House of Random [stories]

[Random Ms K]

new inside short stories

Spoiler

new Misfits: Butterfly with the Blood-filled Wings ( AC Story Contest winner July'12 )

Spoiler

Misfits:
Butterfly with the Blood-filled Wings

1
Syrienne looked at her computer screens that displayed the thousands of people in Silverlight City dancing around holographic bonfires, wearing shiny masks and intricate wigs that sparkled in the artificial light. Of all the sections she’s been to, including the infamous city on the golden sea, Silverlight was her favorite. The people were friendly, the streets were constantly lively with different festivities and parades, but most importantly, the love of her life was born here. He looked out of place—the only black pepper in a sea of salt—when Syrienne first met Rheen Featherstone with hair as black as night like her own, eyes the color of the vilest soul, and skin as golden brown as honey. She wanted to know everything about him instantly. Why was he the only one different in this section? Were they from the same section or was he really from the city on the golden sea? He was like a put-together puzzle that she wanted to destroy just so she could put the bloodied pieces back together.

She turned to look at him, her captive man with what looked like a demonic butterfly tattooed on his lower abdomen. Pointed wings curved down to his thighs and up around his ribs in an intimate embrace. A possessive… embrace. Her hands balled into tight fists, her black-stained lips peeled back to reveal her teeth in a bitter snarl. How envious a simple little creature made her. When he first agreed to come home with her, she’d tried various methods—burning, skinning, etc.—to get that abomination off him and replace it with her own mark, the spider, but without fail, the damned thing would return to taunt her. But she would have the last laugh, though. She always did.

As for her love, there will always be a “special” place for him with her. She wanted to devour him completely and keep him locked away inside her heart and so she decided to put the painful process into action.

Again, her attention was forced back to the people dancing across her computer screen. It was a shame they all had to die. She laughed as she spun, shaking her hip in rhythm with the tune the people bellow so joyously played. She didn’t want another Rheen to be created so she’d just destroy where he’d been born and everyone in it and move on. A little flash of regret sprung in her chest at the thought of losing this beloved city before she shoved it back down, locking it in a place never to be opened again. Spiders spilling from her mouth, Syrienne started the countdown to when the sky over Silverlight exploded into a rainbow-colored utopia and multi-hued stars rained down.




2
She watched with mixed emotions as her comrade stared down his gun at the small child helplessly begging for his life. Tears were streaming down his face, his small, delicate hands rising to show he was unarmed. He’s just a child, but then again the devil comes in all forms. It’s too hard to imagine that just hours ago, this small puff of nothing is the reason more than half of Bronze City and Silverlight were effectively taken off the map. Millions upon millions of lives destroyed.

Melrose Goldenage focused hard eyes on her comrade. From the way his shoulders bunched and his breathing became shallow, she could tell that this would be an unwelcome task even for him. She never liked head-strong Etienne “Clifford” Redheart, Mr. Run-into-every-situation-without-a-plan, Mr. Let’s-get-everyone-including-himself-killed, but in this moment, she completely understood him. She watched as sweat formed on his brow, his gun hand trembled, indecision clear on his face. How do you justify killing a child? He shook his head as if to clear his mind, his shoulder-length red hair fell over his eyes that hid behind yellow tinted sunglasses.

The boy inched his way over to him, hesitant on hands and knees. “I d-didn’t do it!” he cried. “Honest! I didn’t!”

Emotions ran over Etienne’s eyes before they settled on determination. “Where’s Rheen?” he asked. Melrose was surprised yet proud that her partner’s voice managed to stay steady. Every one of the Misfits in the north was a bit shaken up—some still are—when their boss, Rheen Featherstone suddenly went off grid. The 6ft tall man had hair as black as knight with blue highlights that went in waves down to the middle of his back. He hid his beautiful, obsidian eyes behind completely black sunglasses for whatever reason she couldn’t remember. He was everything she could want in a leader—strong, compassionate to others, yet merciless in the field— but he wasn’t perfect else he wouldn’t be the head of SYRHEN in the north, the band of Misfits. Regardless, she wanted him back.

The boy looked up in confusion and a hint of fear as Etienne repeated his question with more force, his chubby fingers gripping Etienne’s pants leg for dear life. He knew something. He knew something about Rheen’s whereabouts! After two and a half years… finally! Taking out her own gun, she stormed over to the pair, shoving her weapon against the boy’s temple. “Where is he!!?” she shouted.

The boy flinched, and then stopped crying. He slowly turned his head, hysterical tears no longer running down his wet cheeks. His emotionless eyes stared bullets through her even though she was the one with the gun. She watched as something swirled in his eyes before they changed color altogether. No longer straight black, but blue with little flecks of gold in them. “Rheen? Rheen…” a feminine voice slip out of the boy’s lips. He—she?—tested the name on his lips a couple more times before shaking his head in defeat. “Nope, nope, don’t think I know the name Rheen. Did ya try posting his face on one of those floating billboard thingys? Whatever ya call them, they can be very distracting you know. Speaking of distracting, you look very distracted right now. Can’t tell if that’s a good thing or not, can ya? Ya know, since ya have a couple guns to this poor little baby’s head and all. Isn’t your hand getting tired? I bet it is. The longer ya keep ya hand in that position it’a start trembling and ya won’t be able to aim straight, but since ya got it pointed at the baby’s little temple, I don’t think that’d be a problem for you, hm? You on the other hand,” the voice said, staring back at Etienne who just flipped his phone closed, his gun foolishly put away, “are an idiot, but not as stupid as you look. Damn!”

Melrose frowned. As the voice continued babbling about nothing, she tried hard to place her accent. Her speech was poor, without class and unattractive. She must have been from Stoneridge hidden in the Mountain and Melrose made sure to comment on it. The voice stopped mid-sentence and started clapping, the boy’s head tipped back to a joyous shout of excitement. “Very good Mel-Mel! Very good!”

“Who are you?”

The boy paused again, a serious expression sliding over his too-innocent face. Once again, he tipped his head back and smiled in content. “Happy,” the voice finally said, “I am happy.”

“Happy because you destroyed a whole city and half of another one?”

“Eh…? I suppose that’s quite true. Hey! Would ya look at that; everyone has finally come to play!” Melrose and Etienne looked up in time to see the Misfits’ Hummer skid to a halt, the three remaining men of their gang busting out with guns blazed.

“Mel-Mel! Mel-Mel!” the excited voice shouted. “There’s a storm-a-comin’!”

She heard a loud pop causing her to flinch before the boy’s eyes became lifeless. He went limp and fell forward into her waiting arms. How do you justify killing a child? You can’t. Even if the boy was responsible for annihilating two major cities, even if she wanted desperately to find her leader, she still wouldn’t have been able to take his life. Looking up, she saw Nicky, the sociopath of the group, blow her a kiss. It took everything she had to keep from wasting what she’d eaten this morning.

Three more gunshots sounded and the boy jerked three times which caused her eyes to shoot back up. Their eyes connected and hell. What the hell was his problem?

He shrugged. “My hand slipped, but it’s not like he was gonna be any use--” He stopped talking and looked at the horizon with disbelief, excitement, and then horror. “Shhhhhiiiiiiiiit…” he said low and easy before turning around and beating feet for the Hummer. “If yall don’t mind getting your asses to the car so I can get the hell outta here—shit!”

Horror dawned on them all. What started out as a simple storm cloud quickly became a wall of black water from the ground to the sky that appeared to be rushing their way. No, not rushing. *Crawling*! “Spiders?” Melrose asked, her voice trembling with fear. She knew she shouldn’t have been afraid of them, but she was. They’re smaller than she is. Those gross *things* supposed to be afraid of *her*! “They don’t look so small to me Griffin,” she whispered to her twin brother standing two feet away. Her attention was drawn back down by something sharp digging deep into her forearms.

The little boy’s mouth was sketched impossibly wide as four spider legs as long as legs of her own struggled to come completely out. It stopped as if noticing her attention before continuing the struggle in earnest. The legs kicked, squirmed and stabbed at her in attempt to find something stable to help it escape the boy’s body.

Her breath left her as strong hands wrapped around her waist and carried her fireman style over to the waiting Hummer. Melrose eyes were only on the boy being torn up from the inside even after the door was slammed in her face.

“Raury, get us the hell outta here!” Griffin shouted.

“It won’t shift gears, hold on,” came the calm reply. The large spider was finally able to wiggle its way out and the child’s body slowly deflated as hundreds of tinier spiders ran from inside him. The ominous wall of black waves inched closer. Melrose finally allowed her eyes to lock on Raury. “Raury…” she whispered. “I’m on it baby doll.” “Raury!” “Hmph…” “Raury, if you don’t get us the **** out of here now, I’ll kill you my damn self!”

He was able to put the car in reverse and whipped the car around. Melrose flew forward as Raury floored the gas and raced backwards towards home, stopping only once to put vehicle in the correct position.




3
Melrose felt awful. There was something—a million somethings—crawling around underneath her skin and no amount of scratching or rubbing would make them stop. It took everything she had not to empty her stomach here in the car.

On second thought…

She hacked and heaved, her insides tearing her apart. “Griffin,” she gasped for breath, “Help me!!” Melrose screamed, tears streaming down her face even knowing that all her dear brother could do was hold her in his helpless embrace. “Gawd, Mel, we can’t stop. Tell me what to do.”

“We have to kick her out,” a voice that sounded suspiciously like Etienne announced. She never like him, but that didn’t stop the feeling of panic and betrayal from welling up. Griffin and Nicky would never allow him to do such a thing, but she started crying harder anyway. “She’s no use to us this way, and when that wall closes in on us, an abled body would be more helpful than baggage!”

“Shut the **** up, Etienne, or you’re the one getting thrown out,” Griffin growled. “We don’t freakin’ leave our teammates behind. You do everything reckless and stupid—sometimes without cause—so what you just said shouldn’t even really surprise me, but so help me, E, if you don’t shut that whole in your face, I’m going to put a bullet in it.”

“You shoulda let me kill ‘im a while ago little rose,” Nicky said around the cigarette in his mouth from the front seat.

She smiled around her tears. She loved her brother. She even felt some affection for Nicky which would have been more if he wasn’t such a psycho. After that thought, she gave up the losing battle and vomited. Right in Etienne’s waiting lap.

Their smug look of satisfaction was short lived though. What came out of her mouth wasn’t pink or liquid with chunks of food in it, but small and black with eight legs. “Why?” she thought as the small critter ran in a circle then stopped to look up at Etienne. It took slow, hesitant steps towards his arms before he finally found the courage to kill the thing. That action started another round of heaving causing a few more spiders to spill from her mouth.

Her body trembled in realization and defeat. So, without further hesitation, she jumped in the back, lifted the door, and tossed herself out. She heard Griffin call out her name before he jumped out himself, running after her followed by Nicky. She let a sob at their idiocy as the flood gate opened inside her causing hundreds of tiny spider to pour from her heading straight for the Misfits’ Hummer.

Raury stopped the car? Why the hell would he do that?!

Griffin ran to her, embracing her, as she watched Nicky—with four cigarettes in his mouth?—take out his shotgun and start blasting away. A foolish, useless attempt. Raury, and even Etienne, stood beside her, the spiders pouring from her mouth quickly covering their lower legs. Then everything went black and the wall hit them before she felt nothing but pain, and then…

Nothing…




4
“No!!” Syrienne shrieked, as she held her head, trying to alleviate the aching throb. Her body danced, writhed in pain, as blood poured in a steady stream from her mouth. “I was gonna kill them,” she gasped for breath. “I was gonna kill them!!!! Why Rheen? Why? You choose them—THEM!—over me? Tell me. Tell me.” She shrieked in frustration at his silence, clawing desperately at the spot where her heart was supposed to be. “TEEELLLL MEEEE!!”

She turned away from him.

“SYRHEN, section in the east, is on its way. I suggest you prepare yourself,” he stated calmly even as she laughed in his face.

“No they’re not,” she replied, “They wouldn’t dare come here. Who the hell do ya think created SYRHEN?!” She laughed again. “I—am—SYRHEN.”

“SYRHEN was made to—“

“—serve and protect innocent lives?” she laughed without mirth, “No, Rheen. It was made for a selfish reason. If you give a killer a license to kill, what do you think he’ll do? My friends needed an outlet. Too many of them were dying for stupid reasons, so I wanned to give them a cover so they can keep doing what they love. In ancient Greek myth, the sirens would lure foolish, innocent sailors that were ignorant enough to sail too close to them and destroy them. They wouldn’t even know they were dying, trapped in a state of pure bliss, until it was too late. An appropriate name for us, don’ ya think?”

She smiled as she fell to her knees. “How’d ya get out?”

He looked into her lifeless eyes. “When blood fills a butterfly’s wings, it doesn’t die, it flies.”

new A Friday Morning with Dorian

Spoiler

A Friday Morning with Dorian

If it was one thing Dorian Micheals knew for certain is that he hated Fridays. Freaking Fridays! Whoever came up with the phrase “TGIF” needs to get shot in the face. And how could he forget about Lucky Charms? Freaking Luck Charms was screwing with him again. His glasses kept flying off his face at the most random, most inconvenient of times causing him to nearly have 15 accidents, 2 near death experiences and a deer going insane by looking in his eyes and jumping in front of a Semi truck. He could forgive all that and more if it wasn’t for LC’s stupid obsession with trying to kill his dog every Friday. Dorian didn’t even know his eyes could affect animals until a little while ago.

Freaking Lucky Charms.

“Stop trying to kill my freaking DOG!” he shouted, causing people to give him cautious looks. This, in turn, caused him to laugh. If only they knew about the evil that lived behind his eyes, they wouldn’t dare be so bold to look his way.

His Evanescence ringtone brought him back to reality, and he answered the phone with a loud “What?”

“Is that how you’re answering the phone now?” an amused voice replied.

Damn. He knew he should have checked to see who it was first.

On a sigh of defeat, Dorian cleared his throat. “Hello Sebastian.”

The dull laugh on the other side of the phone made him smile. “You’ve been avoiding me lately, bro, what the hell? After everything I’ve done for you, I would think you’d be grateful enough to answer the phone when I call. Honestly, I’m ashamed to call you my friend. I was beginning to worry about you, D. For a second, I thought you were at death’s door.”

Dorian made a ‘hmph’ sound. “Would you have come to my rescue, then Sebastian, had I been knockin at death’s door?”

“If I was certain you’d die, of course. You’re my favorite after all.”

He didn’t know why that was funny, but his best friend’s rough laugh was welcome. He somehow always knew when it was appropriate to make an appearance. And when he said “appearance,” he actually meant “phone call.” Sebastian’s been doing a lot of disappearing acts lately and it’s been a while since they’ve seen each other, so when his friend called, the least he could do was pick up, but he was just so easy to ignore.

Dorian tried to remember how Sebastian Delmonte looked the last time they saw each other. He was a handsome man, you could say. The man kept his hair bleached white and he had deep brown eyes that made people think of a freshly polished wood table. He was a bit shorter than Dorian, but that didn’t keep him from being more intimidating.

Next, Dorian remembered how the two of them met in the first place. For some reason, Sebastian was hell bent on trying to kill him. He knew enough to know to never catch Dorian’s eye for the sake of losing his sanity. The man was fighting with his eyes closed which was too insulting for words. In any case, that was also the day they became friends and the day Dorian received his special glasses. When he had on his glasses, he was allowed to look people in the eye without them losing their minds.

Unless Freakin LC pushes them off.

“Hello!” Sebastian’s sing-songy voice penetrated his thoughts. “You there baby?”

“Yea, I’m here doll face. Listen. LC’s been acting weird lately. Not only has he been jumping around in my head, saying “found her, found her, found her” repeatedly, he’s being too cruel today,” Dorian’s eye twitched behind his glasses. “Man, I think these glasses you gave me are wearing off. Even one accident with Lucky Charms is one too many.”

“Shall I come to you then, Do-ri-an?” Sebastian asked in a sexy murmur, pronouncing each syllable of his name in a way that always made him a bit uneasy.

“No,” Dorian replied after a while, scratching his head in discomfort. “I’ve been trying to get to Pandora’s so I can get a gift for my Lynnie and I don’t need any more distractions.”

Pleasure erupted through his chest at the thought of seeing his dear, sweet Cerulyn—spelled with a “y,” named after the color of her eyes. He chuckled at the words she sung to him when they first met. At first, he didn’t know what to call their relationship. Friend’s with benefits maybe, but she considered herself his permanent mistress, which would make sense if you take into account all the flashy stuff he’s bought her for no good reason; including the one he’s about to buy her.

The thing about his Lynnie is that for some odd reason, he didn’t have to worry about his eyes around her. Lucky Charms was either that afraid of her or held that much respect for her to deem her worthy enough to live. Whatever the case, he was able to be normal and look at people without his glasses. He could stare her straight at her without her going insane and trying to kill herself. When he was with her was the only times he felt at peace with himself.

“I was running on a tread mill earlier today and my moobs sagged so low that I tripped,” Sebastian’s voice sounded in his head. He completely forgot he was on the phone.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, nothing. Welp, now that you’re talking to me again, I’m gonna forget you exist for a while.”

“Why is that?”

“You didn’t think I’d be hurt by your sudden abandonment?”

“But--”

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you another pair of glasses before I forget about you.”

“Sebastian, you’re not being reasonable.”

“Yep! Ok, love you, bye-bye,” he said, hanging up before Dorian had a chance to make a smart reply. But honestly, he didn’t really think Sebastian was that torn up by his absence.

Walking up to the door of Pandora’s, Dorian flinched. His eyes were throbbing again. Dammit LC, would you leave me alone for 15 minutes? Please! he shouted in his mind at the little man in green hiding behind his eyes.

His phone when off again, and just as he was about to answer it, his glasses flew off again. If he didn’t close his eyes and fast, with the amount of eyes beginning to turn his way, the amount of deaths on his hands would be horrific. For some reason, tough, he couldn’t manage to force his eyes closed. He couldn’t even blink for a second. Damn it! There’s too many people! Enough! he screamed in his head and was given a cruel laugh of excitement in return.

Panic was starting to take over, which was never really a good thing. When he panicked, he lost control of LC, giving him free reign of his body. Like what happened three years ago when the little bastard caused a therapist to go insane and nearly kill herself by swallowing the contents in a pencil container, thinking it was water. He promised not only Sebastian and Lynnie, but himself that something like that would never happen again.

So he quickly looked upwards.

Which resulted in a couple of geese purposefully flying into broken branches on a tree that was too sharp.

Which resulted in children crying and several people gasping and shouting in horror.

Finally, he was able to close his eyes and he did so with relish. Sighing in resignation, he opened the door and continued onward. The sooner he got to his Cerulyn, the sooner he could forget himself with her. For as long as he lived, she would be the only one he’d ever give free reign over his body. If he could lock her up and keep her with him always, he would, but that’d only depress her.

Dorian closed his eyes again and laughed without mirth. Freaking Fridays. 16 near accidents, 2 near death experiences, a deer jumping in front of a Semi, and now a flock of geese impaling themselves against a tree.

“I really,” he sighed, speaking to himself aloud, “hate fridays...”

SYX

Spoiler

Syx

What could he say about love? The damned word has been thrown around so much that the meaning of what it was intended to be doesn’t mean anything anymore. And now this silly little chit wearing a ridiculously large red ribbon in her hair is making a fool of herself, standing in a room full of knights and nobles, professing her so-called love to some unfortunate soul. Really, he felt embarrassed for the poor bastard.

