Of Angels and Vampires
Chapter Seven
The Confession
And
The Imprisonment
By Fallon
Author's Note: The song used in this chapter is by my favorite band, HIM, song "Beautiful" because Yukinari and Hanako's love is so beautiful. In bold and italicized.
She crept through the halls with caution, firmly holding her dagger in her hands. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she slid to one side of the hallway. She thought she heard footsteps approaching, so she stayed close to the wall and away from the light to keep her shadow or presence from being noticed.
The footsteps came closer, and her heart began to beat faster. She wasn't going to be caught now: she couldn't fail.
The footsteps stopped. Suddenly she heard a shouting from the distance. "Oi, Kusunami, come and take my post!" a voice shouted.
"Alright, I'll be there in a minute," the man replied, turning and walking back down the long hallway.
Hanako let out a sigh of relief. I thought I was going to be caught for sure, she thought, peering around the corner to see if the karyuudo was out of sight. She continued to move closer to Yukinari's room, hearing the faint sounds of a conversation carrying on outside. She approached two double doors with slanted handles.
She opened one side of the door quietly, looking behind her shoulder to make sure that no one would see her going in. She entered and saw a sliding door down a short hallway filled with water-marked portraits of Lord Yukinari's family members. Hanako didn't care to glance at them and kept her eyes fixed on the sliding door.
He's beyond that door, she thought, switching the dagger to her other hand. Her mind wandered back to the conversation with Lady Mayura before she left.
"General, this may be your last chance with your position, and perhaps being here on Gaia," Lady Mayura said. "The council is very displeased with the way you're handling the Japanese Vampires."
Hanako nodded. "Yes, my lady. I have tried my best, though it seems that I wasn't trying hard enough."
"General Hanako, I know you can do so much better. Therefore, we are giving you one last chance to prove yourself."
"Give me another—"
Hanako was shocked as Lady Mayura revealed a sliver dagger.
"Take this, General; this is your last resort to prove yourself." Lady Mayura placed the dagger in Hanako's hand. "I know you can do this, General. I am not disappointed in you whatsoever, but you have failed twice to bring down Yukinari. This has left me no choice…I am giving this to you to prove yourself."
Hanako was awestruck. Murder Lord Yukinari? After he had saved her from the Chinese Vampires? What am I thinking? He's my enemy! I must kill him…in order to save my position and myself…but how can I?
She held the dagger in her hand, gazing at it. Shifting her eyes upward, she nodded at Lady Mayura. "Yes, my lady. I will not fail you this time, so help me Goddess Athena."
Hanako stood before the sliding door, her arms at her side, her hand still holding on to the dagger. A million consequences went through her mind: what if he wasn't there and he was going to attack her from behind? What if she failed? What would happen if… If I fell in love?
She couldn't fall in love. It wouldn't be right for her do so, nor would it be her place. She would be stripped of her position as General and banished from Gaia. She would let everyone down… what would happen to her then?
It's now or never, Hanako.
Hanako placed one hand on the sliding door and slowly slid the door open. The room was large, draped with Japanese canvas painting of landscapes and cherry blossom trees. A large circular window practically had taken up an entire wall, covered by a large abstract wood carving to seal the window. The moon shone down on a figure lying on his side with the covers pulled over him.
Hanako moved quietly across the room, approaching behind the slumbering Yukinari. His breathing was heavy, and it mixed well with the thundering sound of her heart.
She took a deep breath, gripping the dagger in her hands. This was her last chance to prove herself, and there was no way she was going to ruin it. She raised the dagger, squaring towards his neck. My last chance… those words echoed in her mind as she held the dagger above her head. My last chance to redeem myself… her heart was pounding in her ears and tears began to cloud her eyes.
Do it…
No…
DO IT!
NO!
DO IT NOW!
NO!
The dagger quickly dropped by her side as Hanako tried her best to keep her sobbing quiet. She kept thinking that she couldn't do it. Something was holding her back from killing this creature that she hated more than anything in her entire life. He killed the closest thing she had to a mother, former General Ria.
For all that he has done, I have to kill him…
I…I can't…
She turned away from Yukinari, covering her face as the lump in her throat grew bigger and bigger until she finally let it all out. Suddenly she felt a cold hand touch her back. Quickly dropping her hands, she gasped. She turned around quickly.
"This is a pleasant surprise to see you here, General," Yukinari said, grinning. "Especially at this time of night." His voice was soothing to her ears, yet it had a hint of danger.
Hanako sprang from his side to the edge of the bed. Tear stains were noticeable on her face, especially with the moonlight shining in. She was at a loss for words, having no idea what to say.
