Au: Hello everyone and happy fourth of July ^_^. Decided to celebrate it by sending another chapter of mu VHD fanfic. Hope you enjoy.

"Dialogues"

Thoughts

Another language

Inner Demon


Chapter 6

The day which the news of the bloody Countess –Carmella's assassination spread in the entire vampire society, the whole land and kingdom went rampaged. From around Europe, news and letters were exchanged between the Nobles and Vampiric aristocrats and amongst them, the mighty Great Ancestor wasn't any exception as well. Count Dracula received the most letters, as a King it was part of his responsibility and duty to prevail and being informed of any newly occurred incidents so he could order or arrange a plan for investigation.

For many centuries, Carmella's reputation as being the bloodlust Nobless preceded her and many high ranked Nobles feared her or even detested her for her existence. Quite frankly, many regarded her as a shame, a scandal, a bad reputation for the Nobles' society; her liberty in satiating her thirst for blood had no limits, and sometimes went as far as to steal preys from many vampires, regardless of their official social state. Therefore, her ambition for her uncontrolled hunger had turned into a longtime issue, and Vampires fearing her vengeance and wrathful anger, they didn't bother to state their objection and utter discomfort of her attitude.

I once heard from Drac that Countess Dolores- known to be one of the numerous ancient noble women survived and lived till now- had wrote a letter and stated to the King about the bloody Countess, asking from him to give her a fair warning and show solid punishments if required. Too much occupied with other ordinary things, Drac had brushed the request aside and answered in a polite letter that such thing is not possible at the time, promising fair objections if the Countess shall overstep her boundaries.

So far so good, the Countess had prevailed the hunting seasons for a few years till the ball at Dracula's mansion happened and indeed, she finally overstepped the line. Dracula fed up (especially when his most precious possession had been threatened and involved unintentionally) deduced that the time had suited for solid action being set place, but with this oblivious thought that his intentions to teach that old harlot a good lesson won't go as he had anticipated.

Well thank or blame me for this…

I was sitting on one of the leather divans in Dracula's study room while he kept on fiddling carelessly yet anxiously with the large amount of letters he kept on receiving in boxes every day. The sun had long disappeared behind the grey angry clouds and the scent of soon coming rain surrounded the entire mansion in a melancholy aroma; at least in contrast to the tense and cold vibes Drac used to laminate, the damp air felt more soothing. Watching the anxious Count stumping back and forth behind his desk, I couldn't help but pity him, not forgetting to mention that the sound of his heels clicking hard on the marble ground was starting to get on my nerves.

"Chill out Drac!… nothing important happened_" I was cut off by the most piercing, coldest glare he shot at me.

"Nothing important?" He inquired disbelieved. "NOTHING IMPORTANT?" He snapped.

Yup, he lost his temper!

By the blink of an eye, he materialized in front of me and sat with one knee bent beside mines, one arm stretched over my abdomen resting beside my waist, and the other, gripping the head of the divan in a fierce grip. To conclude, I had myself trapped in the place and under his wrathful glare.

"Are you even aware that this is all your fault?" I held his gaze with a nonchalant stare of my own. "Those letters which keep on coming areyours to deal with not mine… NOT MINE!" He yelled.

Not flinching, I rested one leg on top of the other and locked my arms on my chest, leaning back on the soft fabric and sighing reluctantly. "You know Drac, for many years I've been the one who was cleaning up your messes. Now you are cleaning up mine in return of the millions of yours… Although, IF you could count what I did as a mess at all." I saw his jaw tighten and the tip of his sharped fangs began to reveal themselves from under his crimson thinned lips.

"Are you MOCKING me woman?" He hissed in a vampiric tone.

Scoffing, I narrowed my eyes at him. He was beyond furious and at any moment, one wrong move could make him easily lash out at me and start another bloody battle.

Your butt itches for a fight huh? How stupid are you witch?

"No my dear nemesis." I leaned forward so that our faces were inches away. "I am trying to teach you, even now," I gave a firm nod of head. "How to be grateful for the things I've done for you." I gently stroke his face and found his scowl deepened and his blue frosty cobalt eyes gleamed as a pair of bloody rubies.