Laughs of amusement echoed around the room as the girl stumbled over her words, apologized, and started again from the beginning. He watched as her face and neck turned beet red with embarrassment, and suddenly wondered if the rest of her would have that same beautiful blush under a different kind of emotion.

So maybe he may have spoken too soon. The poor bastard may not be so unfortunate after all. He finally allowed himself to really get a good look at the girl since she started this farce. She was housed in a color of deep red—like a harlot would wear; he smirked—with a golden floral pattern. The gown clung to her in places a man would like to put his hands, then puffed and fanned out at the bottom. It was the fashion now-a-days even though he didn’t understand why, but it did allow him to play with his imagination. Were her hips wide? Was her bottom shapely? Or was she like the trunk of a tree—absolutely flat. He couldn’t tell much just by looking at the top half of her. She wasn’t flat, but she wasn’t not-so-flat either. The fact was, if she was or wasn’t, he’d never find out. It just wasn’t fair!

And then she said the words that both saved and nearly damned him. “Sir Maverick! My beloved golden knight who’s face—I mean fierce, um, ness! Um… I-I’m s-sorry.” And then she started again. Dear lord, she started all over again. “My dear Golden Knight! You don’t yet know me, but more than the air I breathe, I love thee. I love thee more than the Song Bird’s melody that fills my heart with such joy. I love thee more than…” Her words were lost, drowned out by the sudden uproar of laughter.

And still she continued to speak.

By God, even as mesmerizing as she was, he would put a stop to this. Now.

:O

Could anything be more embarrassing? Linette thought as she finally came to the close of her declaration. She supposed a little embarrassment for now couldn’t hurt as long as she reached her end game, so she waited for the laughter to die down and for Syx Maverick to take her in his arms. She really didn’t mean to call his name (really, what kind of name is “Syx”?), but out of the 47 wealthy “Golden Knights” that Gaia found acceptable and controllable, Maverick was the only name she could remember. As the Sixth son of the infamous Duke of Halsberry she should have been proud she remembered his name even with the exception that his father holds no respect for him and he has no inheritance, but then again…

“You will stop this at once!” a deep, male voice whispered a tad bit harshly in her ear as he yanked her back against his body.

Offended, she jabbed her elbow against his side which caused him to curse. “What’s your problem?” he grunted. “You touched me,” she replied matter-of-factly. “I’m about to be a married woman, and the only man allowed such liberties is,” she jabbed her finger at his chest, “Syx. Maverick.”

“I am Syx! Maverick!”

Ut-oh…

Linette had a hard time remembering names; she didn’t think about adding faces to the names. She looked around for guidance from Gaia. Did he see her shock? Does he know this is all an act? Did her moment of confusion just ruin everything? It must have for Syx turned away from her to maneuver his way through the crowd to the door.

“Syx!” she called out, panic seized her. “Syx, my love, wait!”

The room quieted, amusement and anticipation was heavy in the air.

“My love, call me yours,” she whispered.

D:

He stopped even though all his senses screamed at him to leave. This could only end one way if he stayed here—badly. His gaze slid to his father surround by his fellow battle-hardened nobles and wondered what was going on inside the old man’s mind. His Grace was in his cups, he knew, and being so made him crueler than he was sober.

Father and son made eye contact, and with that, Syx knew he was damned. Again. Jacques Maverick’s face looked distorted with evil, twisted amusement that usually meant he was about to make someone’s life a living hell. Right now, Syx was his only target in sight.

Yeah, he should leave. Right now. Come on Syx, one foot in front of the other.

“My love, call me ours,” the wench called again, louder this time. Her voice, so soft, slid over him, held him captive in a fist that refused to open. “Call me yours. Now or later for I intend to be your wife!”

Once again, her words damned him. He looked back at his father who fell out of his chair laughing, pounding his fist against the floor, throwing his head back to roar his amusement. The laugh would sound joyous to anyone who didn’t know Jacques, but Syx knew better.

“Damned if I thought you’d be the first of mine to get married, boy!”

“I have no intention of getting married, father.”

“Oh, but you are. I approve!” he shouted. “I will it and it will be so! What’s your name, girl?”

“M-my… my n-n-name? It is, uh. My name is L-Linette, your Grace.” She gave an awkward curtsy that made Syx flinch and a chorus of chuckles to go around the hall.

“L-L-Linette?”

“Yes, you Grace.”

“Come now, mouse, you no longer have a right to be shy. You’re already getting my son, but I’m still curious about what house, what power you’re bringing to my name.”

“Your Grace?”

He gave an exasperated sigh, then turned to look at Syx with that twisted amusement of his. “You really know how to pick ‘em, don’t you,” he said as if Syx was the one that started this whole mess. “What house are you from L-L-Linette?”

“The house of Eversly, your Grace.”

Jacques stood, shocked.

“Eversly? Eversly you said? You’ll have to forgive my shock, Linette, for the last time I was at the house of Eversly, their daughter was sickly, practically at death’s door, yet here you stand. Declaring love for my son who you’ve never met.”

Linette gulped so hard it hurt as she looked around at the puzzled faces. It had never occurred to her that they’d mistake her for Eversly’s daughter. Yes, she was from Eversly, but no, she wasn’t the woman that was basically a living corpse. She felt sorry for Lady Avery—the woman trapped inside her own body. Wanting to die yet being denied that right by her parents. How sad that is.

“I’m afraid that’s my fault,” a feminine voice that sounded a lot like Gaia announced.

“Since when are you friends with Eversly’s daughter, pet?” Gaia’s “husband” asked suspiciously.

“Darling, you know I grew up next door to Eversly. Why, Linette and I are practically sisters. Though they have bared the doors to you, they would never dare do such a thing to me. I make her too happy,” she smiled up at him before she turned to me. “In fact, it was the stories I told her of Sir Maverick—the very man that saved your life—that gave her reason to survive. And look at her, love! She’s gorgeous! A great man he is to make sure you came back to me alive and well!”

Gaia’s husband nodded his head in approval. Linette never understood how Gaia could lie so easily. She even sniffed a bit and made fake tears to emphasis how relieved she was.

“Doesn’t anyone care what I want or think…?” Syx’s defeated words reached her. She must have been the only one who was paying attention to him; everyone else’s attention was on the living corpse—herself. Suddenly feeling guilty, she was left standing there, watching as he turned on his heels and walked out.

“Syx,” she breathed as her feet carried her after him. “Syx, wait! Am I so bad? Is there someone else you love? Stuff like this happens all the time!”

“It does not happen to me!” he yelled, wheeling around to face her, his fist slamming into the wall beside her face. “I go unnoticed; this doesn’t happen to me.” His breath was heavy; his eyes trailed down the front of her body before making a tortuously slow ascend back up. His eyes lingered on places that made her fidget. “Syx?” “It would wipe that smile of my father’s face if I were to be happy with you,” he whispered as his face inched closer to hers. “Have you ever been kissed, Lady?”

“No,” she whimpered.

“Would you like to be… kissed, Lady?” He ran his fingertips up her cheek, down the curve of her jaw, over her lower lip as his eyes compelled her to say yes. “Yes?”

“Yes,” she said, and as his lips covered hers, she forgot about her deceit and Gaia’s fortune hunting plans. She forgot about Syx being nothing more than a tool to living comfortably. She forgot about him being one of 47 golden knights who can go to war one day and never come back. Now, she thought about his strong arms around her, his hand fisting her hair, tilting her head to the side to take more of him. Linette knew she was drowning, but she didn’t know if that was a good thing or the beginning of something terrible.

***

Because everyone thought Linette, the daughter of a cook and a maid, was the living corpse of Eversly, Lady Avery, Jacques’ plans to have Syx married to her as soon as possible got pushed back until the Maverick family could arrange everything with Lord and Lady Eversly. The problem with that is the fact that she wasn’t Eversly’s daughter, and when they arrived at Umberg Hall, everyone would know it. Not to mention Gaia’s happy ending would be ruined with her “husband.” What would happen to them then? It didn’t take a magician to know that Syx would never forgive her for the deceit, and her parents would be cast out in shame.

Linette shook her head in denial. Things weren’t going as planned, but perhaps she could change Syx’s mind about postponing the marriage if she made him fall in love with her before Jacques and his family headed out next month. Gaia would find someone to marry them. It’s not like an event such as this would go unnoticed, but if he can love her enough to see past her deceit—

“Well, that was certainly interesting!” Gaia’s sing-songy voice interrupted her thoughts. “I thought you were going to ruin everything. Darling Linette, why on earth would you want to make them believe you were Avery?”

She actually looked a bit disgusted, Linette wasn’t sure if she should be offended or not. It’s not like it was her idea in the first place, and she told her so. “Why on earth would you suggest I be put through this nonsense? You know I’m not good at lying. Syx is going to find out sooner or later that I’m not Lady Avery. And what if he’s to go to war and never come back before we get married. Then what?”

“You’ve forgotten that there’s still 46 other options,” Gaia replied, flapping her hand about as if that action would make all their problems disappear. “Syx is as dispensable as my current husband. If he were to unfortunately die before you could rob him blind, grieve for a day or two, and then move on. But let’s be realistic. Syx isn’t smart enough to figure anything out. Now, I’ll be heading out to Umberg Hall in a couple of days to make the usual drop off and I’ll come up with something before Jacques arrives.”

Gaia laughed at an inside joke. “I rather like Jacques Maverick, don’t you?”

“No, actually, I don’t…” a low masculine voice called out.

Linette eyes widened. She didn’t even bother turning around to see whose voice that was; she could feel the weight of Syx’s stare on the back of her neck. She should have known better than to talk about such a thing in the open where anyone could come across them. Gaia should have known better!

She whimpered as he pulled her against the hard length of his body. Dear lord, she was going to die by the man she wanted to love. It’s over; it’s all over before it even began.

*

Gaia panicked, her feet carrying her home to her husband as she thought of a way to save her Linette. She messed up. She knew Linette was going to ruin everything, but she didn’t think it would be so soon. If her friend would have just kept her big mouth shut, things would’ve been fine. She would have gone to Umberg Hall, come up with a way to make sure everything went smoothly, and within a year, she and Linette could have moved on. But now Linette could possibly die. If Gaia didn’t move fast enough, she would die.

She ran into the clearing where she finally spotted her husband and she screamed for him. She screamed for all she was worth. He turned and opened his arms to her which caused her to jump into them. “My love!” she cried. “My love, it’s Syx. He’s gone mad! Out of nowhere he attacked me and dragged Linette off. I swear it! He had murder in his eyes! I swear it!” Her husband grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “You’re not making any sense, pet. Calm down.” “I cannot!” she panicked, thinking quickly. “I’m pregnant, you hear me? I’m pregnant with your son and he attacked me. Do you not care? Do you not love me? You know—everyone knows—that he has no intention of getting married and his father has no respect for him. He must have snapped. You must… you must kill him, my love. For me and you son, and Linette (dear lord, it might already have been too late)!”

At her husband’s grim look, she knew she’d get her way. He’d get his friends to see his way and kill Syx, Linette would be saved and they’d disappear. She’s already collected enough currency from her husband that it’d be ok if they lived on their own. She prayed nothing went wrong. What would she do if she didn’t have Linette? The girl as a bit thick in the head, but Gaia loved her. And so she waited there for her husband to return with Syx’s head and a safe Linette.

“Everything’s perfect,” she mumbled as she bit into her thumb. “My plan is perfect, I am perfect—he’ll come back…”

A Happy Insane Thanksgiving

Spoiler

Madame Magnet’s Home for the Mentally Insane
November 2011




I can’t believe I’m back at this hell hole. On Thanksgiving of all days. I wouldn’t even be back at Madame Magnet’s Home for the Mentally Insane after all I went through to escape this place, if it wasn’t for my best friend, Samuel’s, insistence. Sammy was also admitted into MMHMI for the simple fact that she thought her stuffed squirrel, Sir Jenkins, was real and she continually had one-way private conversations with the thing.

“I know you don’t want to be here, but we should at least stop by and say Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends,” Sam told me in her adorable Russian accent, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. She couldn’t care less about coming back here either. But a certain someone named Sebastian would rather have a once-on-a-lifetime moob reduction than spend time with my Sammy. So now I’m stuck with her.

I shrugged and sighed in defeat. I don’t even know what a moob is.

Why was I admitted in to Madame Magnet’s? Well it all happened a little over three years ago. Long story short, I used to be a therapist until Dorian Micheals, a beautiful caramel colored man with the most monstrous green eyes known to man, walked into my office and stared straight into my soul with those mesmerizing green eyes of his. Since then, my normal world, filled with danger at every corner, has now turned deceptively harmless. Since then, what would normally be a decorative cup filled with pens and pencils now looks like a glass of water; what would normally look like a toothpick now looks like a Q tip.

I sighed again and looked over at my best friend’s stuffed animal which caused my stomach to growl. What would normally be the cuddly Sir Jenkins was now a juicy, greasy, delicious-looking, fat-filled double cheeseburger from Mickey D’s. The only time I’m allowed to have some relief from my insanity is every Friday. Unfortunately, Friday isn’t today.

“You two got some nerve showing your asses back here,” Madame Magnet’s rough voice came over the speaker. “The hell you want?”

“Aw, come on MaMa it’s Thanksgiving!” Sammy whined.

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

“Yes! We’re your kids and you love us, Sir Jenkins too! Now feed us Turkey.”

Madame Magnet inhaled her cigarette smoke and blew it out slowly. “You hurt my pride when you two left, you know.

Ok, this conversation isn’t getting us anywhere.

“And you had the nerve to have us hunted down and nearly killed because of it,” I countered, a bit agitated now. “If you paid closer attention to how your keepers were treating us, like you do now, we probably wouldn’t have such an urgent need to leave. You know what, you old, bald hag? Happy freaking Thanksgiving to you too. We’re leaving Sammy.”

Samuel was too buys have a deep conversation with Sir Jenkins when I turned to her, giving a serious nod of the head in either understanding or agreement every once and a while. Once again, I sighed and shook my head. I have no idea what my friend was thinking when she insisted we come back to say hello to our old friends. The old hag was never known to be so easily forgiving.

What did surprise me, though, was that when I turned back around to yell at Sammy, the door to Madame Magnet’s Home for the Mentally Insane was wide open and the devil herself was nonchalantly leaning against its frame. Now I know I called Madame Magnet an old bald hag, but in reality, the seemingly non-aging woman before me was beauty incarnate. Her dark-as-night green hair was a river down her back; her almond shaped eyes housed interesting purple contacts. She had nice curves in all the right places and she wasn’t afraid to show them off or use them to get her way. The cigarette looked perfectly placed between her voluptuous scarlet lips that curved downwards in a frown.

“The hell you callin’ a hag?” she said in the familiar rough voice that didn’t sound like it belonged with her sexual appearance.

“I called you an old, bald hag to be precise.”

Her eye twitched at the insult, but instead of reacting how I expected, she tilted her head in a “follow me” manner and walked inside. So, grabbing my poor friend’s hand, I followed her in.

“So what did you cook for us this year Madame Hagnet?”

“Ms. Arian Christian,” she called out over her shoulder, “You don’ think it’s too early for you to come back here expecting anythin’? You… don’ really think I’m that quick to forgive. Have you learned nothin’ this passed month?

I stopped abruptly, my grip tightened on Samuel’s hand. I knew it was stupid to come back so soon. I knew better and yet I foolishly agreed anyway. “Come on MaMa. This whole thing is water under the bridge.” I said as I reached my hand in my pocket and reluctantly dialed the one person who could get us out of here as quickly as possible.

Madame Magnet inhaled again. “You’re right,” she said, a concerning triumphant look claiming her features. “Water under the bridge.”

Panic started to take me. I looked to Sammy who as still talking to Sir Jenkins, then looked back to my phone.

Dammit Dorian!

Voicemail.

We were both grabbed from behind and forced to the ground. I made a move to push up and get into a fighting stance, but a heavy weight fell on top of me, knocking the breath right out of me. Looking once more to Sammy, I could see tears of betrayal forming in her eyes as she looked up at Madame Magnet.
What was worse, Sir Jenkins was then violently ripped from her desperate arms, which caused her to give a pained filled scream, before a needle was stabbed into her neck.

I thrashed and jerked, trying to escape to aid my friend. I’d be damned before I allowed another needle to pierce my skin without my consent again. No attempt was made, however. What did come was the feel of a meaty fist plowing into the back of my skull.

“Welcome home Ms. Arian. Ms. Samuel.”


“Do-ri-an! Do-ri-an! How I love my Do-ri-an! Always stay my Do-ri-an! If you ever leave me, I’ll freaking kill you.”

Dorian Micheals chucked. It would seem his mistress, Cerulyn—Ms. Cerulyn, spelled with a “y,” named after the color of her eyes—has finally made an appearance for their date. He looked at his watch and laughed again. “Hey you, how long were you planning to keep me waiting?”

“At least for another two hours, but I wanted to see you now, so here I am,” Cerulyn replied, giving a spin on the tip of her toes, showing off the outfit he picked out for her. “You like?”

“You know I do,” he said, giving a low, mock-growl as he drew her closer to him and inhaled the light lime and coconut scent of her hair. Dorian wanted to hold her tighter, his heaven, but he beautiful Cerulyn hated feeling constricted, so he had to settle with loosely draping his arms around her waist. When he was with her, he didn’t have to worry about the little bastard behind his eyes going kill-crazy for no reason. He could look people in the eye without his special glasses, when he was with her, and not have them want to kill themselves.

“I’m so thankful for you,” he said under his breath.

“I’m so thankful for you,” she said in reply even though he wasn’t expecting one. “So where we going, lovely?”

“Anywhere you want.”

“Oh. Ok, just checking.”

A few moments go by and Cerulyn broke out in laughter. “You’re gonna have to let me go, Dorian.”

“No.”

She laughed again. “Hey you, don’t you tell me ‘no.’ Your phone’s going off anyway.”

“Ignore it.”

“You sure? It might be Sebastian.”

Dorian flinched at hearing his useless best friend’s name. Sebastian, the bleach-blonde, brown eyed loser was the one who gave Dorian his special glasses that seemed to null the effects Lucky Charms cast on his eyes. When he wore his glasses, he could look people in the eye without them going insane; kind of like when he was with his Cerulyn, but not as peaceful as when he was with her.

Although Dorian would be forever grateful to his dear friend, he wouldn’t mind having a few decades away from the fellow that only seemed useful from the shadows—behind the scene. Not much help when Dorian was knocking at death’s door.

“I could do without him for a while. Now hurry up woman.”

The place she chose to go was to a deserted park. How romantic?

“I know I said this before, but I really am thankful I met you Dorian Micheals. I remember what it was like on my own before I met you. When my existence had no meaning. I can’t… go back to the way things were. I love you, Dorian. I love you something fierce. So you’ll have to promise me you’ll never go away. Promise me, now, that you’ll never leave me.”

He looked at her out the corner of his eye. Cerulyn’s always been possessive of him, but he didn’t really think it was really serious. Usually, this was where he’d tell a girl he was done with her, but with his only piece of heaven…

“You’ll never leave me, Lynnie,” he finally said, giving up and pulling her into the tight circle of his arms. “I will never let you go.”

And then he leaned down to capture her lips with his.


I can hear voices ringing loudly in my head. I try to make sense of what they’re saying, but it’s no use. As soon as I start to follow a conversation, it changes to something else. If I can open my eyes, maybe things would make more sense, or the voices would just shut up.

“Sir Jenkins, you’re just trying to cheer me up, but that death punch killed her!”

“I’ll bring her back. I was a doctor before I was Martin Luther King.”

“Shut up. No you weren’t.”

