My
Little Pronounciation Guide to Names:
Lazarus - laz er us
Shera - share a
I will add a new name whenever a new OC is introduced. LOL I love my names! I shall bring in another Host Club member soon! Watch out! Also, have patience with Haruhi. Everything has a reason. ZOMG! There's soo much dialogue in this chapter! O.o I think this is also the first time Kyouya has reffered to Haruhi as 'Haruhi' rather than 'my Princess'. XD Making some progress there! Don't worry! Tamaki is still here as well! I promise!
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Haruhi backed away with widened eyes from the oddly gleeful vampire. She couldn't believe her emotions and was frantically warring with them. Her irrational comfort around Lazarus would not go away while another part of her brain realized the new found dangers of his statement. She drew her dagger and held it at arms length. Her arm told her not to do this. That Lazarus was friend not foe, but her will won out. She tossed a glance toward Kyouya and registered the hard look on his face.
Kyouya was disgusted. His Princess had been blindfolded by Lazarus's calm and friendly exterior, and he had let her. Kyouya silently cursed himself. Why didn't I throw her over my shoulder and be done with it?! He too felt Lazarus's comfortable atmosphere around him but had been fighting it so long that it hardly registered now. In his mind, the feelings of comfort identified him as clearly being dangerous already.
Lazarus raised his arm in a cockeyed salute. "I shall guard you as well, Warrior Princess!"
"I already have a bodyguard," she stated flatly.
An approving chuckle escaped Kyouya's lips. Pride in her words blossomed inside him. A ghost of a frown flitted across Lazarus's face but was soon replaced by the customary smile.
"I fear you do not understand," he said while feigning a very thoughtful expression. It was clear he enjoyed this much practiced role. "How should I put it? Ah, yes! My family. . ." He gestured around him. "We're hungry."
Kyouya spoke with narrowed eyes. "You mean to eat us? A very poor form of protection."
"On the contrary," he replied. "We'll gladly protect you! It is not practicable to eat and kill humans. We offer protection, comfort,a dn food for a very small amount of your blood. Be grateful it was our coven that found you. Others prefer to satiate themselves without thought or cause."
Haruhi's neck began to itch. "What makes you think we're so helpless as to submit to this without a fight?"
A gust of wind blew past her and made her pause. She was poised and ready for an attack, but what came surprised her more than any attack could.
"I had hoped charm would bridge the gap between us," Lazarus whispered in her ear from behind. She jerked back in shock. He smiled. "Really? What kind of fight could you put up?"
Haruhi forced her racing heart to stop it's frantic jumping. She had to be ready the next time. Her dagger came up in defense once more.
"Don't be so rash," chuckled Lazarus. "I only-"
Haruhi couldn't be anymore happy than when she saw the shimmering blade of Kyouya's knife slide around Lazarus's neck. Kyouya cracked a shrewd smile.
"Payback?" chuckled Lazarus.
"Of course," replied Kyouya with more pleasure than necessary.
"Shera," laughed Lazarus. "I believe our visitor needs to meet you."
Kyouya looked around frantically. Seeing no one, he became anxious. "Who are you talking to?!" Lazarus smiled. "Stop smiling and answer my question!" Kyouya pressed the blade into Lazarus's neck intending to draw a drop of blood to prove his point. His blade rattled and quaked making a horrible high pitched sound. Kyouya's blade bounced back as he released the pressure to cover his ears. He fell back on the leaf strewn ground with wide eyes and clutched his hand.
"I really wish you hadn't done that," frowned Lazarus half in concentration and half in surprise as he pinched the skin together. "Wanna kiss it better?" He winked at Haruhi.
"No thank you," Haruhi sniffed.
Lazarus shrugged. "Ah,well. I'm sure we'll hit it off sooner or later. We've got all eternity!"
In spite of herself, Haruhi could feel a smile tugging up her lips.
"See?" He winked pleased at her reaction. "I'm sure being here with me would be better than being with that humorless fool." He rolled his eyes. "He can't even laugh I'd bet!"
"I do laugh!" Kyouya lashed out in defense. He hated the way Haruhi was joining in the joking with ease. "I have a sense of humor," he grunted mostly to himself.
Lazarus looked up quickly. His whole body tensed with anticipation before relaxing once more. "Ah. Shera."
"Where," asked Kyouya as he looked around the small clearing half expecting to see another fit and able vampire willing to steal his blood.
"A few miles away." His brows drew together in a frown. "Two, I believe. Give her five minutes, and she'll be here."
Kyouya snorted. The vampires were fast but surely not that fast. He hated the way their speed made the Elves' impressive reflexes and speed seem inferior.
Out of nowhere a body fell from the sky and landed on two feet creating a small dent in the hard packed earth. She whipped her head around making her slightly curled red hair dance around her cloudy green eyes. She stood from her bent position stretching her body to its full height. She wore a dark skirt that was split to her thigh and a similarly dark corset type shirt.
"Good day, Shera," Lazarus smiled.
Shera walked over to him. Her slippered feet not slipping once on the leaves. With a bright smile, she hugged him. After laughing and patting each other's backs, they parted with friendly words and smiles. Shera's eyes fell on Haruhi.
"You've brought food?" She walked to Haruhi with a bright smile but stopped suddenly when she was near. "You smell different. . . Good." The cloud in her eyes thickened, and a growl escaped her throat.
"Shera," Lazarus warned. "That one is mine."
