It Started With a Kiss

There were rules for these things. You never went against the rules. No exceptions. The moment they broke the rules was the moment things would unravel. The moment they broke the rules was the moment they began down a path they had to finish.

Also a S/O to my very first reviewer and one of my loyal readers miesie-chan. Your ideas in the review for IJB story made me lol.

Chapter 3: tension?

Rikku was deep in thought as she rode her stallion early next morning. She had not felt like eating so she went out to watch the sunrise without letting the cooks or entourage know. She evening dressed herself and left out quietly. She personally just wanted to be alone. As far as possible. She knew there would be a panic throughout the castle at her absence, but she had no problem venturing out on her own. She wished they would let her more often. Any consequence she will meet, just have to be faced later. Her father will lecture her and she will bat her eyes and he would sigh and give up.

The grounds of the palace were huge. To travel the entire grounds would take maybe a day or two tops. That didn't stop her from wandering far into the woods of the grounds. The trees were tall reaching and lined almost perfectly. She trotted with her stallion as his hooves crunched the debris beneath him. She felt the breeze of the morning caress her skin. She had her hair in a tight ponytail and had put on proper riding attire of slacks, a blouse, and boots. If no one knew her, she could easily pass as a noble person's stable girl. She sighed at the though. How she longed to be a part of a world where her royal duty was nonexistence. Just a taste of it would be enough to last her a lifetime. She felt like a caged bird here and…she felt alone.

Just at that thought, she heard a rustle far off in the forest. It was a loud rustle and…it was coming closer. A thought was that it may be birds but a deepened growl disproved her suspicion. She felt a panic and her gut said run. Run fast and hard, but do not look back. So she turned her horse, which had become spooked by the noise and took off toward the castle. She must have gone pretty far because the tree seemed to flash by her forever. The growl though suddenly turned into a roar and despite her better judgment she looked back.

Hot on her stallions tails, with fangs the size of her entire hand, was a beast she had never seen before in her life; given most of her life was spent inside castle walls and on cleared castle grounds under watchful protection. Now she knew why there was such heavy protection. The beast had broad shoulders and a dash like a lion, the similar appearance of one as well but it was as fast as a cheetah. Its size was as large as her stallion yet its vicious appearance was nowhere near majestic and welcoming. She feared for her life. The beast gained on them and showed pure murder in its eyes. It lashed its claws at the hide of the stallion once and just barely combed the tail. Rikku let out a shriek of fear that echoed through the grounds.

"HELP ME!" She cried out.

Was this how it was to end? Will she really die without truly living?

Rikku's heart ached at the thoughts. And the beast lunged at her horse once more, this time clawing its leg. It tumbled over and she flew from it quite a distance. She expected the beast to sink its claws into her. She faced her death from her sprawled position on the ground to find that was not the case. Her horse lied unharmed, in shock but unharmed, and the beast seemed occupied by an unexpected savior.

She watched in amazement as Gippal, the last person she expected to come, stood against the beast in a test of strengths. The fearsome thing had stood on its hind paws and towered over Gippal. Yet he showed no fear. In fact, as her attention was caught by the horse that had regained composure, raised and ran away, she just barely missed him throw the beast into a nearby tree. She heard a crunch and then the sliding of metal as Gippal unsheathed his sword and thrusts it into the beast's heart. It wailed out in pain and struggled a moment before Gippal dug it deeper and ended the beast. Rikku was awe struck for words and even more surprised at what Gippal did next.

Kneeling by the beast, he places a hand by his sword and pulls it out, whispering "I am sorry our paths crossed in such a manner. May your soul be at rest."

He then raises, sheaths his sword at his side, and comes to hers in a matter of steps.

"Your Ladyship." He says as he comes to her aid, offering a gloved hand. Those were riding gloves, like she wore, but she saw no horse. The realization made her notice her stallion was gone. Worry about many things ran through her mind. She worried about her horse, herself, her consequence. Would another beast appear? Her mind swam.

"My Lady, all is well. Please don't be unsettled. "Gippal speaks to her. His voice somehow calms her. She gives him her hand and begins to stand, only to feel a sudden pain in her right ankle. Before she can wince, though, Gippal has her in his arms bridal style.

"You came to save me." Rikku still couldn't hide her shock.

"I am sorry I did not come earlier. You took off quite suddenly, that even your mind didn't foresee it." Gippal seemed upset at her injury. His face seemed gentle yet saddened somehow.

"Y-you were nearby?"

"I am always nearby." He says to her as if she should have already known this. She looks over his shoulder at the beast.

"That beast was twice your size and so vicious, how did you possibly overpower it? Why did you even attempt to challenge it? That's pure self-immolation." She couldn't fathom that thought crossing anyone's mind to challenge that to save a damsel.

"You are no mere damsel, my lady. You are my whole purpose of being. There was no doubt in my mind that once the beast had threatened your safety, it had to be eradicated. "He told her, looking deeply into her eyes. "Facing it was of no difficulty. I am impeccably stronger than I look; Stronger than the tolerable mortal man."