“Just do as the master wishes or you won’t get any potatoes.”

“Shut up with your freakin’ potatoes!”

“No, no, Mr. Jenkins, she said po-tay-toes. Like Chee-toes but with po-tay in front of toes.” There was a pause. “Right but they get mold after a while and then they get all soggy and stink like moldy feet.” Another pause. “Oh! Wonderful idea. MaMa! We want broiled tomatoes please!”

“Shut up talking so loud. You’ll wake my freaking baby!”

Well saying something like that defeated the purpose. A round of squeals and shouts went around the room at the “wonderful news.” That was Katherine’s mental illness. She had the crazy idea that she was pregnant, for three years or more, when in reality she was just a little thick. There’s nothing wrong with being a big beautiful woman. “Remember Kat, only a dog wants a bone.” I used to tell her.

“You had the baby?”

“Oh how wonderful.”

“You named it after Sir Jenkins like you promised, right?”

“I thought you were losing weight. Congratulations.”

My body popped up a little too quickly at this. Probably wasn’t a good idea because my head started killing me just as quickly. Katherine finally had the baby she’s been carrying for three years; she’s losing weight. Does that mean she’s getting better?

“You finally gave birth?” I asked cautiously, a bit taken aback by the prideful look in her eyes.

“It was time. And you, welcome back to the world of the living.”

Silence went around the room again as comprehension set in. Katherine was becoming… normal. She wasn’t planning to leave because she wanted to get away from the Home. She was planning to leave because she was becoming cured. As much as I tried to stop it, a powerful wave of jealousy hit me hard. It wasn’t fair. I should be happy for my friend instead of feeling the way I am, but tears still came to my eyes anyway.

“I am so happy for you.” I said, even though my heart was breaking. “I am just so happy and proud of you.”

“I am thankful for you, Arian. And Sammy, and MaMa too. If you two hadn’t left us so suddenly, I probably would have stayed the way I was. I would have stayed in my blissful bubble with my baby that didn’t really exist. It’s true, you know? When they say ignorance is bliss. But then one day, you aren’t so ignorant anymore and then what are you left with? Absolutely nothing. We do have something, though, don’t we? We’ll always have each other.”

“Well said,” Madame Magnet’s rough voice called out. She then cleared her throat and straightened her spine. I’d say it’s about time we ate somethin’. That’s what you two risked your sorry lives coming back here for, right?”

A thought struck me at that. “What the hell, you old hag! Why’d you knock us out, and be so cruel to Sammy?”

She waved her hand at the subject as if she couldn’t care that she could have given me a concussion. “You did kill someone I called friend.”

“That was justified!”

“Even so. That was jus’ my way of gettin’ revenge.”

I opened my mouth to reply until someone’s stomach growled causing me to laugh instead. It was decided, then, that we’d eat now and talk later. This was fine with me because my own traitorous stomach growled moments later.

The laughter going about and smiling faces around the room reminded me of how things used to be before Madam Magnet became too busy for us. This was the family I grew to love for the past three years. Things are beginning to change for us all. I just don’t know if it’s for the better or not. In Katherine’s case, though, I’m rooting for her to be happy. She is the one setting the example for the rest of us. An example that I intend to follow.

“MaMa! You forgot the broiled tomatoes for me and Sir Jenkins,” Sammy whined.

Her reply was cut off by violent shouting on the other side of the door and a loud banging noise.

“Dammit Dorian, I told you to check your freaking phone! But nooooo. ‘It’s ok Lynnie. It’s just dumb, bald Sebastian, Lynnie. Now shut up and let me give you my man kisses.’” The female voice gave an annoyed huff. Her impression of Dorian Micheals was enough to make me chuckle. It would seem they finally got my voice mail.

Three hours later.

“You can be such a man sometimes. I swear if Ari’s dead, I’ll never smile at you again.”


The two of them talking was annoying the hell out of Sebastian. When he got the call the Arian and Sammy were in trouble, he stopped everything he was doing—which wasn’t much—to rush to their aid. What he didn’t see coming was that working with his best friend would be something close to torture. Ever since he joined them to save Sammy, Dorian and Lynnie wouldn’t stop arguing. Well, it was more like she was doing all the talking and he was just taking it like a baby. If it was Sebastian on the other side of that argument, he’d have pushed her against the nearest wall and shoved his tongue down her throat just to get her to shut up.

Being the one to take the lead, again, Sebastian rushed forward and kicked in the nearest door open which caused female screams to ring loudly in his ears. Oh gawd, he thought in despair, I didn’t mistakenly walk into a cat house again, did I? Speaking of Cat house, he still owed Clazzi, the old fart who’s proved on more than one occasion that he could be a useful friend, for absolutely destroying his home a couple weeks ago. Yea, he wasn’t planning to pay that back any time soon.

Now the screaming was beginning to annoy him. He could always kill them all to get them to shut up, but not nice, so he combed his fingers through his hair and turned his swag on.

“Hello ladi--”

Something soft, black and furry was shoved into his face. Sebastian was almost certain that ‘something’ wasn’t a chest. Oh gawd, please don’t let this be someone’s chest. He wasn’t going to freak out over this. He wasn’t.

“Sebastian, Sebastian, I was soooo scared!” Samuel’s cute Russian accented voice was a bit too theatrical to be real.

So it wasn’t a chest. It was Sir Jenkins, he figured out, chuckling to himself. “Alright Sammy, that’s enough outta you. Get Arian so we can leave.”

“But it’s Thanksgiving,” she whined in response.

“Which is exactly why you don’t want to spend it at a Cat house.”

“I take offense to that.” The rough voice drew his attention to a drop-dead gorgeous woman who looked more like she belonged in the Japanese version of the mob than where she currently was.

Sebastian’s brows drew down in a serious frown, thinking her too-rough voice didn’t belong with her sexy-as-sin face. “Who did this to you, beloved? Who would dare curse you with the voice of an old hag? I swear I’ll turn you back to normal if it’s the last thing I do.”

The only reaction the woman gave him was a twitch of the eyebrow and a puff of her smoke. “Who’s this punk you brought to my home Ms. Samuel?”

“Sebastian isn’t a punk, MaMa, he’s our friend.”

She sighed, giving an elegant lift to her shoulder. “I don’ really give a damn who he is. He’s not welcome here. As you can see, both Ms. Arian and Ms. Samuel are unharmed, so you and whoever you came with can turn your tails around and leave before I get ugly.”

Sebastian gave a ‘hmph’ sound. “Well if you turn out to be as ugly as you sound, I might have something to worry about.”

Gasps went throughout the room and Arian stood up get between the two. She went on to say boring stuff he really didn’t care about, like how Thanksgiving was a time for friends, old and new, to get together and eat turkey and broiled tomatoes. Like he knew what a broiled tomato was? But the thing that got on his nerves was that she was talking too much for his tastes, so he sat down and started banging his head against the table.

“Shut up!” he yelled.

Well what do you know?

She shut up.

Now that that was settled, he told Sammy to fix him a plate and began eating. Dorian and his future wifey joined in too after a while causing everything to be peaceful for once today.

As it turned out, this whole day was being run by Sammy since Sebastian turned down her offer to spend the holiday with her.

“So wait a minute. You’re telling me this whole mess is your fault?”

“Yup. I knew you’d tell me ‘no’ for some reason, so Sir Jenkins and I cried to Ari about it. Then I said, ‘Hey, let’s go back to MaMa’s!’ At first Ari told me no so I had to start crying again, and then she said ok. MaMa’s not really known to be forgiving so we would probably be in trouble if we came, but that’s ok because I knew she’d call Dorian and Lynnie to come rescue us. They’d call you because you love me and we’d still end up spending the Thanksgiving dinner together, but we’re with everybody instead of alone. Aren’t you happy Ari?”

“Don’t you change the subject, woman, you played me. You. Played. Me. Of all people, you played me.” Sebastian looked betrayed, amused, and proud at the same time. He then started laughing without restraint. His guffaw was contagious, spreading throughout the room.

“Happy Thanksgiving Sammy.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Sebastian. We’re hanging out for Christmas, though, right?”

“Oh? Uh. I..”

“We’re hanging out for Christmas, though, right Sebastian?”

“Well, you see…”

“Right, Sebastian?”

He gave a sigh of defeat. “Yes.”

fanfics

Spoiler

A Life's Worth: Inuyasha fanfic [ongoing?]

Spoiler

A Typical, Tragic Beginning

Spoiler

A beautiful young girl raced to the outskirts of her village. She just knew something was wrong. Every fiber of her being screamed danger as she carefully approached a tall figure with a blood lustful aura. "Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru, what's wrong?" she reached for his hand before pausing. Her best friend, Rai, warned her about a demon's annoyance. Demon + annoyed = ut-oh.

"Lord Sesshomaru, why are you here? Are you… mad?" her heart skipped a beat at his lack of response. "Hey, guess what? I have another performance today! I would be honored if you'd come and see me."

She just knew she had him. She knew he'd calm down if he saw her again. All efforts failed, Sesshomaru ignored her and headed towards the village in front of him, desiring a way to kill stress. The young girl ran after him. "My lord! Wait! Please don't go. Take it out on me, okay?"

He turned to look at her, an acknowledgment that he was listening. The demon lord of the Western lands actually considered her proposition, but was torn between the decisions to cause her harm.

"I'm a fast healer," she continued, "you know that. If it hurts m'lord, I'll heal you! I can take it!"

"I'd kill you," he finally said as if that was enough to change her mind. His lifeless persuasion failed.

"One life or many more. You tell me, m'lord, what you'd do if you were in my situation? You can have my life. Ever since that day, my life has been yours to do with as you please."

Before she could get another word out, she felt herself drop and flip over. The beautiful young girl, age 7, tightly closed her eyes and dug her nails into the ground. Her Lord Sesshomaru would never actually hurt her. Her loves her right…? Right?

CRASH

Sesshomaru's poisonous hand went crashing down into the middle of her back, sending a jolt of paint throughout her system. She screamed. She screamed loudly. She gasped for air. It seemed as with every single breath she took, the poison spread inside her, his hand deeper within her. "Is it worth it?" he smirked silently, ripping his hand away from her, flipping her on her profusely bleeding back. "Well Aurora? Is it worth it now?" he asked again, wiping her tears away. She flinched at his touch. "No…"

Once more, he started on his way toward the village. He'd already decided on letting the poison consume her before he heard her strained cry, "stop!" she breathed, grabbing at his pant leg. "I'm… I'm still here! I can, can still service you… don't hurt them?"

Annoyed, Sesshomaru bared his mighty fang that was his sword at her and turned to speak. "Child, how are you still able to move let alone speak?" When all he received was silence, he added pressure from his sword to her neck. Blood stained his white pants. "Since you are still able to speak, I want an explanation."

"I don't h-have an answer to your question," she finally announced. "I'm sorry."

SHENK

Pulling the sword away from her neck, he plunged it deep within her heart. He looked directly into her unusually beautiful purple and blue orbs as she looked back. It was already too late did he realize what he just did. "Aurora…" he called out, composure breaking, sanity wearing away. Too late. Aurora, age 7, just lay there, still staring straight into his soul.

Dead.

Upset, ashamed, annoyed at what he'd done, Sesshomaru found his way to the village and killed everyone in sight.

…D:

Aurora woke up gasping for air. Why was she still alive? Didn't she die? "Why?" she wondered, pulling herself together and walking back to her own village. "Oh! What a pretty color! Hmmm. Wait a minute, why is everyone sleeping? It's morning!" she walked over to them.

Red everywhere.

"Wow! Such a very pretty color. Rai! Look! Look at it Rai!"

"…"

"Hey, wake up."

"…"

"Rai…" she pushed him, "look!"

"…"

A bit of loneliness and sadness came over her. What was everyone doing sleep when a festival of pure beauty was going on? What happened to Lord Sesshomaru? Can anyone explain just what the hell is going on?

Well since no one wanted to awaken from their slumber, she decided to join them. There was no point in staying awake if you had no one to talk to; no children to play with, no jobs to do, no grownups to harass. That must have been some party.

D=

5 days later, travelers discovered the village and started burying people. 5 days later, everyone was still under the spell of sleep. 5 days later, the beautiful color faded to something awful disgusting. It was hard to tell that these people were drunk on bliss just 5 days before.
Aurora woke up when it was Rai's turn to go six feet under. Scared, she rushed there with haste. "Stop it!" she shouted, panic clearly showing, tears coming to her eyes. "Stop it! Please don' be mean to him."

The travelers looked form one to another. So it seemed there were survivors after all. "Do you know of any who might still be alive child?"

"Stop! Rai's just sleep! Why are you burying him? You can't do this!" Her wild eyes looked from one person to the next. She knew they were saying something regarding her people, but she had no idea what was going on; or what will happen from here. "What are you saying? What do you mean? Everyone's just sleeping. They'll… they'll get mad if you wake them. They'll wake up one their own. I know it!"

Again, they looked from one to another. "Young one!" a fine man said firmly before his unforgiving eyes softened. "Young one, everyone else isn't waking up. They can't."

"No! They're just tired! You'll see. Mama! Show them!" she ran to her mother's lifeless body. She sat with her terrified eyes staring accusingly to the heavens, her mouth wide as if she would scream at any moment. She was clenching her new born baby for dear life. "Mama, Ai, you have to wake up now. They're being mean to everyone. Why are they doing this? Mama? Ai? Why? Why won' you wake up? Why won' you answer me? I'm sorry! I'm so sorry mama, please wake up!"

The young man grabbed hold of Aurora and held her close. How long has this poor little girl been staying, sleeping with these dead people? How long has she patiently waited for them to awake and welcome her with open arms? "Come home with us," he soothed, caressing weeping Aurora's hair. "We'll take good care of you."

"H-he… he wa-wasn' s'posed to!" she stuttered, gasping between each break. "I was, was s'posed ta be the only one hurt! The only one! He, he was neva s'posed ta harm, harm anyone else. It, it w-was our deal! Why did he break his promise? I, I'm all alone now…!"

Episode 2: The Cost of Life

Spoiler

*Alone…?*

The mighty hawk demon of Kinosha circled tauntingly above. "Is that all you have?" he screeched, "I've heard a deal o' rumors about you. The mighty White Demon! No matter how many times you knock him down, he always comes back. The hideous best is immortal! Yet here are you? I don't even sense your presence! HA! How path-"

How pathetic? Is that what he was about to say? Before he could finish, the "White Demon" severed his head with an arrow. "I am pathetic?" the White Demon laughed softly as the wind blew off the hood of the cloak, allowing you to see a beautifully grown Aurora.

Her long hair, running down to the small of her back, was wrapped with white lace, restricting it from flowing freely; black. Her eyes: focused blue and purple orbs. Her cloak blocked all from seeing her scarred body.

"I am pathetic?" she asked again, whipping the blood from his neck and looking at it amusingly. "Hm. Such a pretty color."

And another happy customer.

The life of an assassin was somewhat difficult, but at times interestingly rewarding. Your name becomes well known to many beings; both human and demon alike, both pathetically weak and strong as hell. Who wouldn't love this profession? Minus all the A- and B-class demons out for your head to prove a point, but besides that, it's de-freakin-lightful!

Surrounding herself within her cloak once more, Aurora walked back to her client's castle and threw the hawk's head before his feet. The women shrieked in horror, trying to cover exposed flesh with what little fabric they could find. Even some of them men jerked back at the sight of the beast's wide-eyed head. Her anxious, frightened mustered up whatever courage he could find to remove himself from his shiny throne. He poked the head of the hawk a little more times than was necessary before asking the obvious, "Is it dead?"

"I brought you his head," she answered, no life emitting from her voice. Nothing but icicles. 'You can keep it, of course, as a gift from me. I find humor in you being a coward with the constant need to have others accomplish things for you. But, because I am kind, I'll allow you to take credit."

What will you do young Lord…?

His face brightened instantly. It's been nearly 10 years since Aurora has seen a man's face go from disgust to glee in less than a second. "Ah! Perfect!" The young Lord exclaimed, drawing her from her thoughts. "May I now be so blessed to see the face of my savior?"

Her answer came out simple, cold. "No." if only he could see the disgusted sneer she was giving him now. Aurora made it a policy to never allow her clients or prey to lay eyes on her. She'd allow them to make whatever assumptions about her. How do you think she came by her infamous name the "White Demon"?

"Oh come one. I just want a simple upon you. Is that too much?"

She turned to leave. "They don't call me the 'White Demon' for nothing."

"Wait! Friend! Stay and have a few drinks with us. This is a joyous occasion. You single handedly destroyed the plague that's been terrorizing us for months now. Afterwards, you'll get your reward. As much gold as three full ships can carry!"

She turned to face him. "What would someone like me need your money for? It comes as of no use to someone that is constantly on the move. Hm… yes, I already claimed my price."

"What?"

"Yes… someone very important will come to visit you soon. In order to persuade him to give you his daughter, you will present this head to him as a gift. You will get his daughter, make love to his daughter, and it is that woman that will destroy you. Your name will indeed be remembered in history for all eternity, but at the price of your soul rotting for all eternity in hell."

A moment of silence came upon the room "You've got to be kidding." He finally laughed. "Not only are you strong, but you're a jester as well."

"I told you before I accepted that my price had to be something very valuable to you."

"Yes."

"Your pride is the most important thing to you… my lord; if you wish to have my presence again you'll burn the head of the Hawk."

"And if I don't?" he challenged

"Then the next time I'll see you would be at your funeral. Now take a look around you. Look at all that you have and cherish. Choose wisely Lord Shizumasa. For once, I want you to swallow your pride, stop leading with your body parts, and do as I say."

One look at him and you could tell he wasn't going to let an opportunity like this get away. One look and you could tell he's the foolish type who believes he can escape his destiny. If he has a chance to keep his name remember for the ages, then why the hell wouldn't he do it? Her warning was pushed back to the far corners of his mind. "Alright my friend," he smiled. "If you believe it'd be best, I will o as you say."

Aurora started into the black pearls of his eyes then turned to walk away while he shouted his offer of power to her again. She remembered the words Sesshomaru asked her before he claimed her life. 'Is it worth it?' Truthfully, she never really understood what he was trying to tell her until now. Is it worth losing everything for your own gain? In some situations, yes, but in young Lord Shizumasa's case…

"No…"

Young Lord Shizumasa would present his head to the mighty Hawk demons father. He offered it to him in exchange for the daughter. He loved her. He loved her dearly. They even had a son 5 years later. As it turns out, the son gouged out his own father's eyes; his punishment for boasting about killing his dear uncle. His dear wife in which he so loved tortured and penetrated him for 10 months straight before devouring his heart whole.

"Is it worth it?"

Sesshomaru's words kept ringing in her ears. Only one tear was shed at his burning; from Shizumasa's beloved wife that was forced from his still beating heart.

"Is it worth it?"

Sesshomaru's words kept ringing in her ears. One week later, Shizumasa's still beating heart overtook his wife's heart and they stopped beating together. The son she had with her son was a still born just two days before.

"Is it really worth it?"

Sesshomaru's words kept ringing in her ears. The half-breed Hawk demon allowed the painful sadness of loneliness to enter his heart. He disregarded his human half fully, becoming nothing more than a lustful demon that was killed by the White Demon.

D=

Aurora walked silently by herself through the forest; a lifeless shell. She knew of the future. She knew it all too well. But alas, time waits for no man. The future soon becomes the present, and the present becomes the past. No moment ever really repeating itself, no moment ever really turning out the way it's supposed to be. No fate can ever be changed by just words, but by actions. Just by saying you'll do something means nothing.

