Chapter 34
A/N: First things first. A little question answering (kinda?) and thanks.
Consciously Comatose - Haven't heard a reply from you yet and i've been dying to talk to you! Makes me upset -pouts- I enjoy your reviews. Some are longer than my updates. Haha. Awesome much?
YagamiNeko - Did it? I'm sorry. I Try to keep things understandable for everyone haha but I end up just typing whatever pops into my head.
Xioyuu - Thanks.
lozzy035 - Ahaha thanks! -hands you a cookie-
Mello's Ultimate Lover - LOL I'm sorry about your sanity. You don't need it anyway. -evil smirk-
SavvyLovesYaoi - Oh don't worry. Light won't hurt him! Someone else will. (I'm so mean)
ZoneRobotnik - As much as I agree! -flails arms- It's necessary! Hehe, ah well and honestly I'm a little sore too. (Thats what she said!) But, shit happens. Sorry 'bout killing off Near. I'm a bad person.
ILoveMyGeeWay - Aww, I like Kyosta -grins- Maybe 'cause he's my character. Ah well. He is being a bit of a douche but thats how I made him.
Cazzylove - Thanks.
The sky was bleeding.
Or at least, that's what it looked like to Mello. The sun was slowly peeking up from behind the mountains, staining the sky with its brilliant hues of various shades of reds and pinks. They were already in Georgia, in the small town of St. Marys, waiting; watching the sun make its painstakingly slow trip up into the sky. The river of St. Marys was black, gradually growing lighter in shade with every second, shimmering as the first rays of sunlight beamed down upon it.
It must look odd the way all of them are just standing there on the grassy scrap of land just staring at the horizon with looks of stony determination. There were boats out on the water, and a few people were out about the docks, setting up their own boats to sail out. Occasionally, the statue like vampires would receive wary looks from some of the people, but the looks went ignored as their eyes focused on the horizon, now a crystal blue; light washing over their still, pale bodies like fire burning across a field of snow.
They all shifted simultaneously -uncomfortably- as the sunlight engulfed everything.
"We can't go on. We will wait till the sun has set once more." Aaron said in a grave tone. He was at the front of the group along with his twin sister and mate Celestria, and the blond devil himself. His eyes; as blue as the river before them, flashed to Mello who had gone rigid beside him. "You know very well that sunlight weakens us, Mello. If we continue on this way by the time we reach France we will be ravenous and weak. Then of what use are we? It's best if we wait here to rest and feed."
Mello's lips had curled up over his fangs, a protest waiting on the tip of his tongue but he bit it back as he ran his gloved hands over his bare arms. He had ditched the costume he had worn to the Ball a few miles back. Lucky for him he had worn his usual clothes underneath it. "Fine." He growled as he listened to the silent complaints from the other vampires. The New Orleans coven was not use to sunlight and so it irritated their pale, ice cold skin a lot more than it did Mello's.
"Alright." Aaron whispered, not moving to turn in their direction. "We're staying here until sundown. If you must feed, do it away from this town. People; animals, just be careful and know that just because we are at war with a coven that sees differently than us, we will not hold to their customs. No draining any human completely. Understood?"
The group mumbled a respectful 'Yes' and then they all went their separate ways. Others went off in groups of three or four, others in pairs but none went alone. This was something else that Light's coven didn't have. Trust and friendship. Light didn't care for his creations the way a vampire should. It's like parenting a child. A bond forms between creator and newborn, strong enough to leave scars should anything happen to said creators 'child.' Mello was fully aware of that after having lost Near.
The pain was something he hoped to never feel again. But he was. He was feeling it now that Matt wasn't in his arms and this pain would not fade until the redheaded teen was back at his side safely.
He hadn't realized that Celestria had had her arm linked with his own as they took slow steps along the boardwalk towards an empty restaurant. Hell, he hadn't even been conscious of walking at all. "Darling, you need to relax." She whispered as she rested her head lightly against the blonds shoulder. "You need to relax and try and keep a level head. Charging into battle blindly will only serve to get you killed that much faster."
Her tone betrayed no sign of fear and it did nothing to settle his nerves. He disliked being constantly reminded of the inevitability of death.