Rikku looked at him and for the first time since his arrival, she felt completely comfortable around him. It may have been the Hero-effect she was going through, but she didn't wish to leave his arms. He seemed more majestic than when she first saw him. How it was possible, she didn't know. She didn't even blush at the thought. She was so wrapped up into the thought, she hadn't noticed they had reached the clearing and were being approached quickly by 2 guards on horseback.

"Princess, are you harmed? Do you need assistance?" A guard said immediately upon stopping his stead.

"I am fine. I merely injured my ankle. A beast, that I did not recognize, attacked me and my stallion. But it is dead now, thanks to the assistance of Gippal. It lays just a few passes back the way from whence we came. I wish it disposed of immediately." Rikku explains. She watches as one guard, probably the head, orders the other and a second that had arrived to do as Rikku wished.

"May I assist you to the castle? " The guard offered. That meant she would have to leave Gippal's side. She didn't want that.

"No need. I will require you to go fetch my stallion, if you please. He ran off during the attack." She instructs. He complies without question and leaves. Gippal does not acknowledge her thought and continues towards the castle.

She had to assure many of the servants that she was fine, while Gippal said nothing and did nothing but hold her and take her to her bedroom. She could call for a doctor once she was there. After the ordeal of the matter, she only felt safe with Gippal around and she was in her own space. He maneuvered so gracefully and at ease that she didn't even feel the journey to her room. The guards opened the door to her room and Gippal took her to her bed. Setting her down gently, he backs away and stands at attention. She misses the feel of his body immediately but neither she nor he said anything.

"I must once again apologize for your injury, My Lady. I have broken a promise to you; if you see punishment fit I will gladly acquiesce upon your honor." Gippal says without flinching. Rikku looks at him confused. Then she understood. He promised to never let harm befall upon her and she had so easily injured her ankle with him no more than a small distance away; in such a short period of him being around. She shook her head. This was no big matter. She could be quite clumsy at times. None of this accounted to his courage and good meanings. He had saved her life, without a second thought. Nothing could discredit this deed.

"Gippal, there is no need of an apology or punishment upon your part. It is I who should be giving an apology and gratitude." She says. He slightly raises an eyebrow. She didn't understand why. Had he not read her mind?

"I haven't been acting very much like a representative of my country. We are a gracious place and I acted as if I had been burdened with your presence." She began to speak more from a revelation that was oncoming for quite a moment. "When, as you have stated, a being such as yourself is given rarely. For that I am sorry. I promise to treat you with the respect you deserve if you will still have me as your companion."

He smiled so genuinely to her and said "You are forever my master. I have never seen you as less. The graciousness of your words falls humble upon these ears."

She blushes and shifts but the pain from her ankle reminds her of her predicament. She frowned.

"Father will be quite put out at my injury. It's so close to my Coming of Age Ball and I still must practice my dancing. I won't even be able to take my first dance anymore. I will have to tell him when he returns." She frowns. This displeased Gippal.

"My lady, if you will have me, I can mend your injury and The King would never be the wiser of this." He offers. She looks at him confused. How would he do that?

"It will yet again take a simple kiss." The moment Gippal said that, it brought back the visions of what Rikku saw during their last kiss. How could he handle to hold so much? That kiss alone was something a common human would go insane over. And he looked as though nothing bothered him in the world. She looked to him and knew he heard her. Sighing she diverged her eyes to the booted ankle that felt as though it had swollen. She wanted answers.

"You may answer my thoughts…this once." She said.

"The power we hold is quite overwhelming, especially to a human, but being a celestial being, it is not hard to fathom. We are raised to accept and learn to utilize this power. So, although many things are happening right now in me, I can easily focus without stress. Over a century of effort has aided me. "He explains. " And this kiss will be different from the one we shared before."

She decides to trust him and nods. He kneels by her and takes her right calve in hand. Gently he removes her boot. The ankle, that had already begun to swell, is moved to rest in his palm. And she watches as he bends his head to place a kiss on her ankle. Its light and she barely feels pain in her ankle. What she did feel was a tingle. It originated from the places he touched and slowly eased its way up her leg to her knee. She also noticed his skin seamed to gleam. A glow she thought he couldn't make more beautiful emitted from him. And the tingle got stronger. She couldn't take her eyes off him. The glow became brighter and she had to squint. It was like looking at the sun.

But…the sun made her…..light headed….so light….

Close your eyes.

A voice said in her mind. She found it hard to disobey and deep down knew this voice was Gippal's. The moment her eyes shut she was in a strange state. She knew she was not awake, yet she also felt she was not dreaming. It was as though she were in a realm atmosphere of darkness. She was floating without the ability to move; neither drowning, nor fighting to leave. It was peaceful. Or maybe it was not this tenebrous spread that made her feel at ease. Perhaps the cause came from a mellifluous voice that called to her from a distant place.

'Open your eyes, My Lady. The brilliance of your orbs is greatly missed by those adept enough to partake upon the opportunity.'

She couldn't see where the voice was coming from but a small orb of light slowly appeared in front of her. She reached her arm out to it and it got brighter. Just as her fingertips grazed its essence, the darkness began to feel different. She could suddenly feel a ginger touch against her skin. It was odd to feel. As though rubbing silk against something less glossy and plush. She turned into the touch as her mind cleared and found it intoxicating. Her eyes fluttered open and came to focus on a site she has more than once found breathtaking.