The bastard of the western lands never said he wouldn't destroy her family after killing her, but why would he even bother with her if he was going to do what he wanted anyway?

"This is it," she sighed deeply as she stopped walking. This was the very spot she stood when she first laid eyes on Sesshomaru. It was this exact spot.

Aurora slipped her cloak off her shoulders allowing the moon to envelope her and illuminate her pale skin. She allowed the wind to leave silent kisses all over her and let him whisper sweet nothings in her ear. The night was the only thing that can claim Aurora as his lover. It had the right to do anything it wanted to her.

Gently closing her eyes, Aurora was starting to drift off into the realm of the past that was her memories, as the night had his way with her. What was it that made her feel that she owed everything to that demon? That beast in human form! What was it about him that made her have a sense of belonging?

Rustling.

There were rustling in the leaves. A demonic aura was coming in her direction. So close. It stopped. The demonic aura, very powerful, was of steady pace. Aurora tried not to feel elated as his aura surrounded her.

"The White Demon…" The dark velvet of his voice caressed her, amusement in his voice. "Hmm…" the deep rumble of his voice shook her core. I know him… "I heard you were 13ft tall. Your body, made of steel, but you look no more than a mere human woman."

She was annoyed.

At the bastard who seduced her with insults.

At herself for being so damn responsive. But she stayed with her back towards him. "It's a full moon tonight," she stated, her voice a little less controlled than she meant. "I don't like it. Yes, it was a night just like this… how disgusting!"

"Aurora," he called out.

Her heart skipped a beat. Not many people, especially demons, know what her identity, and those who were unfortunate enough to gaze their eyes upon her features were killed moments later; all except for one. This situation scared her. His voice, like silk, that captured her name as if it was hungry for it, his demonic aura that continued their deceitful caresses, his perfectly round spheres of pure gold that hawked her figure, keeping her absolutely frozen; she knew this man!

Keeping her eyes trained to the stars above her, Aurora tried to clear her mind of things. She tried so hard, so hard not to think about his cold stare that always sent shivers down her spine. So hard not to hear the echo of her name being whispered. So hard not to feel the ice of his steel penetrating her body. So hard not to remember the jolt of pain he inflicted on her, forcing his hand deeper within her, letting his other kiss her tears away.

In retrospect, he never did completely finish the words that trickled from his mouth. "Is it worth it?" she spoke in an almost whisper, making sure he listened intently, making sure her worlds struck through him like knives. "That's so like you my Lord. You despicable beast! The least you could have done was finish what you said before destroying me… 'Is is worth losing your life, and leaving this life knowing you won't be the last one…?"

He listened to her words. He felt the pain in her voice. He kept his eyes trained on her beautiful features that shone so brightly under the pearl moon, smiling at the impression he left on her back. It mattered not how torn she was, or how her joyful smile dissolved to nothing more, nothing less than a lifeless stare. He couldn't care how she felt towards him.

"Why did-"

"Your life is mine to do with as I please," he reminded her, watching rage fill her body. "Is that the part you left out Aurora?" he watched her blood lustful aura increase around her. "It was a night just like this. Your face was stained with tears and blood, your clothes were torn." He watched her hands clench around the hilt of her blade.

RUSTLE

With every word that left his mouth, he took steps closer. So close. She could feel his breath against her neck. Aurora's heart was beating as fast as a drum roll. Having that man oh so close to her was very provocative. His aura became bolder in their caresses which were rewarded with a gasp. "Aurora…" he warmed her pale skin.

Damn you! Damn you! No more…

"You can't kill me can you? You can't even remove your swords from its sheath."

"I'll send you to HELL!" she growled, whipping her fang at him, sending a massive force towards absolutely nothing. A few trees were blown away, but that was it. "Coward… COWARD! Come out here and face me!" she calmed down when she noticed that his aura was nowhere to be found. She searched for it, she searched for the tiniest glimmer of his aura, but she found none.

B-BMP

Aurora gasped and fell to her knees. She's lived as a lifeless shell for 10 years and still counting, yet around Sesshomaru, the monstrous being that haunted her constantly; around him she felt truly alive. She could actually feel her own heartbeat. It weighed heavy in her chest and she hated the feeling.

Regaining composure, looking around, and concentrating hard, she went back to looking for him. Once again there was no trace of it. It was either he was very skilled at hiding his aura, or it just wasn't there to begin with. He was just a figure of her imagination. The warmth of his breath on the back of her neck was no long there either. She could only feel ice. She could only feel the ice of her skin that was like a newly frozen lake; untouched, cared to go near, smooth. She could only feel her pulse slow down, very slowly, back to its original pace. She could only feel herself becoming like the walking dead once more. Unable to live, unwilling to die.

"You should not have saved me that day." She announced helplessly, letting her blue and purple eyes reclaim the night sky. Things would have been different if the two had never met. She knew it with every fiber of her being. But had he not come, she would have been brutally murdered, her lifeless body put to shame until all signs of warmth fled with her soul. With her death, her family would have been spared. And she definitely wouldn't be standing here wondering if she was going insane. "Why did you have to… you should have just let them kill me."

Right beside her was a pair of fresh foot prints. Foot prints that were too big to belong to her. The smell of fresh blood clung to the air. That alone was proof that someone had been there. She hit him. SHE HIT HIM! That alone was proof of her sanity.

Just as his demonic aura disappeared, it hit her again full force. It wrapped around her with the warm night air, caressing her, encouraging her.

"… My Sesshomaru…"

Episode 3: The Whipping Boy

Spoiler

"It's my decision to make… An' I've decided that I want to be with you Lord Sesshomaru. I want to take care of you forever and for always."

"… Forever and for always." Were the words that slipped from a still sleeping Aurora. There seemed to be no point to waking up. In just a couple of hours, she'd go see a client, another coward that's too scared to do anything himself, and tell him of his death.

She was getting too tired of the same thing happening. Even though every case wasn't exactly the same, she wished for something even more exciting. Lord Shizumasa's case was especially different. She actually went out of her way to warn him, encourage him to burn the Hawk's head, yet he chose what he thought to be eternal life. What a poor soul he had to have fallen for a demon that ended up killing him.

"I'm being hypocritical," she stated aloud, finally breaking free from the horrible world of her dreams. Aurora, the White Demon herself, in turn fell in love with a demon. The very same demon that came to her inn his time of need and killed her, including everyone else.

How can I look down on him and claim myself holier-than-thou when I'm just like him? There is little that distinguishes me from that young Lord.

He's too young.

O_o

o_O

W-CHA!

He's too young!"

W-CHA!

"Stop it! Stop it, he'll die!"

"Shut up *****!"

W-CHA!

Another whip went lashing itself across a young boy's back. He's too young for this.

W-CHA!

Another whip went running down the young boy's back. He arched his back, crying out, trying to get way. What crime did he commit? What wrong deed did he do to deserve this?

W-CHA!

The last crack of a whip scanned itself across his back as he fell down in his own pool of pure crimson. He curled himself into a ball, his wings wrapping around him protectively as his father walked by. He could do nothing but stare at his blood drenched hand as his father looked towards him distastefully. A sour "why?" escaped from his lips without him even knowing it. He deserved to know an answer! It was his right! This was not the first time he's been punished for no reason.

His father stopped at the door to smile sincerely at his fallen, half-bat demon son. "My dear Hideki, what ever I do to you is out of love. You'll bounce back pretty soon. You always do. You are a demon after all."

That's it? That was the reason he constantly punishes him? Is it really because he's half-demon? You're the one who married his mother. You're the one who screwed her! You're the one responsible for him being born in the first place. What is this? Just what the hell is this?

Machi, the demon's mother rushed to his aid. In fact, this was the first time she's gotten wind of these events occurring. Usually her husband would send her away when he did this. It didn't matter to him if Hideki, his only son, his heir, were to die. He could always make more.

"Make sure you're clean for dinner." He walked gracefully out the room and a great silence descended upon the two remaining.

"Hideki, why didn-"

"I didn't do anything!" he shouted, tears flowing from his lavender eyes. "I swear! I didn't do anything! I sat here in my room all day! Not doing anything! I just, just sat there! I s-swear!"

Machi sat by his side, stroking his back, with tormented eyes. He could have come to her like he did the past eight years of his life. He could have cried to her. That's why she didn't understand. "Why didn't you tell me he was…" Another wave a silence hit them. She couldn't bring herself to continue.

Why? Cause deep down, Hideki knew that even if he did tell her, she wouldn't have done anything. The bat demoness was too much in love with her husband. He was not going to make her choose between them knowing he'd lose. His father was with her first. It was his right to claim her, but…

"Let's get outta here momma," he whispered as his gaping wounds began closing. "Let's go away from him! As far as possible!" He's shouting now. "I didn't wanna make you feel like you had to make a choice 'tween us, but choose me! Choose ME! Choose ME! Love ME more than you love that man! Momma, don't let him kill me."

*;…;*

A pissed off Machi stormed to her husband's quarters. "What the hell?" she shouted, allowing her hand to glide across his face. She sure as hell was not going to allow her son to be beaten as a slave by anyone. Especially her husband.

He looked distastefully at her. He knew what was coming. She'd get angry and threaten to leave him and he'd do something to change her mind. As he always did. "That's my line." He laughed.

"Cut the crap! You know what I'm talking about! How dare you unjustly punish him like you would a damn slave? How dare you even think of raising your hand against my son?"

"I can do whatever I want with my son."

"Our son!" Machi corrected tight lipped. "He's too young dammit! What if you killed him, hunh? I would have never forgiven you."

"I will give you another one!" It was his turn to raise his voice, making sure she heard the stern of it. He'd give her whatever he heard desired: More children, gold, his entire kingdom if that is what she wished. There was no time to argue with her when there were things even more important. These are warring times after all. In order to give her the world, he had to make sure there was still a world for her to obtain.

"Why Hideki…?" she calmed down. "He's our son," she looked to him. "You give me all these days of pleasure only at the expense of Hideki's torture. Why is it that I come home to find my baby bleeding from head to toe, begging me to take him away from here? In, in the nine years that he's been livin', why now? Hunh, m'love? Why, when you now he loved you so much? So much!"

Once again he shot a look of disapproval towards her. How dare that wench question him? The lord of the castle kept his fists baled at his sides. He need not answer to anybody. He does not feel the desire to justify his actions to this woman.

This demon woman.

This beast in human form.

Putting on his best smile, he crossed over to her. "You want to know why I do the things I do?" he said making sure he understood her. "You want to understand me better, is that right? You'll leave me if you don't get something, right?" He crowded her space, stopping about 5 inches from her. His smile disappearing, leaving no trace of it actually being there. "You want justifications of my actions?"

SMACK!

"Because I am tired!" his smack sent her soaring across the room into a few valuables, breaking them. But they can always be replaced. Just as he believes his son, Hideki, can be replaced. "Is that reason enough?"

Machi held her throbbing cheek. "What the hell?"

"Ah… there's a specific reason for my illness. Would you like to know that too, you little whore?" he's laughing now. "Your grandfather, as it turns out, still doesn't approve of me. No matter how many demons I destroy or castles I conquer, he just won't acknowledge me worthy."

"But that's-!"

"SILENCE! Don't think I've forgotten the way you betrayed me. You willingly slept with that demon. How do I even know Hideki's mine?"

"He's a half-demon! Of course he's yours!"

"I said be quiet!" he shouted, hysterically laughing as he made a home for his foot in her stomach. He didn't ask for her to speak. Not yet anyway. "Okay, okay, get this. Your grandfather and lover are planning on attacking me and stealing you away. Isn't that hilarious? They're that desperate."

Machi stayed silent as her husband's foot still lay dormant in her stomach, adding pressure. All the while his words poured into her, she couldn't help but think it was her fault her precious little boy was suffering. It's because of the mistake she made 9 years ago that her son was in torment. Is in torment. But the fact that he's half-demon; does that mean nothing? How long is he going to hang this over he head?

"They want you all to themselves. How selfish! You're my wife! Hideki should be my son! I won't let them take you." The lord of the castle's sanity was deteriorating. There was little rationality left. "Heh! I'll kill you before I give you a chance to leave me. Both of you."

D=

=D

"Ah! Come in! Come in friend." The lord of the castle smiled invitingly as an important person glided into the Grand Hall. "So you must be the infamous White Demon."

Simple answer, "yes."

"Very good then! Let's get down to business. I have a little problem I need you to take care of. You see, the-"

Aurora slowly put up her hand to delay his request. There is no point in presenting his case if he doesn't know the price paid for her services. "You must be desperate to come so far as to hunt me down," she started, "Rumors say I don't accept gold, which I don't. I have no use for it. My price, dear king, and I stress, is the most valuable thing to you. Understand?"

"Yes, yes, whatever your heart desires!"

"No. Whatever your heart desires," she muttered before clearing her throat. "Now, about your case…"

He told her about his grandfather-in-law and the beast his wife slept with nine years ago. Simply put, he wanted them dead. Every single last one of them. All of those who followed, talked, or even made a quick glance in their direction. "I want them to perish! I won't allow them take my wife and son away. Will you help me friend?"

Aurora stood unspoken, silently staring into the black pearls of his eyes. The most valuable thing to the lord was already taken captive by something else. Something dark, mysterious; unforgiving. She figured his sanity was already being overwhelmed by the untamable darkness. And it was that darkness that scared her.

That silent darkness

She turned around to walk towards the door. So it seemed there was something even more valuable to the lord besides his sanity and wife. "I shall bring you his head, but be warned. The boy is unharmed while I'm away."

He snapped to attention at that. "Or you'll what?" he asked dangerously as the doors shut behind her.

*,…,*

Machi, the Lady of the castle, waited for Aurora at the front gate. She looked desperate. She looked very desperate. "The mighty White Demon: untouchable, a child of death, the immortal one, Reaper to demons…"

"You seem to know a lot of my names." Aurora pointed out, not taking the time to look at her. It's not that she didn't want to, but couldn't. She couldn't look into the eyes of a sorrowful mother and tell her everything's going to be all right, then do something that would tear her apart. "Is there something you wish to tell me m'lady?"

Silence

She kept silent, her head hanging to the floor; ashamed. Step by step, Machi found her way over to Aurora. "Come back safely friend," she whispered.

"I'm getting paid to behead your grandfather and long time friend, and you wish for my safe return? Whose side are you on?"

"What?"

"You already understand what I'm taking from you. You understand what I'll take from you when I return. Don't you love your family? One by one, they're slipping away from you. Your husband, your old man and friend

Your son…

You'll be all alone in this world and you desire my safe return? Whose side are you on?" she repeated, her back still facing her. Of course Aurora knew what she was doing. She was forcing her to make a decision. She was forcing a quick closer on her. She was forcing her to say good-bye the same way she was made to say good-bye to her own family.

A while passed before Machi mustered up the courage to speak again."I'm going to stand by my husband." She spoke sternly.

What? Aurora whipped around, causing her hood to reveal herself. Her eyes were wide; a look of pure disbelief stained her face.

"I married my husband not only because he's strong, but because I knew I could trust in his decisions, no matter what he does. Before I said 'I do,' I already decided that I wanted to take care of him… for as long as I am able. It matters not how ill he's becoming or, or even if he desires my grandfather's death. I still love him."

"I want to take care of you Sesshomaru… Forever and for always…"

"Stop it! How could you! How could you still want that man? How could you still love him after all he did?"

"I can't help it… My heart-"

"HE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!" Aurora shouted before realizing she wasn't talking about Machi anymore. She shouted before realizing that there is no forever and for always. It doesn't exist. It never existed.

Shocked, Machi stepped a couple of places back, then walked back to her. "I see… so you're a woman, a human woman at that." She paused. "Do you-"

"No." Aurora answered, replacing her hood, surrounding her cowardly fear in darkness. She did not want to think about her heart that continued to beat so slowly. No! She didn't want to think about her heart that Sesshomaru pierced with his steel, cold as ice. That cold steel that made her what she was today.

"No." She said again.

The demoness understood everything as she watched Aurora fade into the distance. No, she didn't want to talk about it. No, she didn't want to forgive him. No, she didn't want to stay there anymore. "She's just a mere woman, yet she strikes fear into everyone she comes in contact with. I warn you friend. There is a difference between you feeling pain, and your body taking pain."

Aurora was walking through the woods once more. She figured, the faster she killed her assignment, the faster she could get away from this damned castle. "And that damned woman…" she breathed.

B-BUMP

Aurora fell, gasping for air.

B-BUMP

* "I want to take care of you…" *

B-BUMP

* "Forever and for always…" *

B-BUMP

* "Well Aurora? Is it worth it now?" *

B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP B-BUMP

Stop…

…

Aurora lay there, breathless. She's thought about that man too much. This was the exact same thing that happened before, only it never went this far. Her heart went off the path of its normal, steady, slow pace and increased to the point of stopping completely. This was not the end though. Not by a long shot.

…

Wake up

…

Wake up!

…

WAKE UP!

… B-BUMP…

She popped up with a gasp, quickly filling her lungs with air. Her heart; going back to its original pace. Sesshomaru killed her once and she was not going to allow that to happen ever again.

"I won't lose to you!" she forced her words out, struggling to come to her feet. All the while, she felt a demonic aura. It wasn't scary, nor was it threatening in the least, just annoying. As she went to cut him down, the presence blocked with his own sword.

"You surprise me." She huffed, allowing her sheath to reclaim its lover. "Your reflexes are exceptionally well. Very impressive. You go by anything child?"

He stepped into view, allowing her to see his beautiful, milk chocolate tone skin. "Hideki," he answered shyly.

Hideki. That was the name of the bat demon boy. Machi's son. Is he running away? No one would blame him. Aurora just stood there looking at him. How could he figure out what to do in order to survive when she couldn't at that age? But, she was almost there once; until she met Sesshomaru that is.

She was running in her once beautiful, now crimson stained kimono. She was running from her own father and bastard clients. She was running towards freedom, and would have made it. It was so close. So close!

"If you're planning on running away, don't stop for anything until you reach far beyond the border."

"No."

"What?"

"I came here to stop you."

"What?"

"If my grandfather is able to defeat my father, I'll be able to get away from here. I won't be ridiculed for being what my father hates most."

"What?"

"And that way, I won't have to watch momma choose pappa over me. So… if you wish to go any further, I'll kill you."

"WHAT IS THIS?"

Episode 4: About a Bounty Hunter and a Bat Demon

Spoiler

(It differs between facing your fears and having your fears face you. All in the same manner as how there's a difference 'tween overpowering them and having them overpower you. Now only you can decide! Will you still say laying in chains? Will you still stay lying in the bondage of your fears and worries and doubts? Or will you break free and raise against them with your head lifted to the heavens! Because only then can you truly… truly be…)

--Rooster

"If I can stop you, my grandfather will kill papa. That way, I won't have to watch momma choose him over me."

Aurora stood there, silent, her admiration wearing away. The brat wasn't doing things to survive on his own; he was looking to someone else to do it for him. 'Like father, like son' as they say. "Leave me boy. I do not wish, nor do I have the time to talk to you." His determined glare pissed her off. "Your father will raise his hand against you again."

"He can't if he's dead."

For once, she was at a loss for words. The quick reply was something she didn't expect coming from a whipping boy. But even if Aurora were to kill the mighty bat demons and claim her price, would Hideki accept her? When it all came down to it, it would he his decision. Not Machi's, not her husband's; his. Would he really want to leave everything behind for a sense of adventure? "Wanna come with me kid?" she bent down to his level.