Yukinari smiled. Sitting up, he grabbed the dagger and examined it carefully. "A silver dagger." He flipped it a couple of times, then handed it to Hanako. "I suppose you were going to use this to kill me, weren't you?"
Hanako gave a slight nod. "Yes," she whispered.
"Then why don't you? It would make it a lot easier on you and your people, but it would also stir up chaos for my people."
Hanako's mind was blank: she didn't know what to say as she was still in shock. Finally, she found the courage to speak. "I was sent here on a mission…to kill you," she replied.
Yukinari gave her an interested look, "By your council, I assume. I'll bet they've been hounding on you to kill me."
Hanako nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yes," she replied.
"Why did you hesitate to kill me then, General?" Yukinari asked.
Hanako was silent, staring at the Vampire, Yukinari kept his ruby-red eyes on her, waiting. A long silence swept over them as Hanako tried to come up with an answer.
She sighed. It was better for her to be honest than lie to him. "The reason I hesitated to kill you, Yukinari..." she said slowly, moving closer to him. "I may have failed my people already, but.. I don't know of any other way to put this. I have fallen in love with you."
She waited to hear the burst of laughter or to see a shocked look coming from Yukinari, but much to her surprise, he did nothing. Yukinari was silent and it made her feel nervous. Did she say the wrong thing? Maybe she shouldn't have said it.
Yukinari's lips formed a small smile; he got out of his bed, opening his arms out to Hanako. He embraced her fully in his arms and Hanako didn't know what to do. She didn't know if she should wrap herself around him, to feel his body against hers. At first she thought it was fate that Mayura sent her here, but then she realized that it wasn't. She had made a terrible mistake, but it was her choice. Hanako had decided against killing Yukinari.
"I would have never thought you were going to speak those words, Hanako." Yukinari spoke finally, breaking the silence between them. "I thought after the moment I had saved you, it would've hinted that I had feelings for you, even though we are destined to be enemies."
"I thought you would've let me die there, but it was a shock to me that you didn't. I guess this was my change of heart for you." Hanako pulled away from him, looking directly up at him. The moonlight was shining on the right side of his face, revealing his long scar on his right eye. He looked so beautiful there, in front of her. For his age, his body still had the sleekness of muscles that did not cease. His face was smooth, and his immortality hid the winkles from his eyes, only showing the ones underneath his eyes. His hair was a mix of grey and black, though the top of his hair had more black than what his age would suggest. If he were human, he would be in his mid-fifties or possibly younger. The only thing that would give away his age was the premature grey hair.
Yukinari smiled at Hanako, a smile that he was showing her not of evil, but of happiness. He was glad that she told him she fell in love with him. He was surprised at the moment she said it. All he could do was hold her, hold her without hurting her with a strike of a sword. Her brown eyes twinkled in the moonlight, possible tears welling up in her eyes. Her auburn –brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail as the strands from her hair hung to her shoulders.
Yukinari didn't notice what Hanako was wearing when he had first awakened. Hanako wore short black pants, with a sleeveless black top that zipped up the front and a black fishnet shirt she wore underneath the top. She reminded him of a kunoichi—a female ninja. He thought she might've been taught to fight as a ninja also and that she could probably be using her confession as a distraction to really kill him…but she carried no other weapons except for the dagger.
He moved his attention away from her clothing and focused on her.
Just one look into your eyes,
One look and I'm crying
'Cause you're so beautiful,
Yukinari smiled at her again. Hanako saw the calm on his face. He placed both of his hands on her face, stroking her right cheek. "Hanako, I want you to know that when I saw you for the first time, your beauty captivated me."
Hanako smiled, her cheeks flushing with a light pink. "Yukinari," she whispered, grabbing his hands and holding them while he still had his on her face.
He continued, "You have every right to hate me, but the love I have for you will never die unless I do. I know how much Ria meant to you."
Hanako looked at him, a little shocked."Yes, she was like a mother to me…and…for so long I have carried this hate I have for you when you killed her...but even with this…I can't deny my feelings any more. I can't deny you."
Hanako pulled herself closer to Yukinari, burying her face in his chest. He heard a sob escape her and he held her tightly. "We may be enemies, Yukinari, and you may have taken the one I love away from me, but…how can I? How can I deny you? If you had not saved me, then…" She stopped, letting the tears flow down her face. How can I betray my people? Myself?
Yukinari placed his hands on Hanako's shoulders, "You have already reached that point, Hanako," he said, looking at her. "You were sent here to kill me, but in turn, you have confessed your love."
