Chapter 2: Entering Her World
"How do you know her?" Cloud asked bluntly at lunch a few days later, startling Zack who sat across from him. For the first time, he noticed how his dark haired friend never ate at school, and wondered how he could have been so blind to the truth for so long.
"Aerith?" Zack asked to make sure. When the blond nodded, he frowned. "Why didn't you ask her? You asked her about practically everything else. She would have told you."
He shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't really think about it at the time. Would you rather me ask her?"
The black haired vampire leaned back in his chair. "No, no, it's okay. I just wondered is all." Pale fingers moved through his hair as he pondered his answer. "I met Aerith about two hundred years ago, just after she'd been changed. Poor thing," he murmured sadly, shaking his head. "She'd really had a bad time of it, not that she complained. She's just not the type. Anyway, I was in a bit of a jam with some young punks who'd only recently become a vampire themselves, and she came by and helped me out of it."
Zack sat forward again, the legs of the chair thumping against the tiled floor. "After that, I offered to let her stay with me, and we've kept in close contact ever since."
"As. . . friends?" Cloud ventured tentatively and the other male chuckled.
"Yes, yes. Just friends. Once I had thought of making it a bit more, but . . ." Zack's voice trailed off and he shrugged slightly. "We're better off as friends. Not to mention that she wasn't interested," he added sheepishly.
The blond laughed, elbowing the dark haired vampire slightly in the side. "Must have been a shock, to actually have a female refuse your advances," he teased. "Was it the first time in a century or so?"
Zack only grinned tauntingly. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Cloud wrinkled his nose, frustrated. Even though he now knew the truth about his friend and Aerith, there were still many subjects that both were closemouthed on. Age was one of those topics that neither would give him an exact number on, and neither would talk about their pasts either. But that was okay; he understood the need to keep some things private. He had his own secrets to keep as well.
His past wasn't something he liked to talk about either. When he was just a newborn, his mother had given him up for adoption, leaving him in the care of the government. Only weeks later, Cloud had been adopted by a woman named Elmyra. She was a good woman and loved Cloud in her way, but she had a hard time understanding him and was always working. He cared for her, but often felt something was missing in their small family.
Suddenly aware of Zack's hand on his shoulder, he blinked out of his reverie, blinking. "Sorry, did you say something?"
"Just asking if you were planning on coming to the club tonight with Aerith and me." He cocked his head to the side, a little smirk curving his lips. "Y'know you never pass up the opportunity to see her."
Cloud grinned sheepishly, rumpling his blond spikes to hide his embarrassment. "Of course I'm coming."
&&&&
She'd been staring at him ever since he and Zack had arrived at the club half an hour ago, and it was beginning to creep him out. In the past few weeks he'd been coming here with his vampire friends, he couldn't ever remember seeing her before. Her lithe body was clothed all in red, long blond hair falling in elegant ringlets around her chalk white face and down her shoulders. Her eyes were piercing and dark, fixed on him with sheer loathing in that gaze.
Uncertainly, Cloud scooted his stool back slightly towards Zack.
"Something wrong?" his friend had torn his attention from the mousy human girl he'd been chatting with to glance at him. Obviously he'd caught the unease in his emotions.
"That woman," Cloud muttered in undertone, keeping his eyes adverted from the icy glare still searing through his body. "She hasn't stopped staring at me all night."
Bright blue eyes followed the subtle jerk of the human's head, following it to the woman in crimson. Zack's lip curled back, a low hiss escaping, and the blond looked away at last. "Don't let Scarlet bother you," he said easily, though his eyes remained on the female vampire across the room. "She just has a chip on her shoulder when it comes to humans. Don't worry about it."
"Seems like I should," Cloud murmured, still uneasy. Though the blond's face hidden behind her curls, he could feel the hair prickling at the nape of his neck from the chilling intensity of her stare.
A gentle hand touched his shoulder and he nearly jumped out of his skin, startled, but then his eyes lifted to the ethereal woman at his side. Aerith squeezed his arm lightly, but her gaze was on the female, emerald eyes narrowed with intense dislike. Scarlet had flung her hair back, glaring hostilely at the slim seemingly fragile brunette. The blond female growled menacingly, her teeth glittering in the dim lighting, but that noise was nothing compared to the snarl that Aerith gave, a sound both beautiful and terrifying.