She put a hand in front of her mouth and cast her eyes downward as if embarassed. "Sorry. They just smell so good." She took a shaky breath and turned to Kyouya.
Her eyes went wide, and she paused. Not a muscle twitched or even moved for a moment. Kyouya wanted to fidget. He began to wander if something was on his face or if she just wanted to attack him right then and there. He grabbed his dagger in case of the latter. Before he could barely register the fact, he was being squeezed by unbearably strong arms. He gasped, and Shera released him with another embarassed smile.
"Sorry," she said again.
Lazarus laughed. "Don't kill him, Sweetie."
Shera stuck out her tongue. "You're just jealous!"
Lazarus blinked with a baffled expression. "Goodness! Jealous of what?"
Shera clasped her hands and tilted her head as if in a dreamlike state and sighed. "Only the fact that I've found my true love!"
She immediately hugged Kyouya once more and tucked her head in the crook of his neck. Kyouya felt her lick his neck and shuddered. She was going way begond his personal contact boundaries.
"Um. . . Can you back up a second," he asked.
Shera rolled against his chest till she had a very good vantage point from which to gaze at his eyes.
"You smell sooo good," she purred and licked her lips as her eyes momentarily clouded over.
Kyouya couldn't help wanting away from the oppressive woman, but then a plan accurred to him. Why not make Haruhi jealous? The cliche has worked before. He allowed an adoring expression to slide across his face despite the still present need to push Shera away. He leaned down and planted a light kiss on her forehead.
Lazarus began to whistle and wink at him while Haruhi's gaze stayed carefully bland. She wasn't sure what she thought about Kyouya's newfound lover. Perhaps he really does like her. . .
A snicker came from Lazarus. Kyouya followed his gaze to see Shera's eyes almost completely white, and her body stiff.
"S- Shera?" He blinked unsure at her.
"You," she growled dangerously as her eyes became entirely white. Kyouya stepped back fearfully.
"You dare to place you lips on a lady without her permission!"
Kyouya stumbled farther back until he tripped on his own feet and fell on his back. Shera cracked her knuckles, and her white eyes took on a tinge of dark red.
"I'll teach you better!"
She ran at him. He had seen Lazarus run at that speed, so his eyes expected it and tracked her. Her clenched fist came toward him until he was sure his death was coming. Her red curls flew around her face, and her white eyes were wide. Her lips parted in such a cry of fury that Kyouya was scared. He was more than scared. He was terrified. Based upon her previous actions, none of this should be happening. He covered his ears and rolled over. A shiver ran through the earth around him when her fist hit the place where his head used to be.
"Shera, we shouldn't play with our food," Lazarus's voice soothed gently.
Kyouya and Haruhi felt a strong wave of comfort and calm come over them. Their breathing slowed and became even. Kyouya looked up at Shera. The color was returning to her eyes, and a tear fell from her face.
She grabbed Kyouya's tunic in her fists and buried her face in his chest.
"I'm sorry!" she cried. "I shouldn't get angry! I love you!"
Haruhi's eyes were large. "What just happened here," she asked bewildered.
Lazarus chuckled. "Just a side effect. When changed, special qualities stand out. " Haruhi looked at him questioningly. "You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when I'm around you," he asked teasingly.
"I wouldn't call it that," allotted Haruhi.
Lazarus laughed. "Ok. Well, when I was human so many years ago, I was head of my family."
"Not so surprising," Haruhi commented after looking him up and down. He looked to be at least 200 in Elven years if the aging process hadn't yet stopped. Seh wasn't sure about humans. but that was a probable age to start a family.
He chuckled. "Hear me out. I was 26 when I was bitten, but I'm not there yet. I was the head of my family when I was 13."
Haruhi's eyes widened. "You weren't but a child!"
"Yeah," Lazarus's eyes softened with the memory. "My father left for the war that year. We were at war with Syrda, our neighboring country. News reached us after another year that we were winning. My mother was overjoyed. She had alway been thrifty with money, but that night she treated me and my six brothers to everything and anything. I knew it was bad, but she was so happy that I couldn't tell her no. It was a custom that every surviving soldier would bring home his share of the spoils. The key word in there is surviving. We all worked until the next year and life proceeded as usual, but the town crier came again accompanied by a small troop of soldiers. The war had ended in victory, but our father did not come home. My mother was distraught. My brothers acted cheerfull, but I could seee the void behind their twinkling eyes. I hated my family torn this way, so I made myself the scapegoat. Whatever solace was needed, I provided it. When Erin's warlike rebellion came out, I was the one he pounded on until he cried. When my mother's grief threatened to overtake her, I joked around and gave her someone to vent on."
His eyes took on a sad appearance. "Eventually, the grief died away. . . along with my family. A disease came. It was from the people of Syrda and native to their mountains. Our doctors declared it contagious, so when my family was discovered with the disease, my youngest brother, Simon, and I were dragged from our house and made to watch it burn to the ground. I remember his face. He had been too young to remember our father, so his actions had never been show, but he knew our mother and us brother's had been almost like a collective father. Tears streaked on his dirty face as he screamed and struggled to run into the fire. I held him back. I whispered words to him and cried with him. He was my only family after that."
"As with all grieving young people, we grew up, and our grief lessened as it was doused with newer memories, happy and sad. We never completely trusted people and chose to stick with each other. When I was 20, a man approached me with a compassionate smile and warm food. I did not trust him at first, but after a few years, I grew to understand him. He became my confident for I could not tell Simon all of my worries. I was still the scapegoat.