What had she done? She was blinded by her love for Yukinari. Once she hadn't given a thought to striking him with her sword; now she couldn't dare to put a scratch on him.
She said nothing at first, but looked at him with awe and confusion.
"There's no turning back, Hanako. How can you leave here without proof that I am dead?"
"I…I don't know, but the thought that I have betrayed my people…"
"You have already betrayed them, my dear, and you have all along." Yukinari spoke before Hanako couldn't finish. He was right: she had betrayed her people all along. Ever since Yukinari had laid a hand on her, touched her, and saved her. She had developed those feelings, born from her surprise at his rescue, during the battle with Aya.
"You're right, Yukinari, what else can I do?" Hanako wiped her eyes, sighing.
He gave her a slight nod, taking her hands in his. "It'll be all right, Hanako."
Hanako was silent, looking at the Vampire, examining his face. She reached out to touch the scar on his right eye. She smiled at him. Yukinari returned the smile.
"I want to see your wings, Hanako," he whispered.
"My wings?"
"Yes."
Hanako nodded. She was about to close her eyes until Yukinari stopped her. "Wait," he whispered, grabbing the zipper of her black top and pulling it down. Hanako's face turned a light pink.
Yukinari removed her black top and tossed it aside. He then pulled her fishnet shirt off, revealing her bare chest. He looked at her from the waist up to her beautiful face. She still wore her black pants and shoes.
"Now I want to see your wings," he spoke.
Hanako nodded, taking a few steps back towards the moonlight. She slowly closed her eyes and tilted her head back a bit as two pearly-white wings rose out of her back. Feathers escaped as she expanded them and the folded the wings behind her back.
Yukinari released a shaky breath. Getting up from the bed, he approached her, gazing at her as if he were in trance. Hanako gave him a soft smile as her wings slowly increased and decreased in size as more feathers fell from her wings. He placed his hands on her face and his lips brushed against hers.
Hanako's eyes widened as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Yukinari's tongue entered her mouth and moved against hers as a low groan escaped his throat.
Just one kiss and I'm alive
One kiss and I'm ready to die
'Cause you're so beautiful
He moved his lips from her mouth trailing down to her neck, nibbling a bit. He could smell her sweet blood, though he couldn't taste her blood just yet.
Hanako laughed a bit. "What?" Yukinari spoke suddenly, stopping mid-kiss.
"If I can recall, you commented that my blood would taste the sweetest because I'm a full-blooded Gaian. Am I right?" she said.
Yukinari grinned at her."Ah, that's only for you to know, my dear."
Hanako giggled. "But I don't taste my own blood, Yukinari."
He smiled, "Well, then it looks like I'm going to be one who gets to taste it."
Hanako's wings fluttered a bit. "Not yet, please."
He nodded. "All right. I'll wait until you're ready. But might I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"Have you ever…" Yukinari trailed off, smiling sheepishly.
Hanako blushed a beet red. "Ah, to be honest, no, I haven't."
"Really? Actually, I should know better. Gaian women are trained to be warriors, not lovers."
"Oh, you'd be surprised, Yukinari, there are lovers. Many."
Yukinari smiled and continued to kiss her, sticking his tongue in her mouth. Hanako could feel one of his sharp fangs brush against her upper lip. She wrapped his arms around him again as she felt herself being pulled closer to his body.
Yukinari lifted her up and sat her on his bed. he pulled away from her and reached for her shoes to remove them. Hanako protested him to stop. She looked at the robe that he wore; part of it was revealing his strong torso. She reached for the stash that was tied around his waist. She untied it and opened his robe to reveal his blue pants. Something hard was pushed to one side in his pants. She gave him a strange look and all Yukinari could do was laugh.
"So this must really be your first time then, huh?" Yukinari chuckled.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is," Hanako replied, blushing a shade of red. She couldn't help but notice his strong torso and stomach. His body revealed many battle scars as she placed her fingers on his chest and slowly moved down to his waist.
She stopped. He placed his hands on hers, pulling his pants down, revealing his manhood.
"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment, Hanako."
She cast her eyes to his face. For once she saw something she had never seen before: sincerity.
"Yukinari," she said, "has it always been love or lust?"
"Both," he replied, grabbing her face and kissing her.
He removed her pants and lay her on the bed. Yukinari kissed her chest and trailed down to her stomach.
Just one touch and I'm on fire
One touch and I'm crying
'Cause you're so beautiful
She felt his warm breath on her womanhood, feeling his tongue in her. She moaned as he went deeper in her, feeling her on the inside. She felt like she was on fire. "Oh, Yukinari," She whispered. She placed her hands on his head, brushing her fingers through his hair.
