"Miss Psycho said that to you?"
Quietly I nodded my head, as my eyes remained fixated on the Latin English dictionary lying idly on my oak desk.
"Seriously!" the high pitched voice repeated for the fifth time. And for the fifth time, I nodded my head.
"Will you look at me when I'm talking to you? Fuck! How rude!" without a moment's pause I helplessly watched as the Latin words disappear behind a thick blood red leather cover? Collected, my azure eyes climbed up the five claws to the hand that they belonged to before ascending an arm, a shoulder, a neck and finally ending at a pair midnight blue eyes. Eyes that were flashing angrily, and could make any man tremble in trepidation. Briefly my eyes made their way to the pair of pointed ears, but only for a moment before they fixated at their original target.
I knew all too well that I could've stopped Merle from slamming the Latin English dictionary close if I had tried. She was fast, but ill practiced and completely unaware of her full potential. Of course, that might have lead to a few painful scratches on my end. Like I had mentioned before, Merle had a temper that rivaled any beasts'. A temper, that I never had experienced first hand, but had seen enough to know that I would never want to be on the receiving end.
"Yes Merle, seriously," I replied, pretending that the previous incident had not happened.
"And you're checking out this old man smelling piece of crap why?"
As part of my lip twitched Merle's smirk broadened. She knew I was laughing quietly at her joke.
"Hitomi was speaking Latin when she had that promotion," I explained slowly as though I were speaking to a child.
Merle just snorted as she sauntered her way to my leather couch. Her tight black pleather pants making a noise as she nestled in my couches large cushions.
"You mean, Miss "I'm a whore who's brains are permanently lodged between my legs." Fuck me, fuck me now,"
I simply sighed as Merle proceeded to make moaning sounds that would've sent her brother to an early grave, had he heard what sounds his baby seventeen year old sister was making. Apart from me, Gaddes was the only one who knew about Merle's vulgarity. Being her boyfriend had been an eye opener to Merle's so called innocence. Then again it was difficult to remain innocent if anyone had been in the situation Merle had been in.
I simply guessed that her swearing vocabulary and cold bitchy exterior was the only way for her to protect what broken fragments remained after she had been rescued. I just let her unleash when she couldn't in front of her brother.
"I guess you know those sounds from practice," I remarked, before quickly dodging a black leather pillow.
"I'm a virgin, not naïve." Merle retorted hotly.
"Really, I would've thought that Gaddes would've…"
"He wouldn't dare. I would rip his balls off if he ever pressured me."
"Healthy relationship." I remarked.
"Oh shut up Celena. I wanted to bash two-timing slutbag, not discuss my sex life."
"There isn't anything to bash, she had a premonition that's all." Immediately I turned my back to Merle and began to resume my translation process.
"Yeah…premonition," I swear I saw Merle roll her eyes, "She could just be crazy."
"She's been right on too many accounts to be crazy." I stated simply.
"Celena…" Merle whined. Without raising my head I visualized her rising from the couch before crawling catlike on all fours. Again, a result of my training; I could visualize the target based on the sounds that they are making. With Merle it was difficult because she was very stealthy, but I still managed.
I was prepared as Merle wrapped her arms around my shoulders much like the annoying kid sister that she meant to me.
"You aren't being any fun."
"I'm trying to study, you're disturbing me."
"Celena," The edge had returned to Merle's voice. I swear, she was turning more catlike everyday. Even had mood swings like one.
I turned and faced her. "How can you like her after what she did to our brothers?"
I just shrugged, "Allen is too much of a man whore to care."
"Yeah, but Van isn't." Merle hissed, "Do you know many nights I had to deal with his moodiness,"
Kinda like how I have to deal with yours I replied to myself.
My eyes paralleled with the half breed in front of me. "What is this about Merle?"
Merle suddenly started squirming under my intense scrutiny.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're going exceptionally hard on Hitomi, today. More than usual."
I watched Merle fidget as she toyed with her black blouse for a few moments.
"Alright!" she yelled, "The D.C.E.C refused my application."
I merely blinked as I was unaware that Merle had applied.
"You applied?"