"Did I not warn you to stay away from her?" he leaned further toward me. "Did I not ORDER you to leave her be?"

Scoffing again, I began to feel my own rage fuel up from his childish act. "I don't recall being under your orders Count. I came here for certain reasons as I hope you recall them well." I brushed a raven lock behind his pointed ear.

"Roxana_" He growled.

"What?" I smirked mischievously. "What am I to you? Do you think I'm your daughters or your mistresses that you can command and control like a rag doll as you like? You can't pull my strings, for I am not one of your precious possessions." I could feel the frosty vibes of his magical strength trying to penetrate into my own flame like ones but ending up melting under my fiery attitude, driving Drac to the threshold of losing his of his tolerance.

"After all, we both are aware that we are enemies." I whispered, biting back a growl of my own.

Ungrateful Vampire… Is this the thanks I deserve to get from you after ALL these years?

Holding his glare, I found him gradually soften his eyes and lower his rubies, still holding that frown on his handsome visage. "Yes, you're right… you are my enemy… an enemy who holds enough power to compete with me; not a lesser being to be played and kill time with." I rolled my eyes at his remark.

Wow! This is the longest compliment he ever gave you? I heard the demoness giggle in irony.

You call it compliment?

"Well, that's a good boy." I chuckled at him and ruffled his long silky locks, feeling him growl at me for being treated like a dog. (After all, one of his shape-shifts is that he transformed into a huge hell hound to devour his enemies.)

So don't blame me that much.

It didn't take long till my chuckles were silenced by the bolt action he did. The arm that was holding the head of the divan in a death grip and the other, which rested beside my waist, were locked around me in a gentle embrace and Drac, as in his kneeled position, rested his head on my laps, pressing his crown to my stomach.

Finding myself from the verge of death to the longing embrace of the lone Count, I bit back a chuckle at Drac's mood swings. Such moments occurred seldom and were often when he was in the most depressing times of his life… although, it was depressing for me too. No parent would remain silent if their only child had been threatened and/or exposed to perils. Drac was of no exception as well. He had suffered from Mina's death and now, D's condition was more for his tired and old soul to bear. If not displaying his concern so boldly, but Dracula cared a lot for D…

"You have grown heartless too, eh?" I heard him inquire in a small whisper, breaking my train of thoughts.

Realizing that he had laid in his position for long while I was drowned in my own sea of thoughts, I sighed and rested one hand on his shoulders, and with the other stroke his silk soft mane which had cascaded like a waterfall around his shoulders, blending with the night black armor and cloak he wore which was spread on the crimson floured carpet beneath him.

I felt his shoulders rise and fall in a long sigh. "I haven't gone heartless! You got more mood swings which even I fail to understand. And then, you complain about women's moods…" realizing my tone of mockery, I found his shoulders shake in laughers.

"I see. You are insulting me as comparing me to women and implying my moods being less than them." I chuckled at his choice of words, but at least he was smiling after this whole week of stress, and this was enlightening. To be frank, having an old grumpy vampire in a foul mood is not amusing at all… -_-;

Glancing at the letters which laid like white feathers on the ground and desk, I sighed sympathetically. "I do believe you should stop skulking and get back to work." I heard a muffled growl in return. Patting his hair, I found him languidly raise his head and regarding me through heavy dark lashes.

"Skulk?" his strong chest vibrated with chuckles. "I am not skulking woman." He laughed at his own jest. I couldn't believe, but to roll my eyes at his mood; first he was like a deadly predator ready to kill, then he became like a lost innocent child, now sounding like a man lost his sanity from too much mental pressure.

Why am I not surprised?

"Drac, you better least open those letters and read the contexts, if not applying to answer any of them at all."

"What for?" he pouted and I sighed. "They are all about me; complains and worries to be answered. Searching about the cause of Carmella's death, which is quite obvious," His eyes gleamed with a tint of amusement. "And me to handle the task and solve the murder."

Good luck with that Sherlock! Don't forget to bring Miss Watson here with ya!

