Disclaimer: Not mine. I'm not---whoever created it. Unfortunately. And I don't own the companies producing this wonderful anime either. (If I did, there'd be a continuation. Definitely!)
Notes: No, I'm not dead...yet. Neither is this fic. I absolutely WILL finish it! (Even if FFNet kills off all the divisions and stuff that I made... TT)
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Midori no Rakuen
by Hotaru Muraki
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Chapter 3: Something left behind
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The last rays of the sun had all but disappeared beyond the horizon as he materialized in a certain detective's well-known office. After looking around briefly, Cain couldn't but wonder somewhat disdainfully why his childe, his beloved Shidou still insisted on continuing this charade of his. And in such...quaint surroundings, too! One would think that at least some of his sire's style would' have rubbed of on the lilac-haired vampire by now but no! It wasn't as if Shidou couldn't afford anything better either so – why? Was he still that enamoured with these weak, pathetic humans of his? Cain snarled at that thought, his golden eyes lighting up in anger. Maybe he had been too lenient. Maybe he had been remiss in teaching Shidou his place in this world. Maybe it was time to...'re-educate' his mate...
Cain could not help but smirk at that train of thoughts. Sadly enough, their encounters had become more infrequent as of late but were still as...stimulating as always. Even after all this time, his Shidou had still retained the blushing reluctance of a virgin bride. And although the younger male adamantly refused to admit it, Shidou had enjoyed himself on each and every one of these occasions as much as Cain had.
The ancient vampire smiled fondly, caressing the mug left behind on Shidou's heavy oak-desk as if it were a piece of his mate himself. Ah yes, the good old times. . . It had been some time since he had paid his reluctant little mate a visit. Maybe. . .
Cain slowly walked towards the room containing his beloved's sleeping place. He had known his childe was not present the very instant he had materialized in Shidou's office, of course, but for tonight at least, Cain had no plans to bother Shidou...much. Finding out more about where exactly his mate had gone off to, however, was another matter entirely. Smirk. And knowing Shidou as he did, the golden-haired vampire was certain he would find out more by looking at what the other had left behind.
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Yes, success! Not that Cain ever had had any doubts about it but he hadn't thought it would be this easy either. Cain triumphantly held up some brochures he had found on the small table beside Shidou's coffin. He had been right after all!
After browsing through those dog-eared pamphlets, Cain concluded that they all advertised some Hot Springs Resort or other. Absent-mindedly, he wondered which of the two trollops Shidou insisted on dealing daily with had had that idea. And what it had taken to convince his little mate to tag along. Hmm. . . Shidou. . . Hot springs. . . Shidou in hot springs. . . . . Rivulets of water running down a pale chest. . . The heat from the outdoor onsen flushing pale, creamy skin. . . . Cain smiled ferally. If his mate actually thought he could escape even temporarily, he was sorely mistaken! Obviously, Shidou needed a little...reminder of where he truly belonged to – and with whom.
Cain's deep, mocking laughter rebounded from the walls as the ancient vampire de-materialized, leaving the office silent and empty once more. Only a slightly displaced coffee-mug and a few dust-motes settling, dancing in the moonlight were evidence of someone having been there this night.
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O W A R I
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-x- Omake -x-
In his room, Shidou sneezed, a shiver running down his spine. Amid Yayoi's "Bless you.", Guni's taunting "Gotcha cold already, didn'tcha?" and Riho's worried enquiries, the vampire-cum-detective felt an all-too-familiar feeling of dread welling up in his chest. He nearly whimpered aloud. What devilry was his sire planning now. . .?