Thanks for all your fabulous reviews! Though I didn't get as many as expected, but that's what new chapter's are for anyway.
I'm so glad you've all found chapter two pleasant.
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"Do you have any specific place as to where you want me to put her?"
"Oh no, sir. Please set her down on the couch for now."
As the man set out to accomplish his given task, Namine took the time to study her new guest. The man, himself, seemed to be in his late thirties. Despite his age, his lean body remained healthy and fit. His ensemble consisted of a crimson scarf along with a chestnut-colored tunic, black britches, and brown boots.
His skin was slightly tanned and his hair was almost as pale as her own. Though the most fascinating feature about this stranger, was his intense amber orbs. Namine had never seen such unique eyes before.
Another interesting detail about him, was the large, threatening crossbow strapped to his back.
"Are you alright, miss?"
Namine bowed politely, reddening from be caught ogling him.
"I'm fine. Just spaced out." The bleached blond teen signaled towards the kitchen area. "Would you like to stay for dinner, sir? It's the least we could do after bringing Selphie home."
"Yes. That would be lovely."
They both migrated to the kitchen where Kairi was preparing their mother's Traverse tea. Namine gestured for the gentleman to have a seat while she rushed around the cookery, assembling their dinner together.
Fifteen minutes lapsed by speedily, when supper was laid out. The twins took their seats opposite from the elder man, aspiring to maybe entice some information out of him.
They didn't hurry though.
Once the meal was done, Namine and Kairi removed the dishes from the tabletop, washed and dried them, and sat down again.
"So what happened out there, sir?"
"Please, call me Ansem. I was never one for formalities."
Namine pondered the man's name. For some reason, it sounded vaguely familiar. As Namine puzzled over Ansem's name, Kairi decided to stir up more conversation between herself and Ansem.
"Nice to meet you, Ansem. I'm Kairi Yamata and this..." She pointed to Namine who was still musing over why 'Ansem' appeared so important. "Is my twin, Namine."
Ansem took both of their delicate hands in his and inspected their features, his eyes twinkling mysteriously.
"A pleasure to make both of your acquiescences. I suppose I should start explaining why I came to be here and how I saved your friend."
He cleared his throat.
"I am a scholar and scientist. I've traveled far and wide spreading my knowledge throughout the land. But my studies are continuously eschewed and believed to be complete and utter garbage to people."
Suddenly, Namine put two and two together. She raised up out of her chair, startling Kairi. She directed an accusing finger at Ansem.
"You're Ansem the Wise, aren't you? You're the one everybody ridicules for his obscene experiments and theories that the dead walk among the living."
"That would be I."
He answered, not a trace of shame or regret evident in his voice. Kairi glanced back and forth betwixt her sister and Ansem.
"Leave. We don't need your crazy ideas poisoning our minds."
Ansem only chuckled at the girl's irrational behavior.
"Are you quite finish, Namine? I would like to finish my story."
Namine unwillingly acquiesced, huffing indignantly as she slumped back into her chair.
"Now where was I...Oh yes. As I was saying, my studies take me anywhere and everywhere. I just happened to be walking through the woods when you're friend was attacked by a vampire."
Kairi plunged into a giggle fit at the straightforward statement. Vampires? What a laugh! No wonder people jeered this fool.
"Vampires? Please! Those are just myths; horrors stories to tell around a campfire."
Ansem merely banished Kairi's impetuous outburst.
"Kairi. Namine. Please listen to him. He's telling you the truth."
Kairi and Namine nimbly inclined their heads in the direction of the exclamation. There, propping herself against the door frame, stood Selphie, scraping the sands of sleep from her eyes.
"Selphie, go lay down. You shouldn't be up after what you experienced." Selphie dismissed the request as she advanced onward, sliding casually next to Ansem.
"No, guys. I need to be here. No more denying it."
The brunette faced her hero and grinned widely in appreciation.
"I never did properly thank you for saving my life from Seifer."
Ansem smiled back.
"It's alright, my dear."
"Woah, woah, woah! Back up. You killed Seifer?"
Everyone gawked at the freaked out Namine. Her eyes were wide in shock and doleful. How could Seifer be one of those-those things? He was one of her best friends.
"Please, Namine. Try to understand...He tried to kill me today. He's in a better place now too. No more blood lust!"
Namine beamed at Selphie. Her friend's buoyant personality always made her feel better during hard times. Even though, Seifer was gone now, our blond beauty really did picture him in a better place.
Guardian Angel Seifer on the job!
She mentally giggled at her conscious' image, but finally decided to get deadpan.
"But..." Namine crossed her arms over her chest and paced the room. "That would explain why Seifer has been wearing that trench coat. I mean it's perfect for vamps to strode around during the day."
"Hmm...Just as I suspected. Well, I came here based off a rumor I heard in Loire about mysterious cloaked figures hanging out here and the disappearance occurrences."