"My confident, Ergo, eventually extended an invitation to his farm. He offered us a home. I took it. We were happy, and I began to master his way of life. Hew wife and him adopted us as their childrew. We never forced a hardship on them until Simon's 16th birthday.
"The disaster struck quickly. Sometimes I think that we had grown safe and could've made it out if we were still 'street smart', but then I test myself and know that if couldn't have been. After the party, I went and sat on teh pier stretching into the pond. I can still feel the water on my bare toes."
He sighed. "Then the fangs sank into my neck. A cold fear swept through me paralyzing me. I now know it as my own venom. That cold. . . Then I heard a hollow clang. I was dropped. Simon had hit the vampire with a shovel. I tried ot tell him to run, but my body wouldn't respond. The mand leaped for Simon and in his haste, kicked me into the pond.
"I drowned. The cold black death crept into my body. I couldn't swim or even close my mouth which I had opened in astonishment. I hit he bottown and knew that the pain of death would and could drive me mad. I lay there in agony knowing that I was being denied an exit from life. Then I felt the . . . changes. My lungs didn't burn. I could move my arms. I felt empty and . . . cool.
"The despair I felt was awful when I reached the surface and found my family, adopted and related, dead. I cried. I swore never to bring anyone the grief I had been dealt. I did everything. I ate normally. I drank animal blood. None satisfied me. Once the need for sustenance overtook me, and I broke my oath. The village. . . " A shiver ran through him.
"My bite to humans was poison, but I finally found something. I could control the poison! I began to not use my fangs. A simple cut with a knife, and I could have a meal and not be an enemy. Soon after, I discovered Shera. She invited me to join her coven.
"And here I am today." He smiled tentavely at her. "My skill as a comforter was passed on to me in my new body."
Haruhi's eyes were filled with tears. "If you bit me. . ."
"You would lose the use of that part of your body. The paralysis effect wears off but leaves damage in the most concentrated area. A bite in the neck would be fatal as that is a very crucial part of the human body. You may live for a time, but only until the paralysis wears off. There is a slight chance of change as well."
"Why do you change," she asked.
Lazarus shrugged. "From what I've seen, it's a combination of venom and death." He scratched his head. "Maybe and example? If I bit you now, I would have to inject venom into you and drink without killing you. That would just leave you partially paralyzed. To become a vampire, I would have to kill you after that. This is difficult for two reasons: Our own venom mixed with your blood makes you irresistable, and we are so strong. A quick death would prevent the venom from traveling fully through you."
A silence filled the clearing after his explanation until a squalling Shera leaped toward Lazarus and captured him in a backbreaking hug.
"I'm so sorry, Lazarus," she gushed in tears. "I'm sorry! Your family. . . your village. . . the farmer. . . I wish you hadn't lost them!"
Lazarus patted her back and tried to calm her down.
Haruhi arched her eyebrows. "What about her? Another heartbreaker?"
Lazarus laughed. "Not really, but that's just compared to mine, I suppose."
"Any powers," broke in Kyouya. He grimaced. "Don't suppose it's strength." He rubbed his neck.
Lazarus chuckled. "For once, you're partly right!"
Kyouya's features darkened. "What do you mean by 'for once'?"
Lazarus pretended as if he hadn't heard Kyouya at all and continued. "Shera was always an emotional wreck in her human life. Always going overboard. . ."
Kyouya rolled his eyes. "So nothing has changed."
"So that part of her person was made into her own very unique power. I have never seen another wiht this power," Lazarus explained once again ignoring Kyouya. "She enhances those around her. It is quite useful and. . . not at the same time. In fights, it strengthens allies and enemies alike. She hasn't gotten the control thing down yet."
"Stop ignoring me," Kyouya said firmly. "I have a valid opinion too."
"Well, what is it," asked Lazarus innocently. Kyouya let out a low growl.
"Stop it!" snapped Shera with tears still streaming down her cheeks. She hugged Lazarus tighter before letting go and turning to Kyouya with pleading eyes. "Don't you see his pain and anguish?!"
"Uh. . . well-" Kyouya began.
"What am I saying?!" Shera promptly rapped herself on the head. "Of course you understand! After all, you're the most distinguished, handsome, strong, brave, romantic, caring, and wonderful man in all the world!" She looked up at him with adoring eyes.
Kyouya's eyes went wide. He had never considered that his obvious character traits and charms would bring such a gorgeous vampiress to her knees, especially one this whacked. "Uh. . . thanks," he replied. Soon after, he heard a snicker behind his back.
Haruhi sidled up to him wiht a sly grin and elbowed him in the ribs. "I never knew you were brave, romantic, caring, wonderful, and strong. Last time I checked, you were still piggybacking up hills." Her eyes lit up in mock surprise. "Why don't we armwrestle?! I want to test your new strength!" She broke down in laughter.
"So, I suppose you noticed I was distinguished and handsome," he growled back.
Haruhi opened her mouth to deliver a witty comeback but was beat by Shera.
"Of course she noticed," she replied with a vengeful glare at Haruhi. "She just wants you all to herself!" She turned to Haruhi. "But he's mine!"
Lazarus chuckled but then abrubtly stopped. He put a finger to his lips and intently watched the bushes. Suddenly, a large golden being leaped from the bushes to Haruhi's side.
