That's a typo. I meant made! I'm so sorry! This chapter would have been rocky to read... My trials are always really rocky. I'm sorry. Please don't kill me!

S-A

Hmmm.. Well, one of my friends have Glandular Fever and she sounds a lot like you. If it is Glandular Fever then it'll pass completely within a year – but you're supposed to be really tired all the while. Maybe it's something like that you've got. I wish I could see you and cheer you up... Please write! If you have heaps of time, then, maybe you can write! Oh, that's alright. It's not like Inyx and I've been having illegal conversations or anything. Us two are very very dirty. We talk on messenger sometimes and then we get even dirtier than here. It's like R18+ rated talk. I'm kind of liking Morsier. He must be a good friend of yours. I'm glad he liked the mangoes! Do you do a journal? I'd love to read it if it's an online one! What? Seyle licking cream off Kurda's chest! (gasps) I could so use that! But nah, an OC can't have such a great job in my fic. I didn't mean to have Seyle in the first place, anyway. Ooh, Inyx says she'll put Seyle on rent so you can actually rent him out. I'm sure he'll come to you gladly. And cheer you up! He sends his love and wishes too.

Showjumper916

Yeah. Maybe I accidentally spread our virus to your computer? No, I didn't. At least, I hope not. Anyway, send your details any time you can, okay?

Moose

Yup. Vanez is dirty. Partly because the author has a lot of dirty thoughts. Yay! You like Kurda too! I love Kurda the best, too! Except, I like Harkat as well. Not because they're "related" but I love Harkat's black jokes and his friendliness and sincerity, you know. In book 12, I liked the scene where the freak guy who can grow back everything gets his head cut off, and two grow back! I loved it! I cracked up! I loved the scene where Steve and Darren die, too! It was all gory and painful and yum!