"Of course I applied!" she snapped, "After what they did, do you think I'm just going to lie down and take it."
I didn't say anything. I watched her continue as she tore at my rutty curtains with her talons. By the time she was finished with them, they resembled ghostly strips of grey fabric that they had once been.
Oh well, I never liked them anyways.
"And stupid Van had to get involved. He told them to refuse my application, I know he did. All because of that fucking bitch and her fucking premonitions."
That got my attention.
"Hitomi had a premonition about you?" I was amazed that I didn't cringe when Merle threw me the dirtiest glare I had seen on her yet.
With her running mascara and eyeliner and swollen red eyes, I thought she resembled a drowned cat. As much as part of me felt bad for her, another insane part wanted to laugh, not at her, but at the irony.
After all it was only four years ago when I had cried over the same thing to Merle. But back then she was just a spoiled kid who had dreams of being a dancer, and I was the broken sister of her older brother's partner (Allen and Van used to be the best of friends once upon a time). It was strange how a few horrible life experiences can change a person.
I almost felt bad for Merle because, unlike me, her experience was forever forged mentally and physically much like the hideous scar that marred Balgus' once rugged handsome face.
We all bore burdens, but it was hard for those who couldn't conceal them. Merle's piercing Siamese cat-like eyes, as beautiful as they were, would be a terrifying site for a civilian to see.
It was no wonder that we all stuck together. Broken people attempting to complete themselves by hoping to find that one fragment in another that would fit.
Of course it would never fit, but it would come close.
My lips formed a grim line as my attention resumed back on Merle. I knew that she wouldn't want to hear me blab about how Van was trying to protect her, that wasn't what I wanted to hear when I faced a similar situation.
Instead I brought up the one thing that I knew could cheer her up.
"You are dating a robot. I swear."
Merle looked up at me in surprise.
"I punched him the stomach and all I felt was steel. Fuck jerk almost broke my hand"
Merle started laughing and I couldn't help but join in.
"I quietly rose as I heard the sound of heavy footsteps enter my apartment.
I left the confinements of my blankets and was stripped in only a flimsy silk tank and black underwear. Any intruder would have brief second before they tasted their own blood.
I drew the pistol straight ahead of me as a rounded the corner and aimed it at the intruder that appeared familiar.
A millisecond later I uttered one name.
"Jajuka?"
Quickly turning on the light, I confirmed my suspicions. There soaked to the bone was the massive 7 feet mutant. Sighing I placed my gun down before I went to grab a towel from the pantry before handing it too him.
"Tea?"
His silent response was composed of a nod. While I prepared some tea I heard him as he made his way to my washroom, no doubt to shake him of whatever water he could. He always hated being wet.
I was filling the rest of his tea with cream by the time he made his way to my kitchen. I noticed that he had changed into a spare pair of XXL T-shirt and XXL pants that went up to his ankles.
"The cat was here." He stated more than question in his rich timber voice.
I was already used to the comment as he made it every time Merle visited. Naturally, he disliked the smell but was never in any position to complain. Whenever, Merle would visit he would leave for Allen's, or roam one of the alleyways behind my apartment till the guest left. My guess was that today it was the latter. It was Friday; no doubt, Allen would've found someone to warm his bed tonight.
As though reading my thought Jajuka commented, "Allen should be careful who he runts with."
I blushed at Jajuka's choice of wording, but he didn't seem to notice as he continued, "The girl he brought home is not clean. I smelt sickness in her."
"Good." I retorted, "Maybe his penis will fall off, that'll teach him from screwing around."
Jajuka gave me a disturbed look for a moment before coughing, signaling that he would disregard what I had just said, as it was too out of character for him.
He still saw me as someone who was fragile, worth protecting. Little did he know, I was capable of protecting myself.
Perhaps he did know, but chose to live with his delusions.
Who was I to stop him?
"She was pretty. Had blonde hair like you. I think she was the same age too. Was wearing a shirt that was too revealing. Her boots even worse?"
That caught my attention.
"Was she wearing a really short skirt?"
Jajuka seemed perplexed "How did you know?"