"What do you say? Wanna come and watch me in action? Maybe you'll get your first taste of blood other than your own." The words were out before she could stop herself. Her words were inconsiderate of the torture Hideki's been through, but suddenly, she realized how little she cared. We all have problems and this little boy just happens to be his father's currently favorite stress release.

Hideki's trembling voice brought Aurora out of her thoughts. "If I can't stop you," he started, balling his fists to keep his hands from shaking, "if I can't stop you then take me with you. Take my life."

Behind her hood, all emotion left her face. The confusion of going back and forth with this little boy might not be worth it. But things never come easy. Sighing, Aurora looked into his eyes. The pearls of his eyes pierced her. She was afraid to look at them; afraid to look away. The question was, how long will she stay like this? Like the time she first laid eyes on Sesshomaru; afraid, to paralysis, to do anything.

She opened her mouth to speak before a slight hesitation. As she reached her hand out for his shoulder, a knife went flying through it.

Blood.

There was blood dripping from her hand. Aurora neither flinched nor yelled in pain. She couldn't feel it. When Rooster told her no one would ever be able to hurt her again, she didn't understand at the time how literal that was at the time.

An aged bat demon, Hideki's grandfather I'm assuming, descended from above, his right arm stretched out as if claiming to the world that he was the one who injured her. Honestly, his pose looked ridiculous, but Aurora was too busy being fascinated by the beautiful color that dripped from her hand to care. The words that spewed from his mouth mattered not to her until he finished with the oh-so-familiar words. "I will kill you."

"Hn? You'll kill me? That's funny, seeing as how you're my next assignment." She let out another sigh. "Your grandson is paying me to get rid of you. Apparently you've been doing things you shouldn't have. What's the meaning of this gramps? She's married. She doesn't belong to you anymore. Have you earnestly been ignorant of the consequences?

Hideki's grandfather locked his jaw and lifted his chin in obvious annoyance. It seems he doesn't want to chat if he isn't the one doing it. He doesn't need to justify his actions to anyone. 'Sounds like he's exactly like Hideki's father. Maybe that's the reason he won't approve of him. Maybe it was because he felt that he was being replaced by a fake, human, copy.

"Old man, am I not worthy of you gracing me with an answer?" she asked sarcastically, amusement on her face.

"DIE!" he shouted a reply, baring his elongated claws, thrusting himself at her.

Kill all those who stand in your way. The friend of my enemy is also my enemy. That is the way of the world.

Kill all those who stand in your way. The friend of my enemy has nothing to do with me unless I'm paid to kill the unlucky bastard. That is my way. The world can rot in hell for all I care.

"Die?" she laughed, dodging the deadly swipes he made with his arms, always looking forever graceful. "what makes you think you, of all demons, can kill me? Very interesting, love. Now…" she mused, severing his right wing with the shot of an arrow. Such a… beautiful color.

The old bat demons eyes widened with horror as he stared death in the face. Aurora moved with the grace of an angel, but the stroked with the power of the devil himself. The desperation visibly showing on his face was laughable. Watching him cower in fear was just the same. Interesting. Very interesting.

"Wait! Wait, please. Listen to my proposal," he begged. "If you spare me-"

"Spare you? I'm being paid to kill you. Think of my reputation if I were to turn on my client. We wouldn't want that now would we?" She mocked, holding her arrow to his neck in attempt to behead him. It's his own fault. He wasn't up to talking when she wanted to, now only 15 minutes into the fight, he's begging for his life!

"Spare me and, and I will leave my granddaughter to live in peace with that human! Surely you understand my disgust."

Not really…

"I will acknowledge him worthy to have her. If you were to work for me, we could conquer the western lands!" he smiled broadly. The hood shrouding Aurora's face in darkness scared him. He couldn't figure out whether she was taking everything into consideration, or just didn't care, so he continued. "Then we could go on to Northern and Eastern lands, and finally the south. It's very tempting is it not? Think it over. Remove th-"

SHENK

She removed the arrow alright. Releasing it from her hand, she watched blankly as his head hit the ground. Conquer the Western Lands, he says. Now how do you expect her to accomplish that when she has a hard time already killing the lord of these very lands? But no one knows that. That's how she wants it to be. How it should be. If she could defeat that demon, that beast, her one and only weakness, then there would be no more problems. World domination would be an easy task to accomplish, but until then…

"Sorry love. Even if you had me, you would never be able to slay Sesshomaru, the only man my arrows can't pierce nor can my blade cut."

It was a little too late did she realize her tongue escaped her. She revealed her one vulnerable spot without noticing Machi's lover hiding in the shadows behind Hideki. Aurora cursed herself, wondering what this coward would do with this information: leak it out to everyone? Threaten her with it? Or just go to the almighty bastard of the western lands himself and use his power against her? "Tch! Coward…!"

x.X

X.x

"You are Lord Sesshomaru are you not?" the now frightened bat demon bowed. When he came here, he did not expect to see such deadly beauty with an aura as calm as the sea. He stood tall; proud as always. His eyes of pure gold looking lazily off into the distance. "Please lend us your assistance." A short pause. "Um…" another pause. The silence was unbearable. What could be so damn interesting for him to continue staring? "Well, that is."

To Sesshomaru's annoyance, the bat demon creped around to stand next to him. Obviously he can't take a hint. The way the ignorant demon kept talking, knowing he wasn't listening was just plain irritatingly pissing him off. He lifted his hand, flexing his fingers as if preparing to strike, pausing at the last two words that left the demon's mouth: "White Demon."

"The White Demon?" he repeated, masking his amusement.

"Yes, my wife and I have lived peacefully without son, Hideki. Now a powerful and ruthless king is threatening our very existence. There was no way he could do this alone, so he gained the allegiance of the White Demon. I would have killed him myself if he didn't have my son!" he smashed his fist against a nearby tree for dramatics. If he's going to sell something believable, might as well make it look believable. "The bastard!" he added just for laughs.

O-o

o-O

Hideki watched in awe as Aurora slaughtered 2/3 of the horrible bat demon tribe. One by one, they fell before her feet. One of the lucky few slowly made his way past her deathly arrows, raising his sword above her.

RED

Absolute pure crimson went making a home for itself on Aurora's white cloak. She turned to see Hideki out of breath, his sword sticking perfectly out of his target's head. She smiled, both shocked and amazed that this little boy could have this type of skill so young. Not all half demons – or demons period – have perfect aim when throwing yards away. There is much more to this little bat demon than he's putting on.

Pretty soon, everyone fell back, leaving the bat demon and the bounty hunter in a dead silence. Hideki blushed from the awkwardness. A couple more minutes past before either one of spoke again. "You're a woman aren't you." the young bat said it as a statement instead of the question it was supposed to be.

She reared back as if slapped as the wind knocked her hood clear off. Aurora folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin, looking him defiantly in the eyes. "Yea, I'm a woman, what of it? More or less I'm still the White Demon. I can still get rid of any demon that crosses my path, an' I can still kick your ass if you piss me o-" She was cut off by the feeling of a very powerful demonic aura coming in their direction. It was in all aspects of the word, terrifying.

"Miss? Hey! Miss, what's wrong?"

It can't be. This is too soon! My heart still isn't completely recovered. Dammit! The coward!

"Hideki, I want you to go back to Machi and wait for my return," she said as calm as possible, looking in the direction Sesshomaru was coming.

B-bmp!

Out the corner of her eye, she saw Hideki still there, shaking. She already knew what his father would do to him. Who could blame him? The boy had what was coming. He decided his own punishment the moment he stepped foot outside the castle grounds, but she still couldn't see him cry. Not anymore. Not that boy.

"Listen to me. I was already planning on taking you under my wing when I walked in. Understand that you are the most valuable treasure your father has. He loves you even more than he loves Machi. You have to believe that," she stopped, walked over to him, bent down to his level, and patted him on the head. "Can you not feel it young love? Can you not feel it coming closer? So close… You. Mean. Absolutely nothing to me dead."

She could tell her words weren't taking his fear away. What she couldn't tell was if he was actually listening. Hideki reached his small hands out and grabbed hold of her cloak. His knuckles turned white from his tight grip. "I want to stay with you momma," his confusion announced, grasping her tightly, finding comfort within her slow-pacing heart beat.

B-bmp

He's here.

Too late.

"Coward," she said through grit teeth. "Are you really that scared of me to ask for outside help?"

"Shut up," the bat demon said calmly, confidently. "What about your client? He hired you to-"

Before he could finish, an arrow pierced his chest. The two situations were under different circumstances. Besides, are they not demons? Do they have no shame in gaining help to defeat a mere woman? A human woman? What the hell is this?

B-bmp

"Be. Quiet. I'm getting paid to kill you, and I will enjoy doing it. Slowly. Painfully." Aurora walked over to him, placing her blade to his neck tauntingly. "Now, have you anything to say?"

"…demon."

"Hn? What was that?"

He laughed seductively once her ear was right beside his lips. He wanted to make sure she understood him. He wanted to make her regret ever coming in contact with Machi and her husband. Most of all, he wanted to do something that would not only hurt the White Demon, but claim revenge against the mighty king as well. Hideki should have been his son, but now

"Heh. We are gonna kill that half-demon brat you have a sudden interest in and seize the power of the White Demon."

Widened eyes.

Aurora stayed in her position with a terrified look visibly showing. It's all her fault if anything happens to him. She was just angered and threatened that this bastard brought Sesshomaru into all of this. But she was the one who brought Hideki into this. *we are going to kill the half demon brat...*

"Oh no," she said, for the first time, helplessly. And everything after that was a blur. All in slow motion. She was trapped in Sesshomaru's dance with no escape to get to her charge.

b-bmp

His sword slashed across her arm. Even though she couldn't feel it, she could see drops of crimson falling like feathers, to stain her snow white skin.

B-bmp

Caught in a festival of her own blood, Aurora stared blankly as Hideki being whipped to death by Machi's lover. If he wanted that, he could have gone back home. She didn't need him to be there.

B-bmp

Hideki's screams and cries for a savior wasn't worth it. None of this is worth it! "Hideki!" He looked horrifired.

"Very interesting Aurora. The very thing you decided to make a living on killing, you want so dearly to save. But instead of worrying about the boy, you need to worry about defending yourself."

B-bmp

"Hideki…"

B-bmp

"Momma! Don't let him kill me! Momma! MOMMA!"

"Fight them!" Aurora shouted as Sesshomaru slashed his sword across her thigh. What she really needs to do is worry more about herself at this moment. That damn brat was the one that followed her of his own free will. She did not drag him into this. Even so! "Hideki! Fight back! If you don't, you really will die! Is that what you want?"

B-bmp

He wasn't doing anything. Hideki was just lying there, allowing the many whips to leave passionate expressions everywhere; marring his beautiful skin. He looked just as dead as Aurora now did. This was not what she wanted. She didn't want him to give up, she didn't even want him to be there in the first place dammit.

Sesshomaru's eyes went from gold to red. Aurora's attention should not go to any other man or demon but him, so why wasn't she acting like she's supposed to? Why the hell isn't she looking at him? Annoyed, he lifted his poisonous claws, trying to gain her attention. Trying to make her remember what happened when she was infatuated with Rooster, and Rai, and everyone else. Look at me! "If you're not going to fight back, then you're better off dead," he coldheartedly announced, curling his lips as their eyes met.

"So this is it? Is this really the end for me?" Breaking eye contact, Aurora let her eyes be captured by the stars above her. "Can you remember Sesshomaru? This is just like the day you came to me, dying from poison. You told me," she swallowed. "You told me that you weren't planning on coming to me that day, but without knowing it you found your way to me. And it was that day I vowed to take care of you. Forever and for always."

All those precious memories were coming back to her. Who knows, maybe it was her life flashing before her eyes. "Ok," she said, out of hope. "Ok," she said again, gently closing her eyes. "You win. I give up. I just give up. It's not worth it. I'm not, I'm not strong enough!"

Sesshomaru stopped, his hand with determination to punish her, but refused. And so he just looked at her. Admitting her weaknesses and crumbling beneath him. Absolutely beautiful. To him, she looked the same way she did 10 years ago in her well decorated kimono.

"I'm scared. I am known as the White Demon, Reaper, Immortal one, Death. Pain is inflicted upon me yet I feel nothing. The gift of love and of life was offered to me, yet I feel nothing. I don't feel a damn thing! If I keep this up, I'll end up just like Hideki's father. What I fear most is losing myself to you. I'll soon slit my own throat before I allow that to happen. It's not worth it!"

As she grabbed hold of his hand and held on tightly, his eyes changed back to their golden purity. "Say, Sesshomaru, will you spare me until Hideki frees himself? I have to see him make it out alive. He who reminds me so much of myself 10 years ago." She searched for a yes in his yes. She pleaded for one with hers.

He slowly let up, allowing her to shield Hideki's blood drenched body with her own. She couldn't feel any of the lashes, so it didn't matter how many times they did it. And Sesshomaru just stared on, comparing Hideki to a 7 year old Aurora.

0.0

Hideki opened his lavender eyes in wonder why he wasn't feeling pain anymore. He shot his head up once he noticed Aurora's figure protecting him. "Stop… stop it! Stop it!"

"Hmph! Who do you think you're talking to? I told you you're not use to me dead didn't I?" she was trying to put on the tough guy act so Hideki wouldn't worry.

"Doesn't it hurt?" he asked, looking caringly into his "momma's" eyes. Looking for her reason for doing this.

"Of course it does young love. Pain always does, but I've learned to fight through it all, so it's ok for me, now what about you?"

"What?"

"You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for; too strong to be cowering from a measly whip." She looked saddened at his lack of a response. "You know, my dear friend once told me 'There is a difference between facing your fears and having your fears face you. All in the same manner as how it differs between overpowering your fears and having them overpower you.' Do you understand Hideki?

Break free from them!" she shouted words of encouragement. "Don't say lying curled up in a shell. Take my mistakes and learn from them. Make them acknowledge you as someone to be feared. Make them see that you are not someone to be taken advantage of. Make them understand why the infamous White Demon claims you, above all others, her ally!"

…

…

This section of the episode has been edited for the bloody, gory content, but please enjoy the rest of the story ^-^

--The pirate Random Ms K

…

…

Hideki took the two heads back to the castle and waited for Aurora to come claim him.

Sigh. I'll leave this world with one regret and that's…

"You mentioned earlier, Aurora, that you were offered love, yet you felt nothing."

"Yes."

"Even now, do you feel nothing?"

"Yes." Liar

He came closer to her, circled around her, hawked her figure as if he hungered for it. Sesshomaru found it in himself to stop right behind her. So close. So close that if she leaned back just a centimeter, their bodies would touch.

Ever so slowly, Sesshomaru used his index finger to trace a serpent up her spine to the nape of her neck. "Really Aurora?" he teased, warming the back of her ice cold neck with his breath, piercing her skin that caused blood to trickle down his fingertips, and tending to it with is tongue. "You feel nothing?"

"Shut-up!" she roared as she knocked him back. She didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to hear a damn word that came out his mouth. Just what the hell is he trying to do here? "What the hell…?" she asked; anger, frustration, confusion taking over her body. "What the hell! You want to kill me right? Then just do it. You don't have to torture me in the process. Stop messing with me! Stop playing with my emotions. You already know I can't-!"

He kissed her. He kissed her with everything he had. He kissed her like there was no tomorrow. The lord of the western lands was going to make her forget regretting her love for him even if it killed her. She was his to do with as he pleased. Forever and for always!

"Stop it!"

He kissed her again.

"No!" And again. "Sesshom-!" And again.

Finally, she gave in to Sesshomaru's threateningly passionate kisses. She was too weak and tired to fight against him. She was too depressed and confused to do anything about it. Truth be told, she wanted him to have his way with her, she wanted him to take advantage of her. It had to be Sesshomaru and no one else. Aurora wanted to kiss him, she wanted to kill him. She wanted to embrace him; she wanted to squeeze the life out of him. She wanted to take care of him forever and for always; she wanted to send him to rot for eternity in hell.

"Why are you doing this?" she whimpered from a loss of contact with him.

"You feel nothing?" he teased.

All emotion left her face at this. Yes… Aurora felt too ashamed of herself and her emotions towards him. That's right. Along with her memories of the past, the way she felt towards him in the past were returning as well.

"Aurora."

Shut up. Stop talking. You'll ruin everything.

"Aurora," he breathed again.

Idiot. Idiot! Don't say anymore. Just walk away.

"Come with me."

He got no response. The depressed woman before him kept her head down; her eyes disconnected with him. "Come with me."

"Now?" she trembled with rage, balling her fists so tight her knuckles turned white. "You say that NOW? Where the hell was that 10 years ago? Where was that last year or the year before that? Why didn't you take me with you when you killed Rai? My family? Or how about the day you killed Rooster? Just where the hell were you then, hunh?" When she didn't get a reply she grabbed hold of his face, forcing him to look at her. "I loved you. You took EVERYTHING from me and I still loved you. I jus, I just wanted to be with you!"

"Come with me," Sesshomaru said again. Just those three words.

It was her turn not to reply now. She was heartbroken all over again, wrapping her arms around him for support. Aurora made Hideki break away from his fears, now it was her turn. It's her turn to stand on her own two feet. No one else is going to help her along the way; the bastard killed everyone she loved. What now?

"I can't Sesshomaru, I just can't do it. Hideki needs me."

Hideki? The half demon? So she's going to choose another man over him? Again? "You should remember this, Aurora. I am a jealous man." And after that, he left.

=D

"Well? Are you ready to go Hideki?" Aurora smiled, her cloak was swung over her shoulder. For right now, she decided to stop hiding behind her hood that shrouded her world in darkness. She decided to let the world see her for who she really was. If Hideki was willing to change, then Aurora's the next person.

"Your wounds are healed. I'm so relieved."

"Yea, but you know we're gonna have to get you a cloak too. The apprentice to the White Demon has to go by something. We gotta make it cool though."

He thought on that for a bit. Light bulb! "How about I go by Hideki and you go by Aurora?" he smiled broadly.

*Come with me* Sesshomaru's words whispered in her ears.

I'm going to stay with Hideki.

*You should remember this Aurora, I'm a jealous man.*

"Say, Hideki? Let's not stop. Let's not look back until we're beyond the border."

Episode 5: Interview with a Vampire

Spoiler

"How about I go by Hideki, and you go by Aurora?"

(Why is it that I'm always finding myself looking towards the heavens and laughing at it? Is it just out of boredom or is it just plain insanity…)

--the pirate Random Ms K

I am called child of death, Reaper of Demon souls, the one whose body is made of steel, the White Demon. It wasn't until recently that I just wanted to be called Aurora. It wasn't until recently that I found my new companion. It wasn't until recently, just recently, that I figured out a half demon's weakness.

They were walking again; making their way to another client's castle to rid him of another demon. Aurora couldn't help herself from being excited about this assignment as she practically skipped on the road with Hideki looking anxiously at the sun above him. As it turns out, the very powerful Demon Lord of the Southern Lands—one of four A-class demons—has come to threaten the wealthy kingdom ruled by King Akito. The only other A-class demon she's fought against was Sesshomaru.

Aurora started humming to herself, swinging her cloak over one shoulder. She tilted her head back to see Hideki's worried expression. What could possibly be wrong? Hideki never acts this way. In fact, during the month they've been together, the only thing he has freaked out about were things that reminded him of a whip.

"Tonight's the night," he said more to himself, but Aurora seemed to have heard anyway. Something was going to happen tonight, something that didn't involve killing a demon lord, and Aurora couldn't help but worry what that something was. And so they walked

*,…,*

Aurora and Hideki made their way up the castle steps and into the grand hall to find a pissed off king Akito. "What the hell is this?" the old man laughed as if their presence there was a joke. "I requested the White Demon and he sends me a woman and a child. Do you take me for a fool?"