The three of them -Mello, Celestria and Aaron- took a seat at one of the tables in the empty diner like restaurant. For a long while, they sat there in silence like three blond statues. Then, Aaron spoke in a soft, kind tone. "Son," He started hesitantly as if he was nervous about speaking to Mello. "I know this may not be the easiest thing to hear given the current situation but, I want you to understand that if we don't get there in time..." A short pause as he waited for Mello's growled curses to subside.
"-...If we don't manage to save your human, I want you to focus on the task at hand-"
"Matt is the task at hand!"
"-And keep fighting. Don't break down the way I know you will, Mello. Fight. Fight and don't let that child's death be in vain -Don't you dare get up! If you walk away from me, Mello I will follow you even if you lead us halfway to the god damn moon, now sit down!" The last word was barked out harshly and the owner of the place watched the scene with wide eyes of shock but he said nothing.
Mello remained standing, hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as he glared down at Aaron. His chest was heaving as he fought to control the urge to strike Aaron but it was proving difficult. How could he sound so calm about Matt's possible death? Hell, if anything, Aaron was acting as if Matt had already been killed! So, despite the white hot anger coursing through his veins he sat back down in his seat, heavily so it made the wood groan in protest. The owner of the shop had disappeared by now, no doubt not daring to say anything let alone tell them to leave his shop.
"You're acting like a child, Mello." Celestria whispered.
No sooner had the words left Celestria's mouth, when Mello's fists slammed against the smooth marble surface of the table. Two small indents were visible on the marble. "You're not the one that's lost everything!" He shouted at her. "Your whole world is sitting right-" He gestured with his hand toward Aaron, who simply sat with a stoic look on his face. "-there! He's right there! I've lost both of the things most important to me, and you have the nerve to call me on my behavior? Fuck you! What do you know?!"
"Enough!" Aaron growled. "Now, I know you're upset but I won't have you speaking to her in such a way. After all we've done for you, boy..." He didn't finish his sentence. His eyes were cold and dangerous. "Enough."
Mello's expression softened at once as his eyes became distant. Yes, Aaron and Celestria had done so much for him. Even now, they didn't have to help him; they didn't have to fight, but they did it for his sake. To help him; the one they considered a son. What a jackass he was being. A soft sigh left his pale lips as he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry." When he opened them again, his eyes were lighter, more in control. He reached over to take Celestria's small hand in his own; rubbing his thumb soothingly across the back of her hand. "I have a big mouth."
And Celestria smiled. "That you do, my dear."
Mello couldn't help but laugh. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the snow white skin. "Do either of you need to feed?"
Aaron shifted in his seat. He didn't answer so Celestria sighed and answered for the both of them. "A quick bite would do us a world of good." She licked her lips, no longer the pretty rosy pink color they had been at the Ball, but a natural pale. "You should feed, too, darling." And it was as if she already knew the blond vampires answer, for she held up a hand to silence him and added. "We'll be back before sundown. Keep to the shadows."
As they stood, Aaron's cold blue eyes held Mello's but neither said anything. Celestria watched with a look on her face that oozed impatience and mumbled something that sounded vaguely like 'Men' Before starting to make her way out of the restaurant. Mello was just about to break the uncomfortable silence, when Aaron spoke in a light, almost playful tone. "Try not to terrorize the towns people too much, yes?"
A few seconds pause as Mello thought that line over, and then, he laughed. It was a genuine, unrestrained laugh and it forced Celestria to turn on her heels to look at him. There was a look of delighted surprise in her sparkling eyes and a warm smile on her lips. "I'll try." Mello finally managed through his sniggers. And seeming satisfied, Aaron and Celestria took their leave.
Being left to his own devices, Mello didn't really know what to do. The warm feeling of having the company of two of his most dear friends, left him, as they did, leaving him feeling empty and cold. Now that he wasn't able to talk to them (argue) his mind wandered back to Matt and all the horrors his poor redhead must be facing.
He didn't want to think about it. But he couldn't help it. All he knew, was that he had better be alright, or there would be hell to pay.