"My Princess! I'll protect you," exclaimed Tamaki as he took up a defensive position in front of her.
Haruhi patted Tamaki on the head. "It's all right. What have you got there," she inquired.
Tamaki looked around the clearing briefly before turning to face Haruhi with his tail flying and ears perked. He presented her with his cupped hands. Haruhi accepted the gift graciously without peeking.
"I braved the depths of the forest and ravaging beasts to bring you this luscious pearl of luminescence to you, my Princess!" Tamaki danced around illustrating his daring adventure for the group. "Look at it," he begged when his truly wondrous tale was finished.
Haruhi opened her hands to see a winking firefly cupped in her hands. It crawled up her fingers tickling her. She laughed, and the shining bug flew away. The group watched it fly away into the sky together.
"Well," said Lazarus breaking the silence, "we should probably take you to the Boss." He wrinkled his nose at Tamaki. "Except this one. He smells of dog. Werewolf I'd guess."
Kyouya empathized with Lazarus and was comforted that they'd always agree on one thing at least.
"Wait a second," said Kyouya shaking his head. "Aren't you the boss?"
Lazarus laughed and threw an arm over Kyouya's shoulder. "I like you, kid! I could never make the decisions he makes! Too much careful thinking and planning. Joy is a better side of life."
Shera squeezed between the two and linked arms with Kyouya. "Let's go. . . together." She promptly began tugging him toward the depths of the cave.
He turned and looked at Haruhi for something most people would call approval, but he liked to term it indulgence. She nodded at him.
Haruhi watched them go and smiled briefly. Even Kyouya's rarely used common sense seemed to deem the two vampires with their very non-present 'Boss' too much for them which she heartily believed. If this vampire was anywhere near as strong as his companions put on, they would stand no chance should he choose to give chase to the fleeing Elves and werewolf. She suddenly noticed Lazarus's offered hand. She looked into his sparkling eyes and reached to him, but her hand was intercepted by a jealous Tamaki. She would've been blind not to catch his bared teeth.
"I'll take her," he growled at the vampire with distrust obvious in his eyes.
Lazarus chuckled and waved them forward. The group walked into the cave until only a pinpoint of light could be seen. Water dripping and unknown creatures could be heard scuttling aound the columns of stone jutting up from the cave floor. When the light disappeared, Shera guided them threw an archway. After that, an orange glow could be seen on the walls. It illuminated the numerous colored scratches carved in the rock. They turned a bend, and the tunnel widened into a large cavern. Glowing emeralds and rubies lit the cavern walls and ceiling giving them the only sense of depth in this darkness. Shera stopped at the end of the tunnel. A circle of orange warmth could be made out in what Haruhi assumed was the center of the cavern. Blackness consumed the path to the spot of light after going beyond the last and only set of twin torches' fading light. Lazarus stepped up to the front of the group.
"Boss," he yelled into the darkness. Haruhi got the feeling that it was mostly just to hear his voice echo off the walls. "We're coming across!"
Shera covered her ears and pouted. "He can hear you from here," she hissed.
Lazarus just shrugged and led on. Shera and Kyouya drifted to the rear of the procession. A lapping noise began to grow louder as they advanced.
"What is that," whispered Haruhi. She did not want to disturb the large expanse of silence by speaking louder.
Tamaki sniffed. "It smells clean. Like water."
"It is," replied Lazarus. "The light in the middle is the Boss's island. It's surrounded by a large underground lake. Here's the bridge."
"How did you know," asked Tamaki. His hostility turning into curiousity.
"Can't you see it," asked Shera equally curious.
"Of course," answered Tamaki. "I've just never met anyone other than a werewolf that could see in the dark that well."
Shera placed a finger to her cheek in thought. "All the vampires I've met could see in the dark. At least, good enough to find the bridge, even the Boss. He just like the human comforts like fire." She turned to Kyouya. "Can you see it?"
Kyouya's eyes widened ot take in more light. "I can see the outline. Where I come from, it was never this dark or the forest this crowded."
Shera's eyes lit up. "What do you mean?"
"Trees were much more massive with trucks that could easily be ten feet around with ferns, grasses, and moss as underbrush. Since trees were so spaced because of size, moonlight and sunlight could always find its way to the forest floor," he explained.
"Our forest is not like that at all," replied Shera while thinking of the much smaller trees and wiry underbrush.
Haruhi tuned out of the conversation and stared ahead focusing on Lazarus's back. She jumped when she heard the slight creak under her boot. Lazarus turned and smiled when he felt her jump. She could make out his pale skin and shining teeth in the darkness, She narrowed her eyes in defense, and he resumed his leading. She made a point to step lightly and silently over the boards. It was a sturdy bridge rising above the crested water about a foot. She had expected a swaying rope bridge but was glad it was made of sturdy hardwoods for that was wood that an Elf would trust.
Eventually, they reached the end of the bridge and set foot on a rock strewn beach. A path outlined in jeweled stones that cast a light blue green glow over previous footprints stretched upward to the top of a hill. Lazarus strode forward confidently. The orange glow was hidden from view as they climbed the hill's edge.
When they came to the top, Haruhi was amazed by what she saw. A great fire burned at the far edge of the flat tip about ten feet away. Flames leapt high into the air presenting a comfortable atmosphere and highlighting the back of who she assumed was the boss. He was well over her height with a strike of black hair that was mussed into untidy spikes. He wore a black coat with white ruffles that peeked out of his sleeves and dark pants that had long since lost their color tucked into high leather boots that folded over.