Nearly all excitement left Aurora's body, being replaced by irritation. "Stop talking," she said, all humor gone. "I did not come all the way here to be insulted. It was you, dear king, who gave an arm and a leg to find me. And here I am," she held out her arms and gave a dramatic bow. "But. I have intention of taking your request into consideration if this is how you treat your guests."

He fidgeted and Aurora gave a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She could tell he didn't want to say anything; he didn't want to apologize to a women, but in the end it was inevitable. The White Demon wasn't a demon at all.

"Alright girl, I'm pretty desperate. I don't seem to have another option now do I."

'Girl…?'

*,...,*

"Lord Kaname, you can't go in right now! King Akito is in a very important meeting. Lord Kaname!"

The demon lord of the southern lands continued walking—as if he owned the place—not even looking at the servant who spoke to him. "Akito is in a very important meeting?" he repeated. "We told him we were coming in advance. Therefore he should have left this whole day open for our arrival. If this person is more important than us, then we will meet him as well." He declared, kicking his way into the grand hall to see the king talking to a fairly beautiful woman and a bat demon.

Hideki was startled as she watched someone unexpected heading their way. He walked proudly, purpose in his steps. The Demon Lord stuck his hand out and gripped Hideki's hand in a firm shake. Hideki flinched and stepped back, wetting his suddenly dry lips. His eyes jumped form Kaname to his entourage, then back again. And suddenly the room became smaller.

"Hideki, young love, what's wrong?" he heard Aurora say, bringing him back to reality.

For a while he said nothing, staring at the window. "The sun's going down. Aurora, we'll be sleeping in separate rooms tonight."

"What? But we've been-! Hideki!"

Hideki left out without another word. He already had his heart set on sleeping alone. There would be no argument in this. The only other option would be…

"You could sleep with us," a random, happy voice announced from behind her.

What a weird man. And why the hell does he talk like that? And why the hell was he touching Hideki like some admirer? And I don't know why the hell his smile pisses me off so much.

"Who are you?" she said slowly, stopping her head from rambling.

"Who are you? We. Are. Ka-na-me." He said just as slowly.

Just for a second she stared at him, then turned around to leave. As it turned out, even thought Aurora was the one to ask, she couldn't care less who he was at the moment.

She stopped at the door. "King Akito. I will forgive you for pissing me off and take on your request. Make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Yes, thank you. Whatever your heart desires!"

"…" Whatever my heart desires? That's what everyone says. Whatever my heart desires, but what does it desire? What does it long for? What does it treasure above all else?

"No… whatever your heart desires." She announced softly before leaving.

*,…,*

Aurora walked outside, allowing the moon to envelope her once more. Event though she's heard the same phrase time and time again, it was that same phrase that bothered her the most. What was it? There is not one person on this earth that doesn't have something of value to them. There is not one person on this earth that doesn't have some kind of special treasure. So why…?

"I don't wanna know dammit! I don't need anybody. I don't want anybody! I don't wanna know! If I don't have anyone or anything precious to me, then that man… that BEAST won't be able to take it away from me."

Eyes wild, fast paced heart beat, and with trembling hands, she took a mirror from her kimono to try to see what her most valuable treasure is. If it was the last thing she did, she was going to find her reason for being; something that she could call hers and hers alone; sanity leaving.

"If I can just look into my own pearl, I know I can find it! I'll find it and defeat Sesshomaru."

Stupid girl… what makes you think you can defeat Sesshomaru?

"Shut up…! Stop talking! I can defeat that bastard! I will-"

You'll what? He'll find you, you'll get threatened, you'll get angry, going on rants of hell. Just what the HELL do you know about true hell Aurora? Well…?

"I know of it… I've lived it! I'm still living it! This is hell! This is my domain! I'm the ***** that rules everything!" she shouted, tilting her head back to allow a wicked laugh to escape her throat.

Who are you Aurora…

"I am the White Demon, and I need no one. Not a damned soul."

As another laugh freed itself from her lips, the mirror broke into a thousand shards in her hands causing blood to trickle down them. Those very hands she uses constantly to slay demons. Those very hands she used to touch Sesshomaru's body with; his lips his hair. Those precious, precious hands she'd be nothing without.

…

…

*...,*

Someone's bleeding… who is it…? Such a sweet smell. Such a… sweet… smell. Who are you?

"Oh? It's you Aurora. What's the matter? Are you hurt?"

"…"

"Why are you bleeding?"

She stayed silent. Aurora didn't feel the need to talk to this man, but…

"Careful love, I'm in a very dangerous position right now. If you come any closer, you'll die."

"You wound me Momma. You're probably still angry with me for not wanting to sleep with you, but I've had my reasons."

Aurora turned to look at him. His voice sounded familiar and the way he called her "Momma." There was only one person on this earth that called her that and that was

"Hideki!" she yelled, turning to him. "Um… how long have you been there?" then she noticed something. "Hideki, your aura has changed. It used to be sweet and innocent, but now…"

He took her trembling hand and placed his mouth to the tips of her fingers; taking in every moment of her sweet smelling, still fresh blood. "Hn?" he urged her to continue, closing his eyes, sliding her index finger slowly into his mouth.

"Blood lustful."

So that's why he kept speaking of the full moon. He is only half-demon. They all have their own weak moment, just like Sesshomaru's brother. What was his name again? Oh, something with dog in it! Anyway, he's off stuck to some tree somewhere. It's been 49 years, Sesshomaru said. But all of this is besides the point. Hideki is-

"You don't have to worry about anything Momma. I'm not planning on biting you if that's what you're worried about. I've already had my fill for tonight. It's a shame though."

"Hideki, what does that mean? What are you talking about?"

"It's okay. They were nobody important. And I'm sure that bastard you were hired to kill won't miss them. He'll join them soon enough."

"Them? They? He? What is this? Just what the hell is this? Hideki, no matter how many times you look at it, that's just wrong! Killing innocent people is wrong when-!"

"How dare you tell me that?" he tightened his grip around her wrist. "Oh wait, you didn't finish. Killing is wrong when you're not getting paid to do it? Admit it, you enjoy killing. You enjoy the taste of blood as much as I do. You're just as blood lustful as I am on nights of the full moon. That's the real reason why you wanted me, isn't it Momma? Because I'm just as twisted as you."

The shock in Aurora's eyes wore away. It was the last few words that left Hideki's mouth. The fact is that he is a half demon and has nothing but insecurity. Nothing but it…

"Hideki, young love, you are nothing like me. There are so many things, to many for me to count that distinguishes you from me."

"Like what?" he breathed.

"Your heart!" she exclaimed just as he finished talking. "Your heart, young love, is innocent and pure. It's not tainted by love, death… pain. Yes, you've experienced your own share of pain and you cried your share of tears, but it never changed who you are. It will be a month, tomorrow, that we've been together. Four whole weeks… I've seen you Hideki. I've eaten with you and slept beside you. I've fought along side you! Who knows you better than I do?"

"… Momma…"

"Damnit Hideki, what the hell? Is that how low you really think of me? I'm not the type of person who feeds off of other's wickedness. I may be known as the White Demon, but it's clear to see that I'm human. I am human."

Human…

"Aurora, if I were to go ballistic on a night like tonight and someone was desperate enough to pay you to kill me, would you do it?"

That was a very good question. What would people think of her if she said 'no' to someone who needed her just because it was her friend? In the end, Aurora has never actually turned down a client, and she wasn't planning on doing it in the future.

"Yes." Was the sole word that came out her mouth before a great silence descended upon them. It was just the same as the time when they first met. This time, Hideki remained silent. He didn't want to, was too scared to say anything. "But…" she continued, holding on to him. "I will end my own life shortly after."

"Wha…?"

"We are partners. There will be no one who can fill your shoes and things would be boring without you. I can't go back to the walking dead. And…! And right now, Hideki, you are the most important person to me."

Day broke through the night allowing Hideki to return to his natural self; his natural fun-loving, adorable, innocent self. Like a child, he laid in Aurora's arms, soundly.

"I'm sorry Momma." His heartfelt apology reached towards her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I'm sorry…"

*,…,*

*…,*

"Um, Lord Kaname, we have a problem."

"We have a problem?"

"Um, your concubines seem to have run away, or they've suddenly disappeared."

"Seem to have run away, or disappeared? Impossible. Certainly they would not have run away. They love us."

Then he remembered something.

That woman…

The Greatest Champion: Dark-hunter fanfic [ongoing]

Spoiler

Spoiler

The Greatest Champion

It’s dark here.

It’s always dark here and I’m hurting. I am broken; my bones shattered. I don’t remember how long it’s been since my best friend decided to leave me hanging, my feet nailed to the ceiling. A day? A week maybe?

I feel my life slipping away so she’ll be coming for me soon. It’s a never ending pattern: she beats me within an inch of my life, sends some creature in here to rid me of my ‘love taps,’ and the torture begins again.

One day. Oh one day, that woman will go too far and it’ll be too late. One day she really will kill me and I’ll just… disappear. If only I could be so fortunate now.

There’s someone in the room. Watching me.

Always.

Watching, waiting with anticipation to see what idiotic move I’ll make next. I can’t do any more. Tried to remove the nails connecting my feet to the ceiling and was rewarded with heavy weights tied to my hands. They pulled on my shoulders so hard, they came outta their sockets almost immediately. Tried to speak, but the only replies I received were fists flyin at my face, my ribs, my already busted knees.

And so I hang there, waiting for the pattern to repeat itself.

The door creaks open to show a voluptuous red head with a deceiving smile on her face.

Delia…

Once my friend.

My best friend!

“Alexi!” my name comes out like a melody from her lips as she begins cycling me. “Oh? Well don’t you look like shit. Poor, poor Alexi. All tied up and completely helpless. Aw. They sure did a number on you hunh Lex.”

You would never know how much her cheerful voice pissed me the hell off. Trying my damnedest not to let her see my pain when she touched me, I locked my jaw and stared straight ahead.

She orders whatever persons around to take me down and I’m relieved my body is allowed to rest for the time being. But here, nothing good lasts long. Nothing.

“My most beloved friend,” she brushes her lips affectionately against my cheek before placing a hand on my shoulder. “My dear friend. I love you, so this will hurt me more than it will you. I promise.”

I stare at her for a moment; she waits to see recognition in my eyes. Of course I know what happens next. I always know. Even so, I’m not prepared! Don’t!

“Delia!!” I cried out only to hear them come out muffled from my broken jaw. Her soothing smile doesn’t match her eyes filled with lustful satisfaction at my pain. For all you athletes, I’m sure you know it’s never your shoulder joint coming out that hurts the most.

She grabs my arm, gives it a twist, and jams my shoulder back in place. First one, then the other.

All I can remember is screaming for death as all went black.

It’s dark here again.

It’s always dark here and I am hurting.

Then there was nothing

I was nothing.

…

Damned if that didn’t suck.

year 1

Spoiler

Year 1

Free will. Two words that should be at the top of his favorite list. But with this new life and hearing it’s meaning preached to him over and over again, the words becaome nothing more than a complete turn off. The almighty leader of the Dark-hunters, Acheron Parthanopaeus, a.k.a. the ass, just ended a sermon—to audience of freakin one—about said topic. Oh, and don’t forget his favorite saying (he only says this to piss people off), “Just because you could, doesn’t mean…” Wait, no, don’t finish that sentence. The fact of the matter is: if Alexi could do even half the things he wanted, hell yea he would, and in his mind, he should do them.

But no. Instead of world domination, here he is, cruising the streets of Downtown Detroit on his tricked out bicycle; looking for unlucky, unsuspecting Daimon ass to kick. The slim boxer closed his eyes, feeling the cool summer night air against his face, and shook with delight of the fight to come. He could already feel his fist making contact with the poor bastard’s face, scarring the per features they all seemed to be unfairly, freakishly blessed with.

He leaned to the left, turning down Woodward Avenue, thinking of things that currently pissed him off. Topping the list at #1- the ass’s lectures; two- the freakishly fair-haired, blue-eyed Daimons that didn’t know when to shut the hell up and die; three- Apollo who stupidly made the freakishly fair-haired, blue-eyed Apollites, then stupidly cursed their entire race which caused most of ‘em to turn into Daimons who didn’t know when to shut the hell up and die. Then again, there is a bright side to all this nonsense. If it weren’t for the Greek god’s stupidity, there’d be no need for him—or any of the older Dark-hunters—to still be alive. There’d be no chance in hell for him to claim his revenge against the one who wronged him the most.

A frown claimed his lips as he shook his head, clearing it of bad memories. Alexi didn’t live how he was supposed to, definitely didn’t die how he would have preferred to. Thinking of Ash, he admitted to himself that he really had zero control of his own actions in either situation. Alexi was nothing more than a doll to those he ignorantly believed loved him. Damn it all to hell! The wind whipped at him, fighting against him. He pushed back, standing, pedaling faster, turning on this street and that street, willing something, anything, to happen. Alexi looked up and found himself on John R. There was nothing real special about this street. An art school to his left, an art museum standing proudly to his right. He made a move to turn down another road until he looked over and saw.

Bingo!

Alexi jumped off his bike and practically skipped to the three Daimons crowded around a poor woman in the back alley of the DIA. They hissed as the young Dark-hunter approached. “Alexander,” one of them spat. “Always a pain in my ass. ‘The hell do you keep popping up from?” Instead of receiving the answer he requested, he saw Alexi taking steps closer towards his crew, cracking his knuckles with a mischievous grin. Oh the fight to come.

One look at the soulless body of the homeless woman was all it took for fists to start flying. As for the one who’d spoken to him, he jabbed him in the face, causing his head to snap back. Alexi’s knee was more than happy to make contact with another Daimon’s stomach before he flicked open his pocket knife and stabbed the ink blot covering his opponent’s heart. Laughing as the Daimon turned to dust, he moved on to the next unlucky bastard. This one seemed to be newly turned. Not only that, but a freakin woman. Gods how he hated women. Especially red-headed women. Oh yea, he’s going to have fun with this one.

Alexi looked at his glove covered hand that hid the double bow and arrow mark given to him by the goddess Artemis, and then peeked back at the trembling woman before him; his eyes turned cold and unforgiving. What a horrible color to dye your hair. Painfully grabbing a wad of her auburn hair, he began dragging her from the alley. He could smell the fear coming from her, practically feel it as his own, as she kicked, screamed, and fought back for dear life. What would Delia look like in this situation? How would she feel? He would know soon enough when he found her and claimed his act of vengeance. But until then, he would enjoy himself with this one.

The woman stopped fighting. Alexi looked down to see how pitiful she looked only to see hope fill her eyes which just pissed him the hell off. Just as he reached down to punish her, Alexi felt his body jerk forward followed by a loud pop three times. He casually tilted his head back to see a Daimon holding a gun in his direction. “Bastard!” the Daimon heavily breathed, his nose busted, he lip split. “You get the hell away from her!”

Alexi could’ve sworn he killed him already, yet here he is, alive. Well doesn’t that just put cold water on things? Now bored, he slowly added pressure from the tip of his pocket knife to the woman’s temple, not liking at all how she screamed, then showed her mercy. With a whispered apology, a kiss to her torn temple, he stabbed her in the heart and flung his knife to the remaining Daimon, killing him on spot.

All turned quiet. No more Daimons for tonight. He was satisfied with things for now so he picked up his bike and pedaled home, thinking about the person waiting inside. Will he still be here? Will he not be here? Alexi stopped at his front door, and for the first time, dreaded entering. If the sun weren’t so deadly to him, he probably would remain outside. Why are you acting like a damn scaredy cat? Man the **** up and move!

The door slowly opened itself, giving an eerie creak. Alexi sighed aloud, dramatically, and walked through. And who did he find sitting on his couch in all his gorgeously sexy male glory? Yea, that’s right. None other than the one and only ass himself.

Still.

“Seriously Ash, don’t you have anything else better to do? Like, I dunno, finding someone else’s ear to talk off? I know I owe you my life, but you have got to go.” Goodbye, sayonara, hasta lavista baby, don’t let the door hit you on the way out, see ya next year, or maybe the next hundred.

“Show me your arms,” was all he said as he got up and stood towering over Alexi who stopped and flinched at his command.

Alexi backed up, breaking eye contact with Ash. “What the hell?” he said, his voice shaking. “We’ve already been through this a thousand ****in times when Delia… you’ve already made it more than clear that we can’t even--”

“I have something you want, you have somethin’ I want. Show me your arms,” he commanded again. This time there was no argument. The young Dark-hunter stripped down to his bare chest. He held his arms out and turned slowly; proudly displaying his unmarked body, save for the three bullet wounds in his back. Thankfully there were no self-inflicted cut marks or puncture wounds from needles visibly showing. This time. But when the ass finally leaves, he’ll do whatever he wanted to this body. He would show himself he was the one in control of his won actions in the new life. The only thing wrong is that scars he left with his pocket knife would all be healed by the time he awakes the next night. And so he’d prove his worth to himself night after night, again and again

Ash frowned at the man, clearly reading his mind. He knew Alexi was still going through his shock. All the Dark-hunters went through this when they first died. Alexi was a boxer; once built like the best of them, once desired by the ton. The way his fists flew with determination to strike all those who dared to enter his ring was admirable. But he got in with the wrong crowd one day and everything went down hill. His muscles fades, his cinnamon brown hair shortened, only going so far as his ears.

Ash looked at his youngest Dark-hunter with sympathy. His once masculine features almost looked feminine. Alexi stopped spinning and placed his hands on his hips. “Look, make this quick, I wanna see the new episode of Inuyasha before I go to my coffin,” he joked. “So in the last ep. the evil villain Naraku came up with this **** move to capture Sesshomaru who’s Inuyasha’s full-blooded half brother. Well I guess I gotta tell you who Sesshomaru is first hunh… ok ok. So Sesshomaru is this wicked awesome dog demon who looks like a woman at first, but he‘s actually a guy. So when I found this out, I was all like ‘oh snap, that’s a dude?! What the hell is goin on here,’ know what I mean? Well anyway, so Naraku, this weird stalker **** who’s obsessed with the undead priestess Kikyo, captures Sesshomaru and now he’s gonna absorb him into his body and all that crazy shit.”

Acheron couldn’t help but smile at him. He would never understand why Alexi gets so excited when he watches anime. His rambling reminded him of Simi gets most times. But he knew Alexi was just wasting time until he left. “Alexi,” he called out, but Alexi didn’t seem to hear.

“Will he be devoured by Nararku? Will Inuyasha come save his brother? I dunno, but I’m excited ta watch. Ay, you wanna watch it with me? It’s not even thirty minutes.”

“Alexi,” Ash said again with more force.

Alexi gave a heavy sighed as he calmed down. “So, you’ve located Delia?”

“Yea. It wasn’t that hard either. She looks the very same as she did 97 years ago.”

year 2

Spoiler

~Year 2~

Dallas Maltese hated the rain. The rain that seemed to cover up the sins and the lies of the people of this world. The rain that cleans the blood off a murder’s hands. The rain that washes the scent of unwanted pleasure off a harlot’s body. She pressed a body to her lips and tilted her head back, allowing the alcohol to burn her taste buds and slide down her throat only to find it empty. With a foul curse, she threw the bottle against the liquor store she leaned against, smashing it instantly, and started walking.