Shut it!

"You must consider that if for long the letters remain unanswered, the expeditors will soon arrive at your door and demand an even greater answer. Your lack of proper manners would increase their suspensions and rise the doubt of you having a hand in this, you idiot!" I nearly yelled at him for his stupidity.

"You're right!" His eyes returned back to their rightful consciousness as they should have. Regarding me with a thoughtful expression, I felt his hold tighten around my waist. "You are always right." He whispered.

The moment we locked gazes, Drac's eyes glowed with a hint of intensity and I was lacking to comprehend what was happening. Before either of us could make a move, the double doors burst open and one of the butlers of the manor came running in. "SIR I MUST_" he stopped dead in his tracks while regarding us and our position.

"Um, Milord, forgive me if I interrupted anything," He bowed his head and a pink dust covered his neck.

I glanced skeptically at Drac and he slowly withdrew from me, standing up in his full proud height. "What is it, Gaul?"

"Sir I am gravely sorry for the intrusion, but a few Counts and Dukes from London and south Transylvania have arrived here, demanding strictly to see you Milord." He panted.

Regarding me with a shocked and bemused look, I shot my eyebrows up in a look of 'told-you-so'. Sighing in defeat, the Count thanked the butler and dismissed him.

"Now, what are you going to do?" I asked him after the servant left us in our small privacy.

"Well, entertain our guests." I saw him show one of his famous devilish smirks which I hated so much (Well because it used to make me smile deviously as well…).

And it always followed TROUBLE!

"Then good luck Count." I stood from my spot and made myself toward the door, opening them with a flash of magic. "By the way, why didn't you correct the poor man that he didn't interrupt anything?"

I glanced at him and found a mischievous smile plastered on his face, "I like to make people have some thoughts about us. It's rather amusing."

Scowling at his perversity, I continued on my steps till the hidden meaning in his words struck me like lightening. Turning around on my heels from where I stood outside his study room, I glared at him with a shocked expression

"YOU PERVERTED_" Too late, the doors slammed right at my face, followed by the muffled laughers of the Count which sounded muffled behind the thick double doors of his chamber.

That JERK!

It had been hours since the arrival of the dukes and nobles and surprisingly, their numbers began to increase with every passing hour and Dracula was losing his patience with them. According to the sounds, I could deduce that they all demanded Dracula to investigate the death of Carmella and explain them the true cause. Luckily, the vampires had noticed their King's foul mood and were more than ever careful with what they asked and remarked, which Drac was grateful for them.

Soon the grand hall which the Count's throne resided was filled with the same number of nobles as it did back those weeks ago on that fest. I made sure that D was heavily occupied with two subjects he loved most, art and history. Whenever he sat studying them, time would've flew long before he could take notice so I was relieved about him not becoming peculiar of the large amount of people visiting his father so abruptly for a bloody argument.

Walking behind Dracula who was fuming with rage, I watched the many faces in the crowed and even spotted a few familiar ones which I recalled being engaged in friendly chats during the ball, including the Duke whom had those two beautiful daughters. Fortunately, being invisible to the naked eyes, I decided to keep my presence hidden and wander a bit to investigate some gossips going around the death of the bloody Countess.

"Milord, the death of someone like Countess Carmella isn't to be taken lightly. The murderer must be found and solidly punished." A grand Duke who appeared an aged man in fine noble clothes yelled in a dignified tone.

"Yes, if the murder won't be determined, the whole ceremony which had happened will be disgraced." Another Count which I assumed being Magnus Lee with his daughter the beautiful Lady Larmica stated.

Dracula had some veins popped on his forehead, but no one took notice of them. I was biting back some giggles till a very strange argument caught my attentions.

"I don't want to sound unfair, but the death of that leech wasn't so bad after all." I heard a young red haired vampires whisper in German to her female companion.

"Yeah, father said that her death was supposed to be done many centuries ago."

"Come to think of it, now that she is vanished, it has risen a great opportunity for us to anew the vow made to the beautiful prince."

"Yes," another one inclined. "But father said that we mustn't interfere. The elders of each family have decided to speak this out with the King themselves."