"Hey, Boss," grinned Lazarus with a cocky salute. "Done with thinking? We brought dinner."
The man turned, and Haruhi's eyes became large. His eyes were almost completely white and wild. She believed that this man could definitely threaten her Mission and existance.
"Such unusual specimens," he commented with a sniff. "They smell of wood."
Lazarus scratched his head. "Ah, well. . . I rather noticed, but I'm sure they will taste fine."
The dark man walked forward. The soft leather making a shushing sound on the hard packed earth. He bent and looked into Haruhi's eyes. With him so close, she could make out an underlying tone of brown in his eyes. They searched her own flitting back and forth at near impossible speeds. He reached out and ran his hand through her hair until he found her ear. He fingered the pointed tip for a moment.
"You are not human," he said as much to her as to everyone else. "Elf?"
Her eyes were hard refusing to answer.
"Lazarus," he breathed.
She felt herself relax, and her barriers were destroyed completely. "Yes," she answered.
He smiled at her. It was a sweet brotherly smile. "Force is not a good thing to use," he noted showing a bit of virtue and kindness.
Kyouya and Tamaki protectively stepped up to flank Haruhi and lend support. The vampire straightened up and studied the defensive expressions of her companions.
"Sir, we do not intend to be eaten," Kyouya said with a glare. "I will not have. . . Haruhi dead! Or the dog."
Tamaki suddenly leaped to Kyouya with his tail flying. Kyouya backed up so that Tamaki missed and fell flat on his face in a puff of dust. He lay still for so long that Haruhi had begun to worry that he had knocked himself unconcious in his excitement. It was at that time that he leaped up and sat tail swishing in front of Kyouya.
With adoring eyes, he proclaimed, "Oh! You do care!" He leaned closer. "You can be my best friend!"
"Uh. . . no," answered Kyouya uncertainly.
Tamaki drew back sullenly and teared up before hugging Haruhi. "Haruhi, you'll be my friend, right?" he more wailed than asked.
"Of course," replied Haruhi with a glare at Kyouya while stroking Tamaki's fuzzy golden ears.
All of a sudden, the Boss laughed a small but hearfelt laugh. The group turned to stare at the chuckling vampire in shock. When he regained his composure, the Boss sat down on a large rug placed in front of the fire.
"Sit," he commanded beckoning to the three travelers. "Give me a moment," he asked as much as said to Lazarus.
Lazarus's brows knitted together in a frown. He walked up to the dark vampire and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Need anything, Boss," he asked frowning. "If you ever need anything. . ."
"I'm fine," he smiled as if at a brother. Lazarus nodded after a moment and left.
The firelit vampire sat on the rug without saying a word and stared into the travelers' faces. Kyouya took this forceful gaze as some sort of contest and refused to look away from the vampire. Lazarus and Shera together were quite a force, but he had a feeling that if they had been joined by this man there would have been a massacre. He glanced at Haruhi. She looked completely relaxed. Surely Lazarus cannot reach this far, he thought uneasily.
Haruhi did truly feel calm and collected except for that part in the back of her mind that told her she was apparently delicious smelling food to these creatures. She watched the vampire's eyes. He never blinked which was terribly odd, in her opinion, because men are supposed to blink much more than women.
While the other two travelers were entranced by the vampire lord, Tamaki was, frankly, getting quite bored. He begun to scratch his head and behind his ears till Kyouya was so sure there were fleas in the vicinity that he discreetly scooted over farther. Tamaki then discovered a centipede lazily crawling by. He played with it for awhile blocking it at every turn until he tired of his game. It wasn't long before his head lay in Haruhi's lap with her absently scratching and petting his golden mane.
"Well," asked Kyouya irritably.
"Yes," asked the vampire in return as he turned his head slowly to face Kyouya.
"Aren't you going to explain to us the situation? Or perhaps reveal a deep dark secret about us that you happen to know? If not, how about we just leave? Frankly,sir. . . "
Haruhi's eyes flashed. "Kyouya," she hissed silently cursing the fact he had been born wihtout basic self preservation instincts. It is not smart to be rude to your captor when he has several powerful and loyal guards about.
Kyouya began to bristle when the vampire held up his hand. He put a finger to Haruhi's lips and nodded at Kyouya. "Mori. Morinozuka."
Kyouya let a smile flit across his face and made sure Haruhi noticed. "Frankly, Sir Morinozuka, we do not relish or enjoy the thought of being eaten."
"I do not want to eat you," smiled Mori. "I have seen someone try that before. you are a very poisonous people, yes?" He smiled as if at a joke.
"Not unlike you," said Haruhi catching on. "Can you not resist the poison?"
"No," sighed Mori. "We are frozen in time, so we can't become resistant to anything. Especially magiced poison." He shivered. "It burns from the inside out."
Haruhi jumped at a particularly loud snore from Tamaki. She looked down at him. His fluffy golden hair was patted flat against his head by Haruhi's hands. She smiled down at him. Absently, she flicked his ear. It responded with a twitch of its own. She giggled.
"You like. . . dogs," asked Mori hesitantly.
"More like mutts," muttered Kyouya under his breath as he glared at the 'mutt' in her lap. Stupid dog is taking my place, he growled within. He looked at Haruhi's happy face. Why doesn't she smile like that with me?
"Apparently," smiled Haruhi while watching Tamaki's large yawn noting the prominent canines. She yawned after that and looked up with watering eyes and a sleepy smile.