Her eyes were still fixed on the other woman as she slid onto the empty stool at Cloud's left, though her voice was cheerful and warm as she spoke to him. "Sorry to keep you waiting so long. I got held up by a friend asking some questions."
"It's okay," Cloud assured her, but Zack, grinning mischievously spoke up.
"I'm glad you finally showed up. His been moping around all day, counting the seconds until we could meet up with you."
The teenager's cheeks flared crimson as he scowled at his friend, but Aerith only laughed softly, leaning closer to murmur softly in his ear, her breath cool on his skin. "Don't be embarrassed. I've missed you too."
He thought it impossible to blush more, but the heat increased and he ducked his head. Aerith hummed softly, a hint of laughter in her sweet voice as she leaned against his side, her brunette head falling to his shoulder.
"Silly Cloud," she sighed.
Time always seemed to fly too quickly when they were together. The night was too short for Cloud's liking, even if it was a weekend. He'd already told Elmyra that he was spending the night at Zack's, but even so, it wasn't enough. Aerith had convinced him to dance with her a few times before she had started looking for a potential candidate to take a meal from this night. She seemed uncomfortable with him knowing this, fidgeting slightly from where they stood leaning against the wall in a darker corner.
"Blast," she was murmuring under her breath, eyes scanning the crowd. "There has to be someone who isn't already spoken for. . ."
"What about that kid?" Cloud inquired, discreetly pointing to a red headed boy with hazel eyes near the bar.
Aerith gave the briefest shake of her head. "No, Tifa's already got to him. If I tried to take anymore, it might kill him." Her bright green eyes flickered to the entrance of the club and stiffened, groaning slightly under her breath. "Great," she sighed, stepping nearer to Cloud. "Keep close, alright?"
"Why?" he asked, confused as he followed her line of sight to the people just stepping into the club.
A tall ash-blond man in a white suit had entered followed by an assortment of others clad in blue suits. As they passed, other vampires hastily moved aside to get out of their way. If the white suited man noticed, he didn't show it, taking a seat in a private booth with the others clustered around at various points.
"Who is that?" Cloud inquired.
Aerith's face was an odd mixture of anger and sadness as she turned her attention away from the group, returning to her search of the crowd. "That's Rufus," she said emotionlessly. "He's one of the most powerful vampires in this area. The ones with him are his personal guard. Though he doesn't really need them." This last sentence was spoke with venom, her lovely face darkening momentarily. But then she smiled up at Cloud, once more her own self. "I just would rather he not see you."
Cloud watched as the one named Rufus beckoned a man with a long red ponytail closer, murmuring something in undertone. There was something between this Rufus and Aerith, and he very much wanted to know what it was. But at the moment, he had a more pressing issue. Aerith was becoming extremely agitated, still unable to find someone who hadn't already been claimed by another, or one who hadn't already been fed on.
"What does it feel like?" he asked her abruptly.
"What?" she asked vaguely, not paying much attention until his next words drew her full awareness to him.
"When you feed on someone. What does it feel like for them?"
Forest colored eyes scanned his sharply, her voice cautious as she answered. "It depends on the vampire, but it generally doesn't hurt, if you don't fight. The same way we can induce calm to keep humans from noticing our true nature we use to catch their mind. Instead of pain, you would feel instead pure bliss, as if you were floating in a dream. Only truly sadistic vampires who enjoy the struggle and another's agony allow it to hurt."
He mulled this over for a moment, before cautiously asking, "Why don't you take mine then?"
Her normally pale face went even whiter, her eyes swelling in size. "No!!" she hissed, horrified. "Are you insane?!"
"What's so insane about it?" Cloud argued stubbornly. "You need to feed. Why search for someone when I'm here?"
"No!" Aerith's voice was full of vehemence, small hands clenched into fists. "I won't do that to you. I refuse to use you like that. . . No, it's out of the question. I'll hunt later tonight, find someone else."
Cloud's arms were sliding around her, turning her around to face him as he pulled her slender body against his. Though it would have been all too easy for her to free herself, she didn't move, turning into a frozen statue in his embrace.