I scowled at these information and went back beside Dracula to listen to the people who dared to raise questions or declare a searching group to investigate the situation. To my surprise, the Dukes and Counts which spoke their thoughts were those who had beautiful daughters within their household and to my opinion this matter starting to become more than a just a mere coincidence.

Among the group, I found Countess Dolores who was listening to the whole negotiations taking place and smiling at every single individual who stated their mind. Regarding and observing the crowed, I suddenly deadpanned; the owner of young vampiress in the family showed great enthusiasm in convincing their King accept at least one thought or idea spoken out loud, the daughters and young ladies in the hall were chattering, and sometimes showing great exhalation whenever Dracula agreed to one of the opinions. This meeting appeared like a competition between the Nobles to gain the King's approval.

How odd! The fathers are looking for an opportunity to force their daughters upon the Prince! Aren't you feeling ironically heart-broken, future mother-in-law?

What are you implying?

Look for yourself…

Observing this madhouse and putting the pieces of the earlier conversations together, it dawned upon me the truth; every single individual who has attended this argument has a nasty reputation with the Countess and wished for her annihilation, for it proved two benefits: an end to the illicit bloodlust of Carmella which had turned into many Vampires' nightmares; second, with the woman gone, the vow made to D as the future mate has been turned into dust and a great opportunity has arrived for those nobles sired daughters to display their daises to the young prince.

WHAAAAAAT?

Simple, they debate until Dracula would agree to one of them, even if it means to end it in a bloody battle. When the Count agrees, the said man would make a bet to find the murder, but with the condition that his daughter would be primarily in line for the next ceremony to be made. Overall, no one is sad or concerned about the death of that old leech, but glad for the path reaching toward the Sacred Ancestor has become straight…

A Golden Chance!

My stomach churned in both excitement for figuring them out and in disgust for their lack of decent behavior, viewing D as a priceless possession to be obtained in an antiquary show. I stared wide eyed at Drac, finding him still fueled in his own oblivious anger.

How very bold they are revealing their true intentions yet, you moron are blind enough to listen instead of cutting their heads off… ironic!

Smiling at a sudden brilliant idea which dawned upon me, and the thought of seeing their shocked faces after I confess, I couldn't hold back my blazing excitement and stood behind Dracula, materializing to my physical form.

"Milord, we must find the murder and punish him or her by making them as an example."

"Yes but who could that be?" Countess Dolores asked in raspy yet gentle audible tone and made everyone look at her puzzled, confused, and even mortified.

"The murder is none other than your beloved King," I announced and walked like a cat beside the shocked Count standing in front of the crowed. "Your dear Great Ancestor was the one who put an end into her miserable life."

The hall was filled with loud gasps and whisperings. "What are you doing woman?" I heard Dracula hiss behind me.

"What is the meaning of this woman?" A Noble growled, making me chuckle at his bold display. "My King, order and I'll dispose of this whore at once!"

"SILENCE!" The solid yell of the mighty Vampire Lord echoed through the hall, making everyone freeze in spot.

Regarding his subjects with an aura which spoke of great authority, I felt the chilled breath of Drac tickling the hair behind my neck. "The woman is right… I… am responsible for the death of the Countess Carmella." His stern tone made everyone gasp.

"But Milord why would you_" I cut the Duke of the Rachel Clan.

"Yes indeed, but why?" I circled around on one heel to face my nemesis, looking at me from under long lashes. "As your mighty King, he has long been receiving letters which spoke of Carmella's ambitious and endless bloodlust. Many clans and Nobles had been seeing your King in person to receive a proper answer or solution, a more suitable fate for the bloody Countess. The appraisal Countess Dolores which is among us wasn't any exception from the Highness' list of visitors." All attentions went to the noble woman whom smiled in agreement.

"It is the duty of the King to prevail the welfare of his people and subjects. Therefore, Count Dracula was hoping to make a proper negotiation with her which wouldn't end in such tragedy. The Countess had received many solid warnings that she had denied or neglected all the time." I paused to regard the crowed and found them calling her a disgrace for disobeying their King.