"Gippal..." She whispered, not knowing why but questioning what had happened.

"Am I still allowed to answer your thoughts? Or would you rather I stay to your original request?"

She doesn't quite register his question at first. She instead takes in her surroundings. It seems to be she was moved to lie in bed. The room was a bit tinged in orange hues, indicating the day was coming to an end. She shifted on the comforter and found she was no longer wearing her chaps and blouse, but rather clad in an evening gown. Not one of any fancy matters but a common one among her things. She usually wore this when she was just walking amongst the castle. How had she changed? She looked to Gippal. He waited patiently for her.

"You may." She said unsure. He brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"I have healed your ankle and in doing so you lapsed into a stasis like state. It is nonthreatening due to the fact that I am the one who put you into it. It is often used by Sires to sustain the minds of those we use our more advanced powers on." He explained. She digested the information and like always she only had more questions. He had so many powers and abilities.

"A…A sire has so many abilities. Just what exactly is your purpose if you can do anything?"

"Well, I can't do just anything but it is a vast of things that isn't beyond my capabilities. As I have said, I have had years of training and with it, a plethora of knowledge and skills." He said. Something in the way he spoke made her heart beat a bit faster.

"So…" She swallowed. "What exactly are Sires used for…mainly?"

It didn't take him even a moment of hesitation to answer. "Sexual pleasure."

Th-Thump. Her heart slowed but to a heavy beat.

He continued. "The Sire is a much desired being; and for good cause. No human can compare to the experience with a Sire. It is not necessarily that they do not hone the skill, because I'm sure there are Casanovas who can make any woman bend to their will once they've bedded them. Yet even those men lack what a sire has. "

"Do you have a magic…..extremity?" She asked. So innocently it was funny. He chuckled at her question and how she had a problem mentioning his 'extremity' as if it were taboo.

"My 'extremity' is of no magical means, but it is yours to do with as you will. So please do not feel uneasy to speak about it." He says, "The difference we have only happens with our masters. And it is an incomparable sensation brought upon by the contact of our skin."

"So your skin is magic?"

"My Lady, please, don't believe everything is magic." He chuckles. She blushes "But if that is how you would put it then yes. Only, it is this way when in contact with yours. You are what makes it…magic. No one else."

Before she could ask what he meant, his hand could be felt at her ankle, sliding along the smoothness of her skin. Electricity erupted wherever his hand met her leg. It was like static and she began to see that slight glow once more. She didn't know if he would go any further but she needn't worry. He took his hand away.

"But you may see that when you are ready." He told her. He smiled at her contently and she felt her heart flutter. He was a dream. There was something that was drawing her to him but she didn't know what or why. He broke the silence.

"Shall we dance?" He asked. She looked at him confused.

"You have been asleep for quite a few hours and have missed your dance instructor. I can serve as one to replace the session you missed because of my powers. I promise to have you ready to take your first dance come your ball. The nobles and royals will dazzle not only at your beauty but your graceful skill." He spoke in such an enticing way that her heart begged her to say yes.

"I am not dressed to dance at this hour." She told him. They both knew it was a simple attempt to make excuses.

"You need not be. We can dance here. Your room is more than spacious enough. " He said rising from the bed. He offered her hand, which she slowly took. He slowly walked her to the middle of her bedroom, his hand still having that static on her skin. She couldn't take her eyes from his.

"And for the lack music?" She challenged.

He smiled. "What lack is that, your majesty?"

And probably as cleverly as he had planned, the softest melody embraced her. It was …the lullaby Gippal had hummed the first night and played the second. It sounded as though a small orchestra was in the room with them as he took his slight bow to her.

He up righted and took form as she accustomed herself to him as she had been taught to. They slowly began to waltz. Maybe she should have been focused on the steps they were taking but she couldn't seem to focus on more than him. They glided as though their feet were never on the ground; twirling and spinning on the sweet notes of the melody. Nothing could intrude this moment. Nothing could break this moment. This dance only further showed her just how special he was. And it dawned on her, with him she could do anything. Never had she had felt this free. Nothing held her back.

Nothing held her back… She could….go anywhere. Do anything. Be anyone. Suddenly she saw the world that was once so far away, at the tips of her fingertips. And it was all thanks to him….

'Thank you…' She thought. Suddenly the rules were nonexistent.

"You're quite welcome" He whispered to her as he twirled her, but what he failed to say was that there were rules. And neither of them could do anything to go around these certain rules. It was just a matter of when a certain Sire would let a certain Albhed Princess know.

There were rules….and you never broke the rules.

…ever…

Soooo that's chapter 3. I enjoyed showing more of the numerous abilities of the Sire. I know many still want the bio of a Sire and the rules but until then how about we hear some of your ideas? What do you think the rules are? I'll only say that there are 4 rules. That's it.. lol So yeah,

What do you think the four rules are?

How do you feel about Rikku's change of heart and how do you feel about Gippal's character in this fic?

R&R until next chap.

Xoxo,

Ayata-Ayumi