Dallas staggered threw the rain, her hair as red as freshly spilled blood matted to her head; he clothes clinging to her boy-like body. She saw murder last night. Just like any other night really, but this one was too different for words to explain as she watched—terrified—the play unfold. The killer looked feminine at first glance, but something about the murderous gleam in his eyes and the way his fists flew make him clearly masculine. He toyed with them all, his victims. They never stood a chance as they turned to dust after a knife wound to the chest, and he just laughed, moving on to the next one, then the last. When his game was over, he picked up his bike and left. The only one remaining was a woman too young to be living on the street. Dead.

And now it’s raining.

Stopping in front of the police station, Dallas couldn’t help but wonder if they’d even take the time to hear a drunk’s claim. The woman’s body probably wouldn’t even still be there. She frowned to herself thinking she shouldn’t have come here. She shouldn’t have drank too much tonight. She shouldn’t have stayed and watched another murder when every fiber of her being screamed at her to run. To hell with being a good citizen. With a heavy sigh, she turned and left, heading towards the river front.

Downtown was truly a beautiful place. Buildings as tall as the sky everywhere you turned. The Guardian Building was by far her favorite historical building in Detroit. It stood tall and proud, an assortment of yellow and orange bricks stacked high to heaven. And the doorman is always so jolly. Oh yeah, she loved the city.

The sounds of steps approaching behind her almost stopped her dead in her tracks. So it would seem that Dallas wasn’t the only one who decided to tour Downtown at one in the morning. She picked up her pace, all intention to run, until she felt large hands wrap around her waist and force her back against him.

“Hey baby, where you goin’?” his dark voice, like velvet, whispered in her ear. He chuckled at her lack of response. “Wanna bet I can guess what’s on your mind? ‘What do you want? Why are you doing this? Are you gonna hurt me?’” he laughed again. “Well?”

Dallas turned her head away from him, her body becoming tense with irritation. Hell no, he wasn’t even a mile close to what she was really thinking. Dallas wouldn’t whimper or show panic for him. Because it doesn’t matter. The one who abuses either gets off when you plead or cry, beg for mercy, or the challenge of silence takes him to another level and the pain continues until he’s satisfied. So whether she talked or stayed silent didn’t matter, but just for fun she said what was really on her mind. “Actually, I was thinking you had better get your punk ass hands off me before you lose ‘em.”

He stayed silent for a moment. She felt his head shift as if he was looking to converse with his friends. Then out of no where the man gave a hearty laugh. The bastard!

“I like you,” his laughter died, hugging her close to his chest, his tongue sliding torturously along the side of her neck. “I think I’ll have some fun with you before I kill you.”

Dallas almost laughed at that. She was going to die and not a damned soul would care. That’s how it was since birth so why should death be any different? I don’ wanna die, she thought to herself only to realize she said it out loud. “I don’t want to die,” she said again. And then she saw him.

She looked from his short, wavy hair down his feminine body to his gloved hand, which held his knife, to his feet. It’s the man from last night! As their eyes connected, her thoughts couldn’t help going to the red-headed woman last night with the gut-wrenching scream as he mercilessly stuck his knife in her head.

“Looks like we’re all outta time baby,” the one holding her growled, giving her head a violent yank to the left and tore his fangs in her neck.

What the hell? Fangs? In my neck. They’re real? But…

Dallas’s wild eyes stayed connected with his murderous ones. She watched in horror as his lips slowly peeled back into a wide smile, revealing his own set of canine teeth before he turned his back on her and walked away. True panic rose inside her, her arm stretched out, willing him not to abandon her.

Save me!

The sound of sucking and gulping filled her ears. Her vision became blurry, her arms dropped to her side, and she knew there was no hope. Dallas let her body go limp; thinking yet another woman too young to be living on the streets was going to die.

And now it’s raining harder than before.

D=<

Alexi should have left her to die. It would’ve been so easy. Just keep walking, he told himself, but her emotions reached out to him. He felt hope, then horror and despair, and finally defeat. How many times has he felt that way in Delia’s care; absolutely hopeless. Suddenly pissed off, the time for thinking was over.

Rushing back to the red-headed woman, Alexi jumped and pushed the Daimon’s head backward, disconnected his fangs from the woman’s neck. She crumpled to the ground immediately, motionless, as he flipped open his pocket knife and stabbed the Daimon in the heart. It should have been over. The Daimon should have turned to dust. But instead of disappearing he, the Daimon, laughed and punched Alexi off of him.

Alexi coughed up blood, staggering to get up. What the hell? A Spathi in Detroit? He couldn’t even think of his next move before he felt his body being thrown through the air—like a child would a rag doll—against a brick wall. The sound of bones cracking filled his ears.

“Poor you,” the Daimon laughed, taking steps closer to him. “You didn’t really think a simple knife wound to the chest would kill me did you? I’m not like those newbies you’re used to.”

Alexi spat blood at his feet when he stopped in front of him. “It got your attention didn’t it?”

“That it did,” the Daimon laughed, giving him a mock salute. “How interesting you are. I am Lafayette, what’s your name boy?

Alexi allowed his gaze to lock on the red-head gasping on the ground, struggling for every breath she took. What the hell was she doing out here at this time anyway. He was really getting tired of bleeding for these damned red-headed women. First Delia, the Daimon last night, and now this ignorant girl. He really should have kept walking, but now…

Like a flash of lightning, Lafayette’s large hand gripped Alexi’s head and bashed it against the brick wall; once, then twice, a third time and a forth until he found it in him to stop, his face inches away from Alexi’s, his gaze locked on his lips. “I am not a patient man boy, I asked you for your name.”

“Alexander,” he said through grit teeth.

“See?” Lafayette smiled in victory, “That wasn’t so hard now was it?” He, Lafayette, only stopped when he heard his name called. Looking back he saw the leader of the Daimons, Stryker, and his second and third in command, Jay and Davyn walk casually over to him. “Well if it isn’t the almighty leader himself. You always come at the worst times.”

“I wouldn’t have to come out here if you didn’t cause me so much trouble,” Stryker replied irritably. “One day I’ll decide you’re not worth the trouble.” Then his eyes moved over Alexi who glared at him and smiled. “Isn’t that a scary look. Lafayette, we’re leaving.”

Lafayette laughed, brushing his lips against Alexi’s, before he turned and left. Alexi didn’t say anything but stared at the four ancient Daimons before him. His eyes stayed connected with one in particular as the bolt hole closed, leaving no one but him and the woman left. Alexi cursed himself. Even though this was his first encounter with a Spathi Daimon, he could have handled the situation better.

The rain continued falling. Sick and tired of feeling sorry for himself, he threw the woman over his shoulder and walked home.

Later that night Alexi locked himself in his room that held no window to allow sunlight through, and cut himself. He watched as blood gushed from his arms, staining and slowly spreading across his bed sheets. Tomorrow would be better.

Tomorrow had to be better.

>:O

“What do you mean she looks the same as 97 years ago? So why don’t you tell me what the hell that means then. Your ***** Artemis turned her too? Is that it?”

“No.”

“No? So what, she’s been scratched by a gallu demon? Well I guess that explains a lot.”

“No Alexander, her time has been stopped somehow. I don’t know how it happened but it did. Tell me what you know of the time god Chronos.”

Alexi stopped pacing, looking blankly at Ash. Chronos was the very first Greek god created by the source. A great migraine came upon him one day and like aliens, his sons Zeus, Hades and Poseidon came popping out of his head. Obviously they became tired with being second place to their father, so they decided to kill him, siphoning all his power into them, strengthening them, causing people to fear and worship them more. Zeus became the father god of lightening, Hades became the god of the underworld, and Poseidon, the god of the sea and horses. Chronos, the true father god became nothing more than a bedtime story.

“Not much,” Alexi finally admitted. “Just that his bastard children killed him.”

“You ever wondered if he really died.”

“No.”

“Alexi, before Delia snapped, did you notice anything different about her?”

He thought hard on that. It has been 97 whole years after all. Was Delia acting different before she knocked him out? Was the smile she wore different? Her bubbly attitude? What does any of this have to do with Chronos? “Where did you find her?”

“Talking to Stryker.”

>: (

Dallas woke up on a couch with a cramp in her neck, her body stiff. How long has she been out? Stretching, she got up and looked around, amazed. Whoa. The room was huge! And the carpet felt so good under her feet. For a couch, it felt too comfortable to be real. There were no dirt or grim on the perfect painted walls. No empty food cans or pizza boxes lying around. No roaches and spiders scurrying across the floor. No rats peeking out and hissing at you. No cardboard covering the windows… this room was enough. This room would be enough, like a dream, for her and her best friend Snookie to live. And there was a TV and a game box!

Suddenly giddy, she ran her hands over the game system and the controllers. She’s always wanted to play one of these.

“You break it; I’ll break your arm.”

Dallas jumped and immediately let go, turning to see the killer leaning against the door frame, his arms snugly folded across his chest. Fear filled her body.

“You don’t need to fear me girl. If I wanted you dead, I woulda let that sonova***** finish you off.”

“How long have I been out?”

He paused to think. Why doesn’t he come out of the kitchen? It’s much lighter in here. “About two weeks give or take a couple of days.”

And then she remembered, her throat becoming tight. “You abandoned me.” Her voice came out more watery than she expected. Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to fall. She did remember. Oh yea she remembered that night clearly now. Vampires are real and she was going to die. “You smiled at me. And you just walked away. You’re one of them too aren’t you?” No matter how much they threatened, she wasn’t going to let the tears fall. Not in front of him. “And those people at the DIA, they were vampires too? You let them have that woman before you decided to step in. I saw you.”

“So what?” he laughed, amusement on his face. “Are you gonna tattle? I would love to see that. Who’d believe you?” He reached in his pocket, pulling out a cigarette and lit it. “Looks like someone been readin’ those Twilight books. Anyway, you’re alive and she’s dead. Get over it.”

Dallas’s eyes widened. She was still alive. He did come back for her after all. “Thank y--” she looked up and saw that he wasn’t even trying to hide his disgust of her. There was no trace of the amusement that was clearly on his face a second ago.

For the second time, he turned his back on her saying, “Get out,” before he walked back to the kitchen. Clearly Dallas didn’t need to be told twice.

She ran.

year 2.5

Spoiler

~year 2.5~

Dark-hunter.com chat

Talon: Hey, did you hear what happened to Alexi?

Wulf: ROFL. Heard he got his ass kicked by a couple of noobs. How lame.

Sundown: What? By newbies? Damn that’s gotta hurt his ego.

Kyrian: No, I don’t think it was the newly turned Daimons that got him.

Sundown: So how old are you talking’? 300? 600 years? Pfft. That’s not better than a noob.

Kyrian: what are you talking about?

Zarek has logged in

Zarek: Alexi just asked me how to kill a Spathi

Wulf: wth. Since when do you talk to Alexi?

Talon: when’d you an’ Alexi start talking?

Sundown: Sup Z! =D

Kyrian: why’d he ask you?

Zarek: dunno, an’ I don’t really care. He also asked what I knew about Chronos

Zarek: which is jack shit.

Talon: what the hell is Chronos?

Sundown: hell if I know

Kyrian: the Greek time god?

Wulf: alright, you’re getting into Greek Mythology. The Viking Love Machine is out! PEACE!

Talon: see ya

Sundown: later

Wulf has logged out

Kyrian: But really Zarek, why ask you? Why not Ash? I have a buddy over here who might be able to help out. Do you have his number?

Kyrian: Zarek?

Talon: I think he left

Zarek: No

Zarek: about that Spathi…

Sundown: Unlike the noobs you see now-a-days, they don’ die by stabbing their ink blot, and they’re strong as hell. Only way to kill those suckers is by decapitation. Like Desiderius, right Kyrian?

Kyrian: Aw! Desi-disastrous? Man that dude was a pain in my side.

Talon: I still think the questions about the Spathi is just a way of taking the sting off of some humiliation.

Alexander: don’t talk about me behind my back

Kyrian: oh wow, how long have you been there?

Talon: sup noob!

Sundown: Alexi! What’s happenin!

Alexander: I’ve been lurking here for the last 30 min. An’ I don’ find you humorous at all. Neway K, give that guy my number. 313-131-3131

Zarek: seriously…?

Alexander: shut-up! Don’t. Judge. Me! You betrayed me! *cries*

Alexander: whatever. It’s easy to remember. But I’d rather meet this guy face to face. Any chance of you gettin’ him to come to the D?

Kyrian: Highly doubt it. He’s a professor at the college here. Any chance of you coming to New Orleans?

Alexander: I guess. What other choice do I have hm? I’ll see if Ash can position me somewhere out there.

Talon: But hey, wait. Why’d you go to Zarek?

Alexander: who me? Well why not? His nickname is Psycho Ass right? Lafayette would definitely classify as Psycho. And it takes one to kill one right? So maybe I should go psycho to make things easier on me, become Z’s student, know what I mean? And kill that bastard.

Zarek has logged out

Sundown: So you really encountered a Spathi

Alexander: yea. Now put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Alexander has logged out

Alexi sat back in his chair with a heavy sigh. Now all that’s left is for that red-headed ***** to let Ash off his leash and come help him, Alexi, out. Fat chance of that happening any time soon. Whenever Ash goes to see that Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis, he doesn’t come back for weeks. Now Alexi had to be patient for another couple of weeks to figure out what happened to his Delia.

And then his thoughts strayed to a familiar little red-head with horror filling her true blue eyes. He felt regret, thinking about how he coldly turned his back on her, leaving her to be tortured by Lafayette. Then he kicked her out as soon as she woke up.

She’s not Delia, he told himself. Before he abandoned her for the third time to New Orleans, he’d teach her how to defend herself. Against the lesser Daimons anyway.

year 3

Spoiler

~year 3~

She didn’t know if she was dreaming or not. Because sometimes, her nightmares turn into reality, causing her to continually run. In this dream, she was herself, yet she wasn’t.

Dallas watched—dazed—herself running for dear life again. She had no idea who she was running from or why. She had no idea who she was running to. Then she saw him again. The killer. Dallas continued running, racing to him until she could wrap her arms around him. She looked up and smiled in elation at him only to find him starring blankly ahead like she wasn’t even there holding him.

He blinked once, his gaze finally catching her confused ones in his won. His mouth formed words no ear could hear no matter how hard she strained. She read his lips, the last word formed. RUN.

Run?

Within a blink of an eye, the person in her arms was set aflame. Dallas gave an inaudible scream as she tried a failed attempt to let go. She looked up, panic taking over her. Not a lot of things could kill vampire, but they could die by fire! She craned her neck back, looking frantically for someone—anyone—that could help. There was emptiness. Black and silent as his face began melting like butter and his skin started becoming as dark as charcoal. And he smiled.

“Stop it. Stop it! Stop it!” she cried out. A chant to herself. A chant to the one responsible. A chant that gained volume with every breath she took until the next thing she knew, she was screaming.

Tears pooled in her eyes and fell, and fell again, as the man in her arms, her savior, turned to ash.

“You are sad,” a man’s voice announced, coming out of nowhere yet everywhere. “Surely your tears are wasted on this man. Is he not the same man that abandoned you?”

“He came back,” Dallas’s voice came out a whisper. “He came back for me.”

“So that is reason to shed tears.”

“You did this? You killed him?”

“Yes,” he spoke instantly, his voice honest and without remorse.

Dallas stood up in frustration, ready to shout at the entity that entered her dreams uninvited. And then she saw. A beautiful, young woman? No, not a woman. A beautiful man, like her mysterious immortal, and he was smiling. She suddenly became scared.

He tilted his head curiously at her. “I have come for you yet you are shaking? Are you so happy to see me?”

“You killed him,” she repeated.

“You asked that already.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“Ah!” he clapped. “The question you’ve wanted to ask finally comes out. I am many things my dear girl. I am pain. I am sorrow. I am anger and resent.” And then he smiled, stretching his arms out to her. “I am you.”

Dallas woke up

^-^

Dallas opened her eyes to see her best friend, Snookie, starring at her, her hand covering Dallas’s forehead. Snookie started talking to herself, shook her head, and walked away. Curious at what she was doing, Dallas got up and followed her past the living room which held holes in almost every corner, into the molded, rat infested kitchen where Snookie picked up a box of cold medicine.

“You are not feeding me that crap! Come one Snookie, I hate medicine.”

She whipped around so fast Dallas almost fell backward, and stuck her fist on her hips. “Hey, don’t you give me that missy. I don’ need you gettin’ sick okay?”

“Whoa Snookie, chillax. Just let me get a beer an’ I’ll be as good as new.” Dallas replied reaching for the cooler. When she opened it, she nearly freaked out. It’s empty! With a murderous look sent towards her friend, she said, “What. Did. You. Do. No, I don’t care. Just tell me you didn’t throw them at Rudolph again outta anger.” She sat down in depression what Snookie just stared. “Dayum Snookie, you know I love you like crazy but when you do psychotic things like that, it makes me cry.”

“I sold them,” Snookie announced proudly, laughing when Dallas choked on a sob. She couldn’t help but smile at the crying young woman in front of her, screaming her head off about the world ending and what-not. Her smile broadened as Dallas picked up a broken wine bottle and threatened to kill herself. “I need to buy a crib.”

“What could you possible need a crib for?!”

As soon as the question left her mouth, their other roommate Raphael, also known as Rudolph, walked in with a serious expression. Dallas panicked. The police couldn’t be making their rounds again yet could they? She had no desire to go back to prison. He sat down across from her and looked her in the eyes. “Dallas,” he began, “when a man loves a woman, he--”

“Shut the hell up! I don’t need to hear the talk from you!” And finally the box in her head clicked and she, Dallas, screamed with excitement. “We’re getting a crib? Oh! We’re getting a crib! Wait. How can we afford a crib? We can’t even afford a house for cryin’ out loud, an’ I need a drink, an’ why don’ I have a drink in my hand?”

“Because I bought a crib.” Snookie smiled again.

Dallas cried. “Yea. You bought a crib. So we got eight months to get an apartment hunh? We can’t raise a crib in this hell hole.”

“I know. I got a job.”

Dallas stopped everything at that. This should have been good news. Hell, this should have been great news, but a baby plus work for Snookie equaled stress. And it wasn’t fair. They both sent in the same applications at the same time. Both of them have been calling and trying their damndest to get a job to make things better for themselves. So why just her?

“That’s great.” Dallas put on her best smile and hugged her friend. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Yea? Things are changing D. I can feel it. We’re gonna be comfortable, legal, and happy. And I bought a crib.”

0_0

It’s been a couple of days now and Alexi has heard from neither Ash nor the woman he met a few days ago. Neither has he had another encounter with Lafayette. In all honesty, the last couple of days have been boring and uneventful.

He parked his bike outside of Charlie’s Boxing Gym in Royal Oak and walked in. He closed his eyes and walked around, allowing himself to take a torturing journey back into his past. Back to the time when he was King of the ring. Back to when the youngsters would come up to him and ask for his autograph, and tell him how they wanted to be just like him when they grew up.

Then he thought about his coach and mentor, Vincent Dumain, who was his true best friend. He was the one who warned Alexi about getting in trouble with the wrong crowd. But Alexi foolishly ignored, left the man who was his father-figure and became nothing more than a pawn in Tate’s game. The only thing that son of a ***** ever wanted was money, women, power, and obviously Alexander was the one who was going to get it all for him. Gone were the days of fancy foot work and the flying of fists against opponents who loved the sport just for the fun of it. After meeting Tate it was all about money. Then there were the underground cage fights and the drugs.

Alexi lost all his male glory. His body became thinner and thinner, as did his hair, with each day passing. Like Samson, he lost all his power and was really, now, a useless doll to his owner.