"It's okay," he whispered in her ear. "I'm not afraid. I just want to be able to help you. Do you understand that? I'm not insane, and I don't have a death wish. I only want to help." He let out a slow breath before admitting. "I know I can't protect you or take care of you the way you deserve, but I can at least do this."
She stirred slightly against him, her face turning into his neck, and he felt her sigh. "You are such an odd human," Aerith whispered quietly, and Cloud felt one arm slip around his waist while the other was moving around his neck, her icy fingers curling into his hair.
His breath caught in his throat at the sensation of her lips lightly brushing against his neck, his knees seeming to give out on him. She kept him upright though, allowing his body to lean back against the wall as her mouth stopped moving at last.
Despite what she had told him, Cloud still braced himself for pain, but it didn't come. Instead he felt the curious sensation that he was floating in warm air, a pleasurable dizziness clouding his senses. He was drowning in it, drifting dreamily in a state without worry or cares. It was drugging and hypnotic and he allowed himself to relax further, slipping deeper and deeper away.
As suddenly as it had begun, it ended and Cloud found himself blinking in the harshness of the colored lights, disoriented as Aerith released him gently, an unreadable expression in her darkened eyes. Feebly, he attempted to straighten, and staggered slightly, the blood loss making him dizzy. She caught him before he even pitched forward, steadying him against the wall as she peered worriedly into his face.
"Cloud! Are you okay?" Her cool hands were cupping his head in her hands, eyes bright with concern.
"Yeah," he managed, grinning slightly to reassure her. "I should have warned you- I get like this every time I have my blood drawn." He saw her lips twitch slightly into a smile and breathed a sigh of relief, keeping his arm around her for support. "Seriously though, I'm fine. That was. . . incredible."
Her lips tightened slightly, turning her head away. "A pleasurable way to die, I suppose," she responded bitterly.
"You'd never hurt me."
"You seem so sure. It would have been so easy, Cloud. So very easy. A few more minutes, and you wouldn't be standing here now."
"But I am," he pointed out, regaining enough of his strength to stand on his own, taking hold of her shoulders to turn her back around to face him, lifting her chin with a gentle finger. "Besides, it's easy to be sure with you."
Dark lashed lids flutter, emerald green lifting to meet sky blue. "Silly, foolish human," Aerith murmured, reaching up to caress his cheek as she brought her face nearer to his, her icy breath whispering against his mouth. She hesitated, as if unsure to how he would respond, but she needn't have worried.
He closed the gap between them, lightly capturing her lips with his own. They were chilly, just like the rest of her body always seemed to be, but she warmed quickly, mouth soft and pliant against his own. It was gentle and careful, but more than enough to send his heart racing and yearning for more.
"So sweet," a voice sneered behind them, making Aerith breakaway instantly, her body posture protective as she planted herself before Cloud. Scarlet seemed unimpressed, flicking her blond ringlets back over her shoulder as she gazed down at the smaller woman before her hard gaze shifted to the blond behind her. "In fact, I think I'm going to throw up," she continued scornfully.
"What do you want, Scarlet?" Aerith asked levelly, her voice giving no sign as to the emotions beneath.
The blond female sauntered slightly nearer, her walk as graceful as a cat's prowl, long legs incased in sleek crimson leather. "I can't say hello?" she inquired, feigning hurt.
"No," was the blunt answer, forest orbs darkening. "If you're not interrupting for a purpose, then get lost."
"Watch your mouth, Aerith," Scarlet retorted curtly. "Rufus would want you to show me some respect, being one of his counsel-"
"Rufus wouldn't give a million gil about me doing anything to you," the brunette responded, a hint of anger creeping into her tone for the first time.
The blond vampire snarled, baring her teeth. "Maybe you're right," she spat. "But he would care about that human." Her black eyes flicked to Cloud, the hate in her gaze causing the blood in his veins to frost over.
Aerith's small hands had knotted into fists, her eyes blazing. "He's with me," she snapped, her temper clearly fraying. "He's not a danger to us, Scarlet!"
"Oh really? So you have him under your complete control then? He goes no where without your say so, he doesn't speak or act without your approval then? He's an obedient pet?" A smirk curved her perfect lips. "I think not." Flaxen curls shimmered in the artificial light as she stepped nearer, her expression almost hungry as she stared at Cloud. "I could do it for you, if you'd like."