- - - -
He had made it this far in such a short amount of time, it surprised him a little. Was it because he was in such a hurry to please Light? Was that what was making him move forward with such blind determination? Crossing the North Atlantic hadn't been nearly as difficult as he had first suspected. No, it had been quick and simple.
Well, whatever the reason, he was glad that his trip was drawing to a close. He was thirsty and he missed his home.
"Przepraszam, sir. Czy chciałbyś sobie kawy?" (1.)
He blinked his eyes open at this. Standing in front of the small table he and Mello's mate were seated in, was a young waiter. He held a white mug in one hand and a pastry of some sort in the other. Kyosta licked his chapped lips before replying in fluent Polish. "Nie mam pieniędzy ..." (2.)
The young waiter smiled a shy smile before setting the coffee down on the table along with the pastry. He brushed his jet black hair from his face and it was then that Kyosta realized the boy had come over to try and flirt a little, not just to bring him some coffee. "Bezpłatnie." (3.) The boy whispered.
A small smirk spread across Kyosta's pale lips and the waiter's face turned a light pink. "Dziękuję." (4.) Then, he picked up the mug of warm coffee and took a long drink from it. It was really sweet and it smelt delicious, but, it wasn't as though it would really do much for him, but he didn't want to be rude to this surprising act of kindness. When he set the mug down, there was a slight shuffle as the young waiter pulled up a seat and sat down opposite the purple haired vampire.
"Wyglądasz zmęczony. Długiej podróży?" (5.)
Kyosta smiled and nodded. It had been a long journey indeed, and even though he was a vampire, it had still worn him out quite a bit. He licked his lips once more, wetting them. He noticed how the young waiter kept stealing glances at Matt, who was still sleeping, though, Kyosta had sat the redheaded human down in a seat beside himself with the teen's head against his shoulder so it looked as normal and casual as possible. "Mój chłopak." (6.) He said quietly, gesturing to Matt.
The waiters eyes flashed with jealousy before he stood from the chair, and, with a fake smile he said. "Baw się dobrze twój kawy." (7.) And left. Kyosta couldn't help but chuckle. Humans were so easy to mess with. He turned his attention to the sleeping redhead and caressed his cheek. Mello's mate really was lovely. It almost pained him to think that the poor boy would be tortured and most likely killed when he presented him to Light.
It...pained him to hurt his cousin as he was doing now by separating him from his mate. But he was under Light's command; there was no other option but to follow or be killed.
With a sigh, Kyosta stood with an arm around Matt's waist to keep him up against the vampires side. After making sure that no one else was around -lucky for him he had chosen to sit outside the small Cafe where no one went, seeing as it lead to a narrow strip of alley lined with cramped homes- he tossed the redhead over one shoulder, keeping a tight hold on him before he ran down the alley, blurring in his speed and disturbing some clothes that hung from the rows of cloth lines hanging about the alley.
- - - -
"Mello," Celestria began in the concerned mother tone she had adopted since he had showed up at the Ball. She stepped up onto the large rock Mello was sitting on and sat herself neatly beside him. "You should probably feed. It will improve your mood and keep you strong for the long swim."
Mello didn't reply for a long while. His eyes were focused on the blood red sky before them; the sun was slowly sinking into the water in the distance, turning the water red as well where it touched. Soon, they would be able to move again and he would be able to tear into the throat of any vampire that got in his way of getting Matt back. Then, he sighed. "Any blood that isn't Matt's just doesn't taste right anymore."
The female vampire nodded. She understood Mello's reasoning, but the blond needed to understand that he had to feed for his own good. "You will be of no use to anyone if you're weak, darling." She smiled kindly at him when the blond turned to frown at her. "Here," From the front pocket of her hoodie, she pulled a water bottle filled with deep red liquid and handed it to Mello. "figured I'd have to bring you back something because you'd be too stubborn to go hunt."
Mello hesitated for two short beats before taking the bottle from her. He felt his fangs throb painfully. The sight of the blood was making him incredibly thirsty, and as much as he would hate to drink strange blood, he knew he had too. And he was hungry damn it! So, with a groan, he uncapped the bottle and brought it to his lips.