Mori glanced back and forth at the three. "You'd best rest," he finally proclaimed. "You may stay on the rug. It is the best we have here."
"Have you no beds," she asked curiously.
He smiled and stood. "We don't need the sleep."
She frowned. The answer was too indirect for her likiing, but it was too late for clarification. He was already gone with the wind. "Kyouya," she ventured in a sleepy voice.
"Y- yes," he started. It was rare for her to ask him something in this way.
"Do you love Shera," she yawned with her eyes drooping.
"Hmph," he scoffed. "Such a silly question even for my Princess. Love is not like that," He blushed and turned his head away. He was not all that deep. He preferred to live on the surface of emotions where nothing was real enough to be hurt.
"Then. . . what is it. . . like?"
"Well-" He put a hand to his chin. Since this wasn't exactly a personal question, he put some serious though into it.
"I suppose. . . Love is a tool. A power over someone that can be used. . ." He looked at Haruhi.
She was sitting up with her eyes closed and breathing steady. Kyouya smiled, and he felt happy and . . . something else he couldn't quite place. "Stupid girl," he said gently and stroked her face.
He took the coat from her shoulders and eased her back until she was lying flat on her back. She tolled over towards the fire knocking Tamaki off into the floor where he merely curled tighter. Kyouya grabbed her waist and pulled her back to him.
"Sleep tight," he whispered into her ear before shutting his own eyes and promising himself to listen for his captors, but it was in vain. He was promptly asleep.
Tamaki whimpered at their feet. Refusing to open his eyes, he crawled up to Haruhi dragging the coat with him until he found an acceptable spot. He curled up against her opposite Kyouya.
"Good night. . ," he whispered softly.
--
Mori walked into the moonlit clearing outside the cave and blinked. The starlight was awfully bright compared to the darkness of the cave. Without fail as for the last 50 years of his vampiritic existance, his eyes adjusted in a mere instant. He spied Shera and Lazarus whispering in the clearing. They abruptly stopped when they felt his gaze.
"Boss," asked Lazarus hesitantly. "Are we hunting tonight?" His eyes glittered.
Mori knew what he wanted. Lazarus did not want to hunt for his meal. He's rather take a meal from the three inside. Mori looked toward the town. He heard a loud sigh from behind.
"Ahhh," Shera cried in disappointment. "I wanted to share blood with Kyouya!" She swirled gracefully with a giggle and licked her lips.
"Shera, you're so naughty," Lazarus teased.
She turned and snapped at him with a flirtatious smile showing her glistening fangs. "Like you weren't thinking the same thing."
He grinned. "A meal is always in demand around here. Gotta take it where we can get it." He held his stomach and groaned. "When are we leaving, Boss?"
Mori smiled at his family's easy bickering. "Now," he replied. He tossed a cocky grin to Lazarus.
"I'll beat you," warned Lazarus. "It's on!"
Mori shot off into the night feeling the leaves barely touch him as he weaved between the trees. He felt Shera's bonus power leave him as she took a different route. He slowed, and Lazarus shot in front of him with a determined grin. Mori jumped pushing off with his legs and propelled himself over the tree tops. He grabbed a tree and traced Lazarus's path with his eyes as the tree leaned back till it nearly touched the ground. It was then that it sprung up flinging him through the air as fast as a bullet or perhaps faster. He flew over Lazarus and landed on an upright pine that immediately crashed down to the forest floor. Mori held out his arms for balance and almost surfed down the tree till he was standing in front of an irritated Lazarus. Mori smiled mischieviously before taking off once more.
"Show off," muttered Lazarus loud enough for Mori to hear.
Mori pushed himself to his limits straining the life giving blood in his body trying to keep Lazarus at bay. He did not spare Lazarus a glance knowing he would be running easily and grinning all the more at Mori's effort.
The entire race lasted mere minutes, and the two boys burst into the clearing with Lazarus having an obvious lead. Mori and Lazarus both skidded to a stop leaving deep furrows plowed in their wake.
"Ah! The winner," cried Lazarus throwing his hands in the air and grandly pointing to himself.
Mori smiled looking beyond him. Lazarus turned to see Shera lounging on a porch railing lazily. She smiled like a little imp and jumped to the hard packed ground gracefully. He slippered feet didn't disturb a single grain of dust as she glided to Lazarus's side. She laid her head against his shoulder.
"You know," she said tracing a pattern on his chest with a smile. "You have too big an ego. Good thing I'm here to bring you down a peg." She leaned closer to whisper in his ear. A light blush covered his cheeks. "Loser."
He composed himself before crouching down and growling with a smile. Shera laughed and danced away.
"Mmmm," Mori moaned opening his mouth to the scent. He could feel its tantalizing aroma caress his throat and spark an animalistic urge in him. He felt a calm reassurance come over him. He tossed a smile toward Lazarus with a cocky salute.
"No problem, Boss," affirmed Lazarus with a cocky salute.
The trio set off down the street toward the local tavern. It would do no good to score the townsfolk away for then their food source would be gone. The tavern owner always locked up before dark and pitched the drunkards outside. That was where they went.
Five drunks were in the alley. Two lay on the far wall passed out while three more leaned against the stonework bottle in hand. Shera circled around the two passed out and examined them meticulously.
"Shera," moaned Lazarus. "Please tell me you're not doing that again."