Her innocence tastes so sweet, he thought, could her blood be any sweeter? "Hanako," he said as he lifted his head. She looked down at him questioningly.
"You know what we are doing is forbidden. My master—the Prince of Darkness—commanded me to stop, said that we both would be making a grave mistake. But I couldn't really give a damn."
"That's ironic. Once the council finds out about us, I will be stripped of my position and possibly banished. At least that's what happens when an Angel crosses over to the dark side. No one has ever done it-I may be the first."
"I'm not afraid, Hanako, of what will happen to us."
"Neither am I, just as long as you are at my side."
She gathered his hands in hers and smiled, opening her mouth to brush her lips against his. Hanako's wings wrapped around them. She held him for a moment before he laid her on her back.
Yukinari spread her legs and looked at her. "Are you ready?"
She looked at him and nodded. "Yes," she whispered.
He kissed her lips and entered her slowly. She felt the pressure between her legs tighten, then she would relax. She dug her nails into his shoulders. "Ah, Yukinari," she whispered. "I want you…I want to you taste me, devour me."
Yukinari slowly pushed in and out of her womanhood, moaning deep in his throat. "Watashi no ai…My love," he said, kissing her neck. He started to move faster in her while she wrapped her legs around his waist.
Just one smile and I'm wild
One smile and I'm ready to die
'Cause you're so beautiful
"Make love to me, Yukinari, I want to feel your love."
He flipped her over until she sat on top of him. She moaned loudly, calling out his name. "Hai…" he said, grabbing her hips and moving her up and down.
She spread her wings and shuddered at every inch of pleasure she felt push into her. "Yukinari…my darling."
"Uruwashii," he said, feeling her breasts. He sat up and gathered her in his arms, snaking his arms around her back. "Can I taste you, Hanako?" he asked.
"Yes, taste me, devour me—oh Yukinari…" Her words trailed off as she felt the pleasure burning between her legs.
Yukinari sank his teeth into her neck, sucking on her pure Gaian blood. "Mmm…" he moaned. Human blood was nothing compared to her blood—it tasted sweet, like pure honey and lavender.
Oh and you're so beautiful
My darling
He trailed kisses down her chest and bit into her left breast. He heard her moan again as she continued to pull him in and out of her. The pleasure was getting stronger, and Hanako had to control her emotions. Just a little while longer, please… she thought while clenching her fists.
Oh you're so beautiful
You're so beautiful
Yukinari turned her over on the bed, grabbing her rear. They both sank to their knees as he entered her again. Hanako whispered his name. She bent forward onto the bed while he pumped in and out of her. "Go slowly, please," she pleaded. "I want to feel you."
Oh my baby
You're so beautiful
He did as she wanted; he pushed in and out of her—going at a slow pace.
And you're so beautiful
He grabbed her rear and began to go faster. Just when Hanako thought she would explode from the pleasure, he picked her up and shifted position to take her from behind. He snaked his arms around her waist, placing one hand on her breast and the other hand on her womanhood, teasing her.
Oh my darling
Oh my baby
He then pulled out and looked at her, kissing her passionately. Her wings fluttered as he lay on her back, entering her again.
"I love you, Hanako," he whispered. He pushed hard into her once more, groaning. Hanako felt the pleasure burning again, rising until she couldn't hold back anymore. She let herself fall into the feeling of being in a beautiful paradise with the one she loves. "Yukinari," she whispered, moaning, "I-I love you—Oh, my love…"
And you're so beautiful
They both climaxed as Yukinari pushed harder into her. Hanako grabbed his rear and pushed herself into him. He breathed heavily and smiled at her; Hanako smiled back. They kissed and held each other through the remainder of the night.
Morning came and Yukinari found himself alone in his bed. There was a note lying next to him:
My Dearest Yukinari,
I had to return to Gaia. It may take me a few days to get back to you. Please wait for me.
With Love, Hanako
He sat up in bed, putting the letter next to his bedside. He lay back down and sighed. Suddenly, a storm gathered outside. Yukinari didn't pay much attention to it until he heard a voice call out his name.
Yukinari, my faithful servant, I knew you would disobey me.
Yukinari shot up from the bed. "I will no longer be your servant! I love Hanako and I pledge myself to protect her at all cost!"
You will pay for your insolence! You belong to me!
Dark clouds engulfed the room and the corpse figures descended from below, grabbing Yukinari and dragging him to the dark abyss portal. The carried him to the open gates of hell.
"NO! Hanako!" He shouted before the gates closed behind them.