"No thank you. I know how you treat humans."
"All the more reason to hand him over to me." Scarlet's eyes had not moved from his face, and he shuddered at the sheer hate in that gaze.
"I'd rather you stop talking about me like I can't hear," he finally spoke up, summoning all his courage to face the sudden flame in her eyes. "And for the record, I'm perfectly happy where I am, thank you."
A snarl escaped the woman's perfect lips, and Aerith's body stiffened, moving into a protective crouch. But before either of the female vampires moved, Cloud's vision was suddenly obscured by midnight-blue fabric and flame colored hair.
"Whoa, ladies," a male voice drawled casually. "I'm all for catfights, but in the middle of a babe fest like this? No way, yo." He shifted enough for Cloud to see the angry face of the crimson clad woman.
Scarlet glared angrily at the man, eyes narrowed to slits. "Stay out of this, Reno," she intoned coldly. "This isn't the concern of the Turks."
He chuckled easily, seeming more amused than irritated. "It is when you have an appointment with Palmer," he said lightly. "Or have you forgotten about it, babe?"
Annoyance flashed in the blond vampire's dark eyes, but she nodded curtly, casting one last withering glance at Aerith and Cloud before sweeping away into the crowd. The blue garbed man watched her go before turning to face the couple, an eyebrow quirked and a lazy grin on his face.
"Still haven't changed, Aery," he drawled, his hands in his pockets as he surveyed them. "You were getting into scrapes the very first time I ever met you."
"So were you," she answered wryly. "Doing Rufus' dirty work, if memory serves me correctly."
Reno shrugged easily, his own bright green eyes gleaming. "It does. Speaking of which, the boss wanted to have a word with you," he informed her, jerking his thumb over his shoulder with a tilt of his head. "He asked for you almost at once. Seems it's time for your monthly chat?"
She sighed heavily. "Unfortunately," she muttered under her breath. "I don't suppose you'll tell him you couldn't find me?"
He gave a slight shake of his head, his expression truly one of regret. "Sorry, no can do Aery. I'll keep an eye on Spike here for you though."
She raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really?"
Lifting a hand, he answered solemnly. "Yup. I'd cross my heart if it were still beating. I'll make sure Scarlet doesn't get her fangs into him."
Aerith shook her head in exasperation, before returning her attention to Cloud. "I'll only be a moment," she assured him. "Is that okay?"
He nodded mutely, watching as she slipped easily through the crowds towards the corner booth, folding his arms across his chest as he began to ponder the events that had taken place. The swirl of thought was interrupted as Reno leaned against the wall beside him, striking up conversation.
"So, known Aery long, Spike?"
"A few weeks," he responded shortly. "You?"
Reno snickered, obviously finding the question humorous. "Quite a bit longer," he answered. "First met Aery not long after she and Zacky-boy became pals. I was supposed to take care of cleanup duty on Rufus' orders, but wouldn't you know, she'd already helped take care of it! Quite the lady, Aery."
Cloud only nodded mutely, and the redhead raised an eyebrow.
"Not very talkative, are you?" A glare was his only answer. Reno chuckled, apparently not at all bothered. "Touchy, touchy. What, don't you trust me?"
"About as much as I trust any other vampire besides Aerith and Zack." His sapphire eyes focused on his malachite orbs momentarily before looking away.
"Good sentiment," the other male said approvingly. "Especially considering who I work for an all that jazz. But honestly? You should be more concerned about Scarlet than me."
Brow wrinkling, Cloud glanced back to the other's face. "She does seem rather . . . unpleasant."
Reno closed his eyes, but spoke quietly. "Stay away from her. I'm perfectly serious. It doesn't matter what anyone may say, even if Rufus gives her a direct order. If she can, she will kill you. Don't give her that opportunity."
A blond eyebrow arched slightly. "For someone who's supposedly a bad guy, you sound like you actually care."
"Hmph." The flame haired man smirked. "Maybe I do. I just don't want to see Aerith cry anymore. She's done enough of that for a hundred life times." He straightened, and Cloud saw the pink glad woman coming toward them. In a low voice, Reno added, "I don't want to see her cry any more. Don't give her a reason to."