She frowned and glanced at the other three drunks. "You can't tell which has drank the most nowadays." She leaned in and sniffed one's breath. "Boss! This one's had whiskey! Can I have him?"
Lazarus rolled his eyes. "You should pick the one that's least drunk. Beer and whiskey lower the nutritional value."
She stuck out her toungue. "You sound like my mother, Lazarus."
Mori turned to the two to inspect Shera's choice. He smiled. The man had been drinking whiskey and quite too much for Shera to handle. He listened to the heartbeats of the five finding the strongest. It was a man with top hat that had looked as if he had been thrown from a cart and robbed rather than just drunk. Mori kneeled beside him and looked at Lazarus.
"Got it covered, Boss," he huffed concentrating on using his skill to calm the bloodlust inside himself and the others.
Mori took the man's hand and cut a long thin slit with his fingernail. Blook welled, and Mori bowed his head and drank carefully keeping his fleshy fangs from descending. The man stirred. Mori looked up, and a single drop of blood ran down his chin. The man's eyes widened, and Mori could sense the overwhelming fear that even Lazarus couldn't control.
"Shera," whispered Mori.
She promptly tapped the man on the head. He immediately slumped downward into an almost dead sleep. "Fast and can put out the lights with a single finger," she grinned.
Mori smiled and bowed his head to drink once more. When he felt the blood course into his muscles, he stopped. Power filled him to the brim. The blood that he had burnt of in the race had now been replaced, though he was nowhere near full. He could drink much more but chose to settle for little. He pulled back and wrapped the man's hand in his coat.
"Me next," asked Lazarus with a smile.
"No, stupid," growled Shera. "Ladies first and losers last."
Mori motioned Shera over to a man holding a bottle to his lips. His eyes flickered open feverishly and landed on Shera.
"Well," He said taking another swig that was poured more on his shirt than in his mouth. "An angel has finally come to spirit me away. I be waitin' too long for ya to leave."
Shera's grin was flirtacious and menacing at once. Her eyes flashed a dark maroon, and she licked her lips. "I want this one," she purred.
She sat down in the man's lap. Lazarus placed a hand on her should. She waved him away and began to feed. Her clouded eyes swirled with all shades of red making Lazarus nervous. Mori watched his friend push himself to his limits to handle Shera's mood swings.
Eventually, she leaned away fromt he man who had long since passed out. Mori instantly regretted his choice for Shera. This man was far more drunk than he had appeared. He waved Lazarus away and bent to gather up Shera.
She giggled sheepishly and began to hiccup. "Mori," she said halfheartedly. "I'm sorry. I think I drunk a bit too much."
Her eyes closed, and when she reopened them, the cloudiness had almost vanished leaving bright red irises behind. Put me down," she sighed. "I can walk myself back."
Mori rolled his eyes and sat her on her own two feet. It was too dangerous to tangle with Shera in this state, and as long as she made no trouble for them, he would happily let her find her own way back home. Even as a drunk he was sure she could find her way back to the cave. He started. Back to the cave . . . where the travelers are. He turned to see Shera pounding out a tune that was only in her head. Suddenly, she threw her arms up in the air striking a superstar pose.
"I've got the power," she shouted at the top of her lungs and began to dance again.
Mori's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. She was going to wake up the townsfolk quicker than make her way back to the cave. He began to look around for Lazarus. He saw him walk around an alleyway with a very worried expression. Lazarus wiped a drop of blood from his chin and turned to Mori.
"We should go, right," he asked in a short clipped voice.
Mori nodded and swept Shera off her feet at which she began screaming words at the top of her lungs such as 'fiend', 'bloody vampire', and 'beast'. This, of course, did not improve Mori's mood and only served to make him more annoyed with her and even more so with himself for choosing that particular drunk for her. He silently vowed to inspect their meals more closely, but right now was not the time to fulfill that vow. The townsfolk may ignore a randomly shouted lyric, but they would certainly investigate the screams of a young girl.
Just as the lights began to come on in the houses, Mori and Lazarus raced into the woods carrying their troubling accomplice who had a low tolerance for spiked blood. When they were far enough away, Mori sat Shera on her own two legs. She was digruntled to say the least. Her bouncy red curls had turned into a frizzy mass, and her face was no longer playful and happy. It more resembled a large cat that had been prodded with a stick too many times.
"I'll have you know," said Shera shaking her finger at the offending Mori. "I can snap your neck in two, you beast!"
Mori rolled his eyes. A slap rang out in the woods.
Shera placed her hands on her hips. "That's right, young man! Don't you roll your eyes at me!" She then looked around her till she saw Lazarus and stopped. "Wow! You're a prime piece of manflesh, aren't you?"
Lazarus's face turned considerably red, and he shot a glance at Mori who was hiding his a very guilty face behind his hand. Lazarus gritted his teeth and turned back toward Shera. "Now, Shera," he said patiently.
She jumped at him and wrapped her arms around his neck in a bone crushing hug. "I always said you were wonderful and all things good!" She rubbed her head in the crook of his neck and whispered in his ear. "I love you. . . Kyouya."
Lazarus's eyes hardened, and he hurriedly pushed her away.
She jumped back as if shocked. "Don't you want me?" Her eyes began to tear up.
"Yes, of course," soothed Lazarus hurriedly.
Her eyes began to flame. "No you don't! You want that little chick you brought with you from who-knows-where!"
Lazarus's frantically turned and ran through the forest. A wild beastlike Shera followed with a scream that could curdle any male's blood.