He was chugging the blood down greedily. It had been a while since he had had blood, Matt's or not, it had to do.
"We came across a heard of cattle not far from here. I'm sure the farmers won't mind that we took one or two." Celestria was watching the sunset as Mello drank. "In no less than five hours, we will be in Russia. Are you prepared?"
The blond licked his lips, getting any blood that might have stayed there. Was he prepared? He thought he was, but then again, he didn't exactly know how things would go down, so, in truth he wasn't. No one was. Celestria knew it too. It was obvious that she was asking something completely different. She was worried about him.
A small smile spread across Mello's lips. "As prepared as I'll ever be." And it was the truth.
"I'm glad."
-
The sky was darkening and this was their cue to move.
The vampires all moved toward the waters edge, some whispering to each other, others mumbling to themselves, but all came with out a seconds hesitation. This was it. From here on the war had begun. There was no turning back now that they had gone this far, but, Aaron asked anyway. "I cannot assure you that we will all make it out with our lives, but I can assure you that this war will hold victory for us at its end. Know, that if you are to fall, that you will fall with my highest respect. I would say, that in a perfect world, everything would turn out as planned with no casualties, but, in a perfect world..." He chuckled, despite himself. "...we would not exist."
Though Aaron had only whispered this small speech, lips hardly moving, all the vampires had heard perfectly, and they were shifting on their feet uncomfortably and nervously. Of course they were afraid. Mello would have thought them fools if they weren't. Death, even to an immortal was not taken lightly.
"Keep to the deeper parts, please. We don't want to be spotted from anything above." Aaron moved to the front of the group; Mello noticed that all the vampires were wearing out doors clothing. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts and hoodies. When Aaron reached the front, he sighed and whispered. "Safe journey. We'll be seeing each other again in France." Then, with a last look at Celestria, he moved into the water, the others trailing behind him.
"Come, darling." Celestria gestured for Mello to follow her behind the large group. People on the docks and piers were watching in awe and confusion, mumbling about some cult and suicide or something like that. Mello tried his best to ignore them as he watched Aaron disappear into the water along with most of the others until he and Celestria were the only ones left. "One deep breath should do it." She smiled and had to stand on her tip-toes to place a kiss to the blond's cheek. "Almost there."
Then, they both disappeared into the water. It wouldn't be long now.
- - - -
Finally! The sweet smell of Russia made his muscles weak with euphoria. He was home again; successful in his mission. Light would be happy, but...he still couldn't help but feel immensely guilty about it all. What had this human done to deserve the wrath of a power crazed vampire? Nothing. The poor boy had simply fallen in love with a monster, and now it was going to come back and bite him in the ass. Oh well.
Shit happened.
St. Petersburg was still in full swing of movement and commotion. Tourists and locals alike mingling and going about their lives. None of them suspected a great war and it was funny, as Kyosta watched the smiling people take picture after picture of themselves, would they smile the same way once Light had succeeded in enslaving the human race?
Because, if they convinced the New Orleans coven to join them, they would have the largest vampire coven in the world. No one would be able to oppose them. They would have the world at their feet.
- -
'Mail, baby, leave! Get out of here, please!' His mother shouted. Bruises ran up from her neck all the way up to her cheeks. 'Run!'
'No, mom. Not without you.' He replied in a calm tone. On the inside though, he was a nervous a wreck. His hands were shaking at his sides, but his expression was controlled and determined; though all that changed when his fathers belt came into view. Then, his whole body shook in fear of the object. His expression was one of horror and when his father ordered for him to turn around, he did. He turned around, palms flat against the bedroom wall, despite his mothers cries for him to just leave.
'Alessandro, no! Leave him alone, please!' She begged, her sobs breaking up her words but they managed to somehow come out clear. 'Please!...'
The first time the belt came down; he was able to keep from crying out in pain, but the second one stung like a bitch. 'Aah!' He cried out. He could feel the blood oozing from the wound in his left shoulder and slowly work a wet, warm path down his back. His shirt was sticking to the blood, and it hurt so much! But if it kept his attention away from his mom...if this bastard beat him instead of her, then he would endure it.