My face became deadpan as I realized just exactly who he had brought home tonight.
"Marlena…I think was her name. She's one of the presidents of the D.C.E.C"
"Is it a good idea for Allen to runt with such a girl?"
I ignored him as I headed for bed. Gossiping about my brother's sex life with Merle was one thing, gossiping with Jajuka was plain awkward.
I didn't sleep until two hours later. All the while I wondered about how deep of a hole Allen wanted to dig himself in.
I say wanted because he couldn't have been so stupid to do the things he was doing.
"Poor Marlene…" I muttered as I wrestled with my conscience the entire night.
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I knew that he was inside me again. There was no explanation as to the invasion sensation that I felt in my mind. By the time I opened my eyes I was fully prepared for his blood red ones. They pierced into my soul as they had had done time and time again.
I had no idea where we were, only that we were in a wheat field and that the sky was so black that it could've been nighttime. Only that it wasn't night time, it was day and the sky was covered with passenger pigeons. They flew in a flock so massive that they covered the sky with their presence. Their shrill cries and beating of a ten thousand wings caused my heart to speed in tempo.
I had never been a fan of birds.
My vampire just laughed at my apprehension.
"What sick game are you playing at Albatou?" my voice sounded cold, even to myself.
He smiled as he moved ever so graceful by my side. I tensed as he brushed his ice cold hand across my bare shoulders.
"You weren't on duty tonight love." His voice sounded like sin and honey, but I wasn't easily swayed.
"I was busy." I replied through clenched teeth.
Even though I knew that this was just a dream, I was starting to get cold. I was also perturbed that I was wearing close to nothing.
Damn him I silently cursed.
"Entertaining."
If I was scared for Merle, I didn't let it show. As much as she would hate me, I too wanted to protect her from this life. If my vampire had ever found out about her, she would become leverage. I couldn't risk that.
Before I could comprehend, he had used his alarming speed to trap me in his vice grip. I couldn't help but let out a shiver as I felt his one arm slither across my stomach, while his other hand held back my head exposing my throat.
As much as I understood that this was a dream, old habits died hard.
I felt him inhale my scent before I heard him let out a hiss.
"That dog!" he spat. I badly wanted to read his expression, but I was still trapped in his vice grip. I did feel his grip tightened.
"He wants you, you know." Cold truth bit deeper than anything. As much as I tried to deny it, I knew that Albatou spoke the truth. "I smell his attraction for you."
Without another word he shoved me aside leaving my good balance skills to keep myself stable.
"Perhaps if you didn't dress so provocatively, he would have nothing to turn him on."
Albatou laughed then, a cold laugh that both boiled my blood with anger and made my hairs stand on end in fear.
He licked his lips then, so sensually that I felt wetness pool between my legs. I was a healthy nineteen year old after all. Furiously I bit my lip to suppress my urges, and divert my attention elsewhere. He must've noticed then, because his anger abated slightly.
Before I could take another breath he was in front of me. That sexy smirk that was accustom to his face made it's presence, as he raised a pale white thumb to rub against my lip where blood had escaped from a cut caused by my brutal biting.
Slowly he brought his thumb to his mouth and sucked on it.
Like a deer in a headlight, I watched as he crept closer to whisper in my ear.
"Maybe I should creep into his mind and give poor puppy some nightmares."
Like a cold cloth I snapped out of my stupor. All attraction ceased, and for that one brief moment in time I had clarity.
I shoved him away with as much strength as I could muster.
"Get out…" I hissed.
"It was you who invited me in, my love."
I wanted to deny it but there was no other explanation. I had a strong mind, years of pain had built a wall so thick it rivaled the Great Wall of China during it's prime. Even the most skilled of seers had difficulty cracking into it.
I was angry, angry at Albatou but angrier at myself. I felt raped, vulnerable, completely out of control and that terrified me.
"You must have troubling thoughts love. It was quite easy to break in."
I glared at him.
"Get out before I make you."
Despite my gaining strength, the bastard still had the gall to smirk. I watched as everything around me, including him faded into whiteness.
His whisper still haunted me.
"Till next midnight."
The next morning there were tears on my pillow.