"As a result, your King… being the generous and exemplified King… still felt high regards for her and hoped her mind would change. Therefore, he invited her to the ball, with the last warning given her."

"Yes, and she disobeyed the last order after these long centuries." Dracula finished the former statement and I heard the crowed looking at him with awe.

"Milord, you still held your force back just in hope to make her change her heart and yet, for CENTURIES you attempted?!" Magnus lee was nearly paling in astonishment.

"Milord, indeed you are a very patience King… accept our high regards from your humbled subjects." The Count known as Count Baylor bowed which followed all the members in the hall to bow in courteous manners in front of Drac.

"No need for such formalities." Dracula signaled them with his hand to rise.

"And this is not the end," I announced, starting to circle the Count while he still eyed me no longer with a look of disdain, but with a look of amused bewilderment. "Sensing the time has come, your King thought the most honorable death for the Countess; since her reputation goes beyond many Countesses and Nobles, the only punishment for her was… the Silent Execution; Impale her while asleep." I saw more shocked faces.

"And he did it himself with his own hands, putting an end in the life of the keen of his, though holding a mourned face for being left to do such awful act. Sacrificing one soul for the sake of the many other good souls was a worthy yet difficult decision… the only right decision. Putting an end in the nightmares, in the painful life of the bloody Countess Carmella, and save her soul with such heroic act, and finally, making her an example for the society all at the same time." I finished my dramatic speech and stopped, standing on Drac's other side while resting a hand on his arm.

"But sir with all due respect, doesn't Lord D deserve to know this? How do you explain the situation to him?" One of the sinister Duchesses inquired.

I scowled. "There is nothing to be explained to the young Lord. After all, we all agree that he is QUITE young to be exposed to such adult matters. Am I right?" I glared at the woman who returned it with a sneer.

"And in addition to that, Lord Dracula had informed at the ball that he himself would be the one to pick the woman worthy of being Lord D's future mate. Am I RIGHT?" I directed my question at all the individuals who were present at the hall and many nodded in agreement.

"But sir, it was Lady Carmella_"

"Are you implying her position as a Countess was more than me which I'm your KING?" Drac lost his temper and resulted in his last word being shouted in pure rage.

The hall went in small shrieks and gasps of horror. No one was that insane to face Drac's wrath at that moment, especially when he was fueled fine enough to burst into full trigger and slaughter all members in the hall, regardless or being of his own blood or flesh.

"No M-milord. F-f-forgive m-me." the poor Count stuttered.

I chuckled and stood in front of my beloved nemesis. "In fact, why not as a token of our gratitude," I glanced at the crowed. "We show our thanks to the Great Ancestor… after all, with this most tragic yet brave act, our Count Dracula is indeed a true Hero!" I gazed at him and found him bit the inside of his cheeks for not bursting into laughers at the sudden change of debate.

Well done it turning the tables gal! You did again, saved his sorry butt from the trouble!

What would he do without me?!

I bowed in front of him, sitting fully on the ground and lowered my head a bit just like a princess showing demeaning courtesy toward her king. "Thank you for saving us Great Ancestor." I declared and soon the crowed of nobles imitated my act, bowing in their own polite poses and chanting their thanks in unison.

Raising my head, I found Drac's expression quite priceless regarding his subjects; he was beyond shocked while a gleam of genuine thrill danced in those topaz eyes. Suddenly, his gaze fell on me and then...

He smiled!

A smile that I hardly had seen him wear!

A genuine smile out of genuine happiness!

Before I could regain my composure from the shock I had received seeing his handsome visage, I found him say words in a silent lip-movement which I never thought I might see them come out of those vermillion tainted lips.

"Thank you, my dearest friend!"

To be continued…


Au: It would seem that Unified Pictures has decided to work on a new project called Vampire Hunter D: Resurrection Series. So excited about the whole project and it seems that they have done pretty fine till now too. For more information visit their original website:

Have fun.

Vampire Hunter D belongs to Hideyuki Kikuchi

Roxana belongs to Me ^_^