There was so much pain. So much white hot pain, but, as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone along with his mothers cries. He turned around, ignoring the pain in his back. It was hard to see, but he could make out the heap of person on the floor at his fathers feet. His mother lay there, unmoving and he knew that the bastard had killed her.
'Mom!'
BANG!
- -
"Mom!" His voice echoed and came back to him in shouts before they became whispers and soon faded. The room was so cold, so empty. Though he could see nothing, he just knew it must be empty. He could feel it. The loneliness. There was something over his eyes, a blindfold, it felt smooth and cool against his skin, but that didn't make the fact that he actually had one on any less unnerving.
That nightmare...of his parents. Had it been a coincidence? Or had that vampire had something to do with it? Matt figured that that was most likely the reason. His breath was echoing around him and he knew he had to keep calm. "Mello?" He called out. There came no response, except his own voice.
'Mello...Ello?...Ello?...Lo?'
Matt grit his teeth. He felt so alone. Where was Mello? Was he okay? Was he still alive? No! He couldn't think like that. He had to believe that the blond vampire was fine and kicking the snot out of his cousin right about now for kidnapping him. To his annoyance, his hands were also bound together in what felt like handcuffs, up above his head. They were most likely hanging from the ceiling just like in those scary slasher movies. He gave them an experimental tug and he shivered at hearing the loud clanking of metal as the chains keeping his arms up above his head echoed about the room.
"Fuck you!" He shouted. To anyone. He didn't care who, he just wanted to express his annoyance and anger.
When his voice had finally stopped echoing, he heard the soft 'click' as a door opened and soft footsteps approached him. Matt couldn't help himself; his whole body reacted to the fear that had suddenly dropped into his stomach like lead and tried to scramble away from the footsteps.
"Is this him?" A soft chuckle. "He's just a child! My, how Mihael likes the taste of sweet blood." This voice...he didn't recognize it but he already knew that he didn't like the person it belonged to. And if he wasn't chained up this way, he would have said something, but since he had no way of defending himself, he kept quiet.
"He is." It was Kyosta this time. "But their bond is strong. Mihael loves him."
"Mm, I see. Well then, lets introduce Mihael's lovely friend to some of ours?" More footsteps as the vampire he didn't recognize moved closer and bent to kneel beside him. A cold hand caressed the side of his face and Matt flinched back. "How would you like to meet my mate, Matt...was it?"
Matt didn't reply.
"Hm. Well, he's been wanting to meet you. You see, he loves meeting with new people." There was a soft rustle of fabric as the vampire stood once more. "B," The vampire called out casually. The single letter sounded so menacing, but Matt couldn't figure out why. "He's all yours."
Their footsteps moved back out toward the door, and there was some mumbled conversation that Matt didn't quite catch, but he knew it could be nothing good. For him anyway. The door closed with a soft 'click' and new footsteps moved toward him. Despite himself, Matt squeaked; "Who are you?"
He wasn't expecting an answer and there wasn't one so he jumped in surprise when something heavy, like a bag of some sort, landed beside him with a loud clatter of metal and what not. "It's B." That letter again. It was the scariest thing he had ever heard. The vampire's voice was deep and smooth, so much so that it almost reminded him of L. But this was not L.
"Care to play a game?"
I so butchered the Polish language-facepalm- haha ah, well. Correct me if I'm wrong:
1. Excuse me, sir. Would you like coffee?
2. I have no money.
3. Free.
4. Thank you.
5. You look tired. Long journey?
6. My boy.
7. Enjoy your Coffee.
A/N: Yes, I wanted their conversation to actually be in Polish, since Kyosta was in Poland. Bite me. Now, what to say about this chapter...Its long as fuck, for one. But you knew that. It switches POV's but I'm sure you can keep up. B is introduce as Light's mate -it was Light btw if you hadn't guessed- so, you like? I do. Matt's going to get the shit beat out of him though. Erm, thats all? Oh! Yes, Aarons coven is swimming...or, more so, deep sea diving/swimming to france haha yeah. No time for planes, kiddies.
Reviews are nice.
~ Matt.