All three girl lowered their heads. The disappearances...Something the whole town of Kirikins wanted to pass, but sadly only seemed to grow worse.
"Now tell me...Have any of you experienced weird encounters over the past week?"
Selphie and Kairi didn't, but Namine did.
"I remember something bizarre that happened about four days ago. I was out in the meadow over by the orphanage, drawing. It had began to grow dark, so I was on my way home when..."
Namine walked the long, abandoned streets of Kirikins, tired from all drawing and playing she did that day. Upon passing an alley, the small blond heard the sound of ragged breathing.
Curiosity overwhelming her, Namine walked deeper into the tiny space. Gasping, she kneeled down next to a black cloaked figure. The way the person was breathing, she could tell that the figure was either in serious pain or was running from something. Either way, she had to make sure the person was okay.
"Are you alright?"
She saw the outline of the body stiffen in the moonlight at her words. She didn't know if he turned his head in her direction or not since it was nightfall, marring her vision.
"Yes. Just hungry."
The voice was definitely male and Namine guessed by the tempo of the voice, the man in front of her was probably her age or maybe a year older.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that you're okay. If you'll excuse me," Said the blond as she stood and dusted off her clothes. "I have to be getting home. Good night!"
She was just about to walk off when she jerked backwards. Namine tried to scream as she was mercilessly dragged back into the shadows, but was silenced by captor's leather-cladded hand. Taking extra precaution with his prey, the man wrapped an arm securely around her slim waist.
Namine desperately tried to pry his fingers from her face, but his grip was like iron as was the arm around her.
"I've been watching you for some time now, Namine."
She hardened as his warm eupnea caressed her ear, his arm clutching tighter at her wait.
"I've watched you, your sister, and friend play around in the yard in front of your house. I've watched you sleep. I've seen you express your passion on paper. I seen it all."
Namine shivered as his head began to sink lower and lower down her neck.
"I want taste you. To have you for my own."
Just as he reached the juncture between neck and shoulder, the sound of, at least, ten men echoed off the walls surrounding them. Namine could hear her stalker curse audibly under his hood. She could slowly feel him releasing her as if he didn't want her to leave.
Too bad she did though.
Namine bolted as soon as his hold had loosened. Running out into the street, she collided with Seifer who was still wearing his traditional white, opened trench coat at the time. The frightened girl began to cry as Seifer picked her up bridal style and carried her home, trying to mollify her frantic rambling.
Seifer walked away unaware of a pair of cobalt-colored eyes glaring murderously after him.
"So that's what happened. It's really creepy too. All the disappearances started after that night. First, Seifer had gone missing then some kids. Seifer, not the children, returned later on that day wearing that freaky outfit."
Namine placed her throbbing head on the table, trying to make the horrific confrontation vanish from her mind. Selphie and Kairi both placed a tender hand on each shoulder. They looked at Ansem, hoping he could possibly shed some light on the situation.
"Ah, I see. They must have taken Seifer, turned him into one of their own, and had him as reconnaissance in town, watching out for any potential threat or prey to feast on."
Selphie gulped, shaking slightly. Just a few hours ago, she would have been his dinner.
"But you said you were stopped earlier that night by another man...Do you know if he had any type of Roman numeral on his coat?"
Namine nodded.
"Yeah, he had one. I saw it when I was leaving. A number 13. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Organization XIII."
Selphie quirked an eyebrow.
"You know them?"
"In a way...I've read about them before and dedicated myself to finding out more on this gang. All the books stated the same thing though. Organization XII, a group of pure bred bloodsuckers, wanting total domination over the realm of light."
Namine's vision grew hazy. So that boy she met earlier this week was a bloodsucker? She rubbed her neck unconsciously, realizing how close she came to getting kidnapped. Or even worse...Dead.
"But if this legion of vampires truly does exist, how could we defend ourselves?"
"I could train you all to be elite slayers like myself to protect yourself for now. Then we analyze the situation at hand and plan a course of action. It is are our duty to ensure the safety of the human race."
"Right!" The girls yelled in unison, pumping their fists into air.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice from the hallway called out.
"Namine! Kairi! Selphie! Keep it down, will ya! I'm trying to sleep over here!"
"Sorry, mom!" Yelled Kairi.
"So..." Selphie piped in, gaining the attention of comrades. "When are we going to have desert?"
Laughing a her friend's innocence, Namine went to the fridge and produced Selphie's favorite treat: Apple cobbler.
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Goodness. Writing all this makes me want to lay in bed with a nice, chilly Italian Ice. Lemon flavored, of course! ;D
Sorry, if it seems dull, but this chapter is critical to the plot. From here on out, I promise the story will get better. Besides, Roxas was in here!
Hope to get lots of reviews!
Stay tuned!