Captured Hearts
Chapter Thirty-six: The Neglected
Science Center for Supernatural Beings- Japan Branch- Centaur Enclosure- 9:00 AM
Byakuran was in love.
It wasn't as sudden of a development as it seemed, but to Byakuran, the discovery came as fast as his hooves could beat the ground. As the leader of the centaurs, and as the strongest and most beautiful of the centaurs, he had realized that he was also the least loved. He began to daydream, and to watch his fellows with his sharp, amethyst eyes, watching how the muscles moved, watching how they interacted with each other and with other species. He watched Hayato and Takeshi, how the centaur played with his mate; he watched Ryohei and Lussuria, how that tamer fawned over him; and the new development that was the most intresting, he watched Lambo and Reborn. Byakuran hadn't seen Reborn come out into the pasture before at all, but now, visits seemed regular. And sometimes, he caught Lambo blushing around that tamer. And then, Byakuran realized that he wasn't the only one without a mate.
There was a centaur with a white pelt, covered in black spots, and long, wavy teal hair. Byakuran's good friend, Kikyo. The more Byakuran saw those sandy tan hooves beat against the ground; or that decorated pelt twitch and writhe with the muscle beneath; or the bright, blue eyes that shone in the sunlight; the more attracted he became to the other centaur. But he wasn't very fond of this new development. Byakuran wanted to find a beautiful pega-taur mare or stallion to become his mate. Not... well... not Kikyo.
It was on one particular day, however, that Byakuran's loneliness got the best of him. He trotted up to Kikyo, and the other centaur instantly bowed, his front knees touching the grass as his human half bowed low. Byakuran took a moment to gaze at the raised hindquarters revealed to him, licked his lips, and reached down, before placing his hands on the other's shoulders. "Stand up, Kikyo," he said softly. The centaur shakily rose back up, and bit his lip.
"Yes, my Lord Byakuran?" he breathed. Byakuran stepped forward, and took each of Kikyo's hands in his own, moving closer until his forehooves were right next to Kikyo's.
"Today, just call me Byakuran," the halfbreed said in a gentle tone, before leaning in. He brought himself right up to Kikyo's lips, his eyes closed, and he lingered there for a moment, his body screaming for him to go farther, his head screaming to move forward. But he couldn't bring himself to make the final move. He began to back up, but he realized that he couldn't move. He wanted to kiss Kikyo. He'd seen it occur so many times before between couples, and he wanted to have that comfort for himself. He couldn't back off, nor could he couldn't move forward, but Kikyo could. The centaur leaned up just slightly, and Byakuran closed his eyes tightly as their lips touched. He was stunned by the movement even further, but somehow, he was able to regain his mobility. He wrapped his arms around Kikyo's human waist, and brought him closer, making the contact of their lips more forceful. The hybrid soon backed up, however, his face dusted red, and he whispered, "Kikyo, I..."
"I love you," Kikyo breathed, looking away. "Byakuran, I'm sorry, but I love you. I know you hate crossbreeding of any sort. I know you don't like me in that way. I know, all right? But... please... just this once... let me have the moment..." The appaloosa turned, and started to walk away, but Byakuran wouldn't have it. He grabbed on to the teal tail, and roughly yanked it back, making a yelp of pain pass through the lips which had just kissed him. Byakuran then gave the other's flank what was meant to be a flirty slap, but it made Kikyo whirl around and rear up. "Don't!" he cried. His hooves hit the ground once more, and he shouted, "Spare my feelings, Byakuran! You idiot!" The hybrid stared as Kikyo galloped away, shocked by the reaction, then, knowing that he needed to beat his wings and cool off, he moved to the back of the pasture and lied down.
Lambo soon trotted over, and lied down in front of the other halfbreed, his face nervous. "Byakuran?" he murmured.
"Yes, Lambo?" Byakuran sighed.
"Try being gentle with him," Lambo suggested. "I know how you feel about Kikyo. I can see it in your eyes."
Byakuran frowned. "Mind your own business, you damned stupid cow," he said, his voice laced with venom.
Lambo's expression instantly fell, and he stood back up, then walked away. Little did Byakuran know or care that the other hybrid was on the verge of tears.
Meanwhile, in the vampire enclosure...
Hibari sighed, fastening his belt, and grabbing his shirt. "You all right, Basil?" he sighed. The younger vampire nodded, and also stood, although he was slightly unsteady on his legs.
"Thanks," he sighed. "I guess."
Hibari watched, his eyes pitying the younger vampire as he limped away, and he blushed, reaching down and brushing a hand over his waist. He was sad that Basil's current envious state deprived him of his love, making him come to Hibari only to mate out of sense of duty- whether it was through blood exchange, or the type of mating that they had just recovered from.
"Cousin," Fon greeted, walking up to Hibari. "Come to the hunting area. A werewolf wants a word."
"All right," Hibari grunted, following Fon out to the hunting area, where Mammon waited at the door. "Mammon?" Hibari greeted. "What's up?"
"I need help," the werewolf whimpered.
"If it's about Bel, then I'm sorry to say that I supported Fran from the beginning," Hibari said. Mammon's ears fell at the mention of a particularly tender topic, and he bit his lip, steeling himself to speak again.
"Rasiel wants to take me," he murmured.
"Rasiel?" Hibari repeated. "Bel's brother, right?" The indigo-haired werewolf nodded. "So what do you need my help for?" Hibari asked.
"Should I let him become my mate?" Mammon asked, trying to resist his urge to tuck his tail between his legs as shyness overcame him. "I mean, werewolves are typically monogamous, but when their mate is lost..."
"Forget tradition, Mammon," Hibari said, reaching out. He placed his hand on the werewolf's chest, and murmured, "You need to go with what your heart craves."
Mammon blushed, and moved his hand up, placing it over Hibari's. "My heart, huh?" he sighed. "How do you listen to your heart when your mind wants to block it all out?"
"It'll take a while," Hibari replied, his eyes glinting with the rememberance of a time where he asked himself that same question. "It'll work for you eventually though, I'm sure." Mammon sighed, and gave a nod of agreement, before taking a single step back.
"I'll be back in the enclosure," he sighed. "Thank you for your time."
Hibari sighed as the werewolf left, and walked over to the pond where Basil was fishing. "Hey, Basil," he murmured. "Do you still love me?"
"I will always love thee, Lord Hibarin, that's how true love works," Basil replied in a cold tone. "Just like how your true love belongs to Mukuro Rokudo." Hibari leaned in, and gave his mate a kiss on the cheek.
"I love you, too," he protested. "You're sweet, and cute, and you're a wonderful mate. I can't say the same about Mukuro." Basil's face turned color, but he didn't respond, giving Hibari permit to continue. "I love Mukuro because he's so bonded with me through his blood. He can be cute, and he can be kind, but more often, he chooses not to." Basil sighed.
"My Lord, I wish not to have this coversation," he replied. "I love thee as much as thou lovest the beauty of roses. I love thee as much as a merperson lovest the water. I love thee so much that I would readily die without thee."
Hibari hung his head. "I apologize for my earlier actions." Basil sighed, and came in, then bit down on Hibari's shoulder, giving gentle sucking noises as he drank. Hibari was relieved to find that the younger vampire was swallowing his blood, yet at the same time, a certain guilt welled up inside him to find that he had been betraying the younger for so long. As he closed his eyes, a smile crossed the elite vampire's face, and he whispered, "I love you, Basil."
And he knew that Basil loved him too.
-End Chapter
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