--
Haruhi's eyes fluttered. She wanted to snuggle down into the warmth around her, but she couldn't. Her inner clock was telling her that it was time to get up and continue her journey, and that was what she must obey. She opened her eyes and saw Tamaki's face in front of her. His creamy skin and golden hair contrasted with his dark thick lashes and sparked that familiar adoring feeling within her, and she smiled. She freed one of her arms and brushed his bangs out of his eyes. He was curled against her like a small puppy or child might do to a mother or a best friend and looked very adorable to her.
She began to sit up but something pulled her back down. She felt something tighten around her midsection and pull her back to something quite firm and warm. She felt breath on her ear and turned her head to see something very scary indeed. Kyouya's certainly angelic face lay obnoxiously close to her, and she wasn't too sure she liked that. She tried to sit up once more and gently undo his arms holding her, but they only became tighter. In the end, her efforts had only bound her closer to this dark man.
Haruhi sat there for awhile watching and feeling him breathe. His chest rose and fell along with her own until they were in perfect rythm. She inched her hands down to his own once more and clasped them in her palms.
Kyouya's eyes fluttered open to see Haruhi biting the tip of her tongue in concentration as she tried to unwind herself from him. A smile flit across his lips. He felt good. It was almost as if the particularly good rest he had had given him a particularly wonderful high. He attributed it to having grown closer to his goal of marriage but could also grudgingly admit that he hadn't slept that well since his and Haruhi's expedition days back in the forest.
He felt her grasp his hands and immediately let go of her. She squeaked in surprise, and he shut his eyes. He lay there a moment listening to her wieght shift around. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain on the tip of his nose. He grasped the offending body part and let out an indignant 'OW!'
Haruhi was leaning over him with a faint ticked off expression, but he could just make out a possible hint of a smile. "You were awake," she all but asked.
He grimaced and wiggled his nose to get it back in working order. "Not until you started your moving around," he replied in a slightly miffed voice.
Her eyes took on a calculating expression, and her brows drew together. If there was one thing Kyouya had to admit, it would be how he thought she was utterly and undeniably adorable like this. Her lips drew together into a confused line.
Since this made her even more utterly and undeniably adorable in Kyouya's eyes, he was able to say the most intelligent thing that came into his mind as a defense. "Uh. . ."
Haruhi saw his distress and laughed. "I suppose that's good enough for now," she smiled. "But," her face hardened, "try not to let it happen again."
"Yes," muttered a still unsure Kyouya. His own brows drew together in a thoughtful way as he pondered this new development in his life.
Haruhi stood and stretched. A breeze flashed by her making the flames of the fire dance in the dark cave. She immediately had her dagger out and was in her natural fighting stance by the time Mori pulled up in front of her.
His eyes widened considerably at her speed and reflexes. "Um. . . Peace?" His eyes traveled from the considerably imposing dagger to her eyes in time to watch realization dawn.
She put the dagger back in its sheath and looked around for the rest of the trio. "Where's Lazarus," she asked curiously.
Mori smiled mischieviously. "Realizing his fears."
Haruhi frowned at this very unhelpful and unsatifying answer but saw no reason to question it and presumed to shrug it off.
Kyouya stood up and brushed off his trousers irritably. The good feeling had dissipated with the arrival of Mori, and Haruhi's question had further agitated him. "Haruhi," he said placing a hand on her shoulder, "shouldn't we be continuing our Quest?"
She looked at his hand on her shoulder for a moment before turning to face Mori once more. "He's right. The answer to our Quest is not here. Therefore, we should continue as soon as possible."
Mori nodded before shuffling around in his pockets. He withdrew a somewhat crumpled map and passed it to Haruhi. From over her shoulder, he noticed Kyouya squinting and rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Kyouya," asked Mori thoughtfully.
"Yes," said Kyouya as he glanced up sharply. The vampire lord hadn't adressed him in this way since they had met, and it had caught him off guard.
"Do you wear glasses," asked Mori.
"Ah," replied Kyouya in a cool voice, "I do,but they were broken at the beginning of our journey."
"May I see?"
"Of course," replied Kyouya as he went and dug the broken glasses out of his bag. He handed them over to Mori who promptly disappeared from view.
When he returned, he carried a black frame and the previous lenses. He sat on the rug near Tamaki and bent over the glasses. Kyouya looked toward Haruhi who was already mapping out a possible course. He turned back to Mori disgusted that he couldn't help out his Princess in her current endeavor. He sat by Mori and watched him turn little screws and bend the frame different ways. Eventually, Mori thrust out the pair to Kyouya and nodded.
Kyouya slipped the glasses on and blinked. The world he was in now was suddenly a bit clearer and more pristine than what he had lived in before. He looked over at Haruhi's map and smiled. He could once more help his Princess to the fullest. He got up and began to cross to her but stopped and turned.
"Uh. . . Thank you. . . greatly," he managed to push past his lips.
Mori smiled and nodded. Kyouya smiled knowingly and resumed the walk to his Princess.
--
Wow! Long chapter, huh? Well, I have a delima (I know that's not spelled right. . .). Should I keep Lazarus, Shera, and Mori in the story? I mean, I won't completely take Mori out, but I'm only definitely keeping Tamaki, Haruhi, and Kyouya. So, if you don't mind, review and vote! It shall be very much appreciated! What I'm writing in the next chapter depends on this decision, so help!