He tried to go back to Vinny and beg for forgiveness. But five years had already passed by then, and a lot of things had changed for the worst. Vinny was dead; his gym burned to the ground. And it was all Alexi’s fault. For the first time since he was a babe, he fell to his knees and cried. He cried for Vinny, for the gym, for the young men who ignorantly still look up to the has-been drug addict he is now. Most of all, he cried for himself, at what he’d become and what he’d been degraded to.

After that he crawled back to Tate, like an abused dog would to his master even after the black and blue treatment, and asked for a fix knowing he’d get kicked out on his ass. What the hell would Tate want with him now? Alexi had nothing left to offer. So he thought.

Tate gave him a calculating look and smiled against the cigarette between his lips. “How bad do you want it?”

Alexi had to force himself from the past after that. All he needed was to refresh his memory; to remind himself why he became a Dark-hunter in the first place. Why he would never again turn his back on another person in need regardless of the color of their hair. Why he need—desperately—his revenge. As soon as Artemis sealed his soul, the first person Alexi went to go find was that bastard Tate. But it appeared someone else got to him first, giving him well deserved torture before they decided to mutilate his body.

And so that’s how Delia came into mind. Beautiful Delia. He’d that about her another time though. The very fact that he is a Dark-hunter, a slave to the goddess Artemis, another red-head, is the reminder of why he must seek revenge against her. All he had to do was close his eyes and he’d see her smiling face, he’d feel the brush of her full lips affectionately against his cheek, and he’d still picture the deceit filling her emerald eyes. There was nothing that changed with her before she snapped. Delia was always untrustworthy, like Tate, but he just didn’t want to see it until it was too late.

“Damn it!” he shouted, his fist making contact with the punching bag nailed to the ceiling. Alexi went to hit it again until he felt panic, frustration, and anger enter his body. Almost immediately he knew who those emotions belonged to.

Walking outside he saw the woman with hair as red as blood run right past him. He wanted to call out to her, but as soon as she reached the end of the block, she started running back the way she came, and back again. Alexi just stared for a couple of minutes, trying not to laugh. “What on earth are you doing?” he called out and she nearly fell flat on her face.

“Hey!” she yelled at him. “You don’t do that to someone who’s trying to concentrate weirdo.”

“Says the one who’s running up and down the same block for no reason.” Alexi countered. “So you live in Royal Oak hm?”

She looked at him like he was crazy, then recognition filled her eyes followed by fear. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand why he hated that look coming from her. “Stop it!” he demanded, his voice coming out with a little more force than he wanted. “You don’t have to fear me. I’ve already decided no to hurt you.” So maybe that wasn’t the right thing to say since she took a step back and looked as if she’d run if he said “BOO!” How adorable.

He sighed. “Look. I was actually hoping I’d run into you again sooner or later.”

“I’m not giving you my blood.”

Alexi screwed his face up at that and the woman actually had the nerve to look offended. “No. I do not want you. I’m leaving in a soon. It might be tomorrow or it might be a couple of days, an’ I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“What? No, don’t go. What about your bad friends? What about--”

“Someone will be here to replace me but I want you to know how to defend yourself should you ever come in contact with another Daimon ok?” Alexi said, pointing his thumb towards the ring.

>.>

Dallas couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He’s really going to teach her how to slay vampires. She was excited, thinking to herself that Buffy the Vampire Slayer wouldn’t have anything compared to her. Yea, that has a ring to it. Her own TV show, “Dallas the Kick Ass Lovely Vampire Slayer!” If only Snookie was with her. Snookie…

“Nice offer, but I can’t. I have to get back to the house I’m squattin’ in or the others would start to worry.”

“C’mon,” he smiled, “you’ve been gone before. For two weeks remember?”

“Give or take a couple of days,” she added.

“Yea, so what’s a couple of minutes compared to that hm? Come on, you know you want to. Everyone’s doing it now-a-days. No one’s looking. Just give it a try. Peer pressure, peer pressure!”

“You know, you’d make a horrible friend.”

His smile grew as he held the door out for her. Might as well right? What other plans did she have for tonight? She walked into the gym and looked around. She’s never been to a real gym before. Couldn’t afford it. The only time she’s even seen the inside of a gym was when she was watching Rocky Balboa movies. “What’s your name?” Dallas didn’t want to call her hero Mystery Man forever.

“Alexander. Hey come over here.” He put on flat gloves and a crotch guard, and crouched as he told her to “Put your dukes up.”

He looked ridiculously silly in that stance but she did as asked. It was time to ‘throw some bowls.’ That’s how the saying goes right? Alexander ordered her to hit his gloves, but when she did, he busted out laughing. “What the hell was that? Where’d all that frustration go?” he braced himself again. “C’mon, hit it again.” She did with more force this time. “Good! Harder! Again!”

With determination, Dallas hit his gloved hands again, and again, and again, her frustration and irritation returning to her. Her fist made contact, giving an umph with each strike. She smiled at him, but instead of giving her praise like she expected, he gave her a tap on the side of the head. It wasn’t a violent tap, but it was hard enough to cause Dallas to stumble.

“What the hell what that?” she said as he tapped her again. “Cut it out. That’s not funny.”

“I thought I told you to keep your hands up,” was all Alexander replied as he gave her another tap. “Don’t give me room to hit your face, cause if I hit your face, you will feel it. Badly. Now hit me again.”

She did and he scooted to the right, tapping her. Dallas swung her left fist and he scooted to the left, tapping her again. She punched straight and he scooted back, tapping her again and again. “Alexander!”

“Keep your damn hands up!” he yelled, going to tap her again, but she blocked with her arm. “See there? Don’t. Let me. Hit. Your. Face. The next time, I’ll be going to knock some teeth out that pretty mouth of yours.”

Dallas went to jab him, he blocked and reached around to tap her again, but she caught him off guard. She ducked, scooting underneath his arm and brought her fist up to jab him in the face. See how he likes a taste of his own medicine. Her victory was short lived. Apparently he saw it coming, so he grabbed her fist within his gloved one. Anger welled up inside her. How the hell was she going to hit him if he kept moving around like some damn monkey! So instead of going for his face again, she pounded her fists against his chest in frustration.

“Stop cheating!” she yelled, her body shaking.

“I’m not cheating. And you’re not boxing.”

“Yes you are! Yes you are! I don’ wanna play with you anymore.”

“Stop acting like a kid and man up.”

“No!” Dallas barked.

;_;

Alexi took a step back. When he said he’d teach her to defend herself, he wasn’t expecting she’d act like a child over something so simple. “You were doing so well. You managed to catch me off guard.” His eyes widened when tears pooled in her eyes. “Are you really crying? I didn’t hit you that hard you know.”

“Shut up! I’m not crying.”

He clenched his fists, trying not to look annoyed. Alexi didn’t know how to handle woman’s tears. And this woman in front of him was starting to make him uncomfortable, so he guided her over to the table until she calmed down. “What’s the matter?” he said like a parent would a child.

The woman sitting across from him wiped at her eyes. Alexi felt uncomfortable again under her gaze, as if she was trying to decide whether to confide in him or not. With a sniff, she nodded and looked at her hands folded in her lap. “She’s pregnant again.” She finally said after a while. “She says she’s gonna keep it this time. And she bought a crib! I want to be happy for her, but we can’t raise a baby in the place we live. We’re livin’ in a vacant ****in house for cryin’ out loud! That’s no place for a ****in pregnant woman. And the hospital bills, and baby food, and clothes. We can’t go through this again. We can’t afford it. What little money we do have is spent on drinks and cigarettes and other shit a pregnant lady shouldn’t be consuming.

We’ve both been searching for a job, but did I get it? No, the ****in pregnant lady did. She doesn’t need to be on her damn feet, working like a dog for some sonova***** who doesn’t know how valuable she is. And don’t get me started on the people that’ll be raising that baby. I’m a drunk, Rudolph is good for nothing, and Snookie is just too naïve for her own good. It’s not fair. I want to be happy. I want to be good for something. I want to be the one that takes care of her, but look at me now. I can’t do anythin’ Alexander.” She finally allowed tears to fall.

Alexi continued starring. He wanted to say he didn’t care. He was about to say it, but her emotions reached out to him. Always reaching out to him help and comfort. He wouldn’t do it. But

“Why don’t you work for me?” He ended up saying anyway. It’s perfect. She already knows about the Daimons and she hasn’t gone running to everybody, telling them of their existence.

The woman laughed. “I’m not going to find people for you to kill Alexander.”

Once again, he screwed his face up. “What the hell is your problem? I am not a vampire. I am a Dark-hunter. And those people you saw me kill were Daimons created by the Greek god of the sun, Apollo.”

“And you dare call me crazy?”

He sighed and slumped against the table. “Listen. I said I was leaving soon right? While I’m gone, I’ll let you and your pregnant lady stay in my guest house. And when I say ‘work for me,’ I mean you can run me errands during the day, got it.”

She looked at him again with her shining sapphire eyes. “And you won’t ask me to do anything weird?”

“I’m starting to think you’re not worth the trouble. I don’t like women ok? Take it or leave it. In all honesty, I don’t really give a damn anymore.”

+D

Alexander walked Dallas home after their training was over. As long as she promised to never tell as soul, not even Snookie, about the Dark-hunters, she could work for him. And the pay would be good. Wait that was an understatement. That’s so stereotypically for a vampire to be rich and sexy. Too bad he didn’t like women. But Snookie was right about one thing. Things were changing for the better. Dallas was going to stick to her promise and take care of her. To hell with Rudolph.

They walked up the broken, wooden steps to the front door that was strangely open. Alarms set off in Dallas’s body as she raced past the front door into the living room and saw everything the same way as they first found it when they moved in. In total disarray. “Snookie!” She yelled, checking this room and that room. “Snookie? Rudolph!” She ran again, hearing rushed foot steps behind her and knew it was Alexander.

Dallas rushed up the stairs and busted through the bedroom door and saw her friend in a difficult position. “Snookie?” she said, her voice tight. Alexander came in and forced her out, checking her friend for a pulse. Tears filled her eyes again. “Snookie, wake up. I got a job.”

She took a couple of steps forward until she felt hands wrap around her and dragged her into the hall. Dallas screamed and Alexander reacted.

year 4

Spoiler

~year 4~

Alexi whipped around, taking out his pocket knife, and charged the man forcing the woman out of the room. All he could think about were her panicked, fear-filled screams. If anything, he would never allow her to be tortured again. He caught the man by the throat, disconnecting him from his employee, and forced all his weight on him. The act caused the man to lose balance and tumble down the stairs, a useless battle for Alexi's pocket knife.

Alexi heard his name being shouted from the top step as he and his opponent landed on the first floor; the fight for the knife continued. "Dammit Alexander! Stop!" the woman shouted, pulling at his hair.

He paused to growl at her. His hand was still on the man's throat as his face turned from victory to exasperation. "For the love of Zeus woman, what?"

"Don't 'for the love of Zeus woman' me!" she said, trying to imitate his voice. "Gah! What does that even mean? Whatever! I don't care!" she shouted before he got a chance to speak. "I've been calling you name, asking you to stop."

"You were screaming," he replied as if she didn't already know.

She blushed and looked away. "Well that was before I knew who it was. That thing you're sitting on is our good-for-nothing roommate, Rudolf," she explained.

Alexi just stared at her for a moment. He had to admit to himself that he was actually worried about the red-headed brat. This woman is going to give me gray hair one day, was his first thought. His second thought was, if she cared about this man that much, then he supposed he had no choice but to let him live—no matter how much he wanted to finish what was started. And so he let up without another thought.

The man beneath him cursed, shoving himself from the ground. An effort to save what little pride he had left from being crushed.

"You're mother must have really hated you." Alexi gave him a sympathetic glance.

"Shut-up! What's your problem man? My name's not Rudolf!" He straightened his spine and lifted his chin. "It's Rafe. What the heck are you doing anyway?"

"You were man-handling her," Alexi pointed out, looking curiously at the man in front of him. He looked from his golden brown hair to his pale blue eyes, lingering on his mouth a bit longer than he should. His gaze dropped down to his jaw line that looked impossibly attractive unshaven. Noticing the slightest smile forming on his lips, Alexi's eyes shot back up to see Rafe's amused ones; his pose annoyingly relaxed. Alexi went to speak, but his voice sounded strained so he cleared his throat and spoke again. "You were man-handling her."

Rafe shrugged unapologetically. "She was shouting, Snookie's sleeping. She's pregnant and I'm sure you know how much hormones can mess up a woman's emotions." He sighed, smiling to himself.

"What the hell kina person sleeps like that? That just ain't healthy," Dallas commented after checking on her friend again. Alexi and Rafe watched as she made a concerned face, trying to vertically copy the difficult position Snookie slept in. She only ended up looking like she was suddenly deformed in the upper body. Finally giving up, she looked around the room in dismay. "Look at this place."

"It'll be fine D. It won't look this way by the time you wake up tomorrow."

"Damn straight it won't!"

"I promise."

Alexi got up and took in the extent of the damage made. It was unbelievable that someone like Rafe could cause all this wreckage by himself. Lamps and tables were broken. Shades were torn from their places on the windows covered by cardboard. The only couch in the room was turned over and burnt to a crisp, and the hole in the floor that first appeared to be minor seemed to have mysteriously widened. He walked over to the hole and peeked down it. There was no way this person could have done all this by himself. Obviously there was a fight that took place here. And Snookie slept through the whole thing?

Alexi turned back to Rafe, the only one left in the room, with a sudden envy he didn't expect. How could this man, this so-called 'good-for-nothing' man still look the way he does in the condition he lives in? He still had a head full of thick, honey brown locks running down to his shoulder blades. Rafe's skin was as golden as the sun that only succeeded in making him look annoyingly perfect in his pure male body. He's living in a vacant house for crying out loud! So why doesn't he look remotely close to the way Alexi does now?

Like death?

"Like what you see?" Rafe said, laughter in his tone.

Now he understood. Raphael wasn't mortal. He wasn't human. He's one of Apollo's freaks! Alexi thought accusingly. He must have dyed his damn hair brown. But then again, Daimons had no warmth to their skin. They had no life. No soul. Rafe seemed to glow with life a bit overflowing. Where the hell have I seen him before?

"Do you really want to start something Dark-Hunter?"

"You're not doing anything wrong by staying here."

"Uh-hunh. So are you gonna tell me why you're here then?"

"Wasn't planning on it."

Alexi should have checked Snookie's throat while checking her pulse to see if there were any bite marks there. That way he could be certain if the good for nothing really was one of Apollo's freak accidents. He had nothing against Rafe on a personal level. He just needed a reason to kick his ass. If he was keeping Snookie and the red-head as a midnight snack, then that was the perfect excuse to attack and tear in to his perfect, angelic features.

Rafe seemed to guess where his thoughts were heading for his jaw tensed and his eyes became cold and hard. "Careful Dark-Hunter, I'm not keeping them as my pets. I happen to be quite fond of Snookie and Dallas." Alexi made a sound of disgust, causing Rafe's lips to curve up slightly. "Believe what you want, but like I said, do you want to start something here?"

Alexi stared at him for a moment. Marching upstairs to check on Snookie—just for the hell of it—was very tempting. He wondered what Rafe would do if he really decided to act. But instead, he resisted temptation and said, "So what really went on here?"

"I got drunk and trashed the place."

"Mythical beings can't get drunk off of substances consumed by humans."

"This doesn't concern you."

"No. You're wrong about that. I've decided to employ you red-headed friend. And when a fight 'tween mythical freaks goes down in what my squire is currently calling a home," he grimaced at the word 'home', "then I make it my concern."

O_o

What fools these mortals be, she thought to herself as she sat on the window sill, staring out at the people below who were in ignorant bliss. They live their so-called happy lives as if they didn't have a care in the world. They are born; they grow old and work for someone who couldn't give two shakes of a leg about them; they grow older and they die. And then someone else is born—the never ending cycle repeating itself again and again until humanity disappears.

She hated the fact that she envied those who are born, work, grow old, and die. She hated feeling envy for the humanity in ignorant bliss who are only on borrowed time. Like she once was.

And then her thoughts drifted to a man with a feminine body and the most alluring, amber-colored eyes. His hair, thin and wavy that didn't go past his ear lobes. Her beautiful Alexander. The last few days they spent together were the hardest days of her life. She never meant for him to get hurt. She never meant for him to die the way he had—young and thinking ill of her. Alexander's time was supposed to end when he was well into his old age. She was going to make it so. What went wrong?

The door opened—in stepped the man who was supposed to be long since dead; a ghost who came back from oblivion to reminder her just what the hell went wrong.

"My love, I have missed you," he said, his tone as warm and welcoming as his smile. She knew it was all a front. There was no chance he'd ever look the same way at her again.

"Welcome back."

His smiled faded as he inched closer to her. "Why are you so tense? I believe celebration is called for." He made a detour to the wine cabinet, poured two glasses of Scotch, and returned to her. "Now this brings back old memories doesn't it?"

She nodded, not taking a sip from her glass. There was no way—no matter how much she desired—she'd believe he came here to reminisce.

He laughed at her; his laughter warm, deep, and soft. Like she always remembered. "Why must I now have some evil motive to come and visit my favorite woman?

Her face turned blank. "I don't understand."

"You're like an open book, my love. And the look you give me is always cautious and accusing."

"You teach me well," she replied after a moment. "You give me lessons that I'd be too stupid to forget. I have learned to use caution with you. Because you are like a ticking time bomb that never has a predictable ending. I don't know if it'd blow up in my face or it was planted right under someone dear to me."

Emotions fled his face with each word that left her mouth.

She turned her back to him, her gaze retreating to look out the window to the streets that were no longer crowded with busy people. No more ignorant bliss. The small town turned from lively and clean, to abandoned, to decaying. Finally there was nothing there at all. Her eyes had nowhere else to go so she turned back to him, looking over his shoulder as he took steps closer.

"The Daimons are getting bored," she admitted. "Your descendant has decided to work with you. Apollymi is known as the great Destroyer—the Atlantean goddess of destruction. I have no doubt she wouldn't mind lending us her son."

"Be certain," he whispered. And then his mouth came down on hers; a slight brush of the lips, before he stood and started off.

Her tongue slipped out to wet her suddenly dry lips. This was the man she vowed to love with every fiber of her being; until the end of time. He scared her and made her hurt more times than not over the endless centuries of his absence. But even so, she knew she could, and would, deny him nothing. Excitement sprouted inside her.

"I'll call on her tomorrow." Her voice sounded husky even to her own ears.

"Next week," he said, and his word was final.

"Chronos?"

His brilliant sapphire eyes, darkened with lust, found her emerald ones and held. "I have need of you elsewhere."

Delia's excitement grew.

o_O

Alexi entered his house and went straight to his TV. For the life of him he couldn't shake Raphael from his thoughts. Where the hell have I seen him before? he wondered. It pissed him off that he couldn't remember who he was, but he'd figure everything out as soon as he got rid of Lafayette and figured out what really happened to Delia.

He thought about the players of this game: Ash, the Greek gods, Stryker—his Daimons included, himself and Dallas, Delia, and Chronos.

Annoyed, Alexi cursed loudly, flopping on the couch and turning the channel to Cartoon network. Anime sounded good right now anyway, and a new episode of Naruto was currently on. He relaxed until he heard Naruto, talking to the pale-eyed girl, Hinata, shouted, 'Believe it!' He gave an exasperated sigh. "Dammit Naruto! You keep telling me to 'believe it!' but just what the hell should I believe?" He got up and paced. "So, what? I should believe Delia, my Delia, tortured and killed me just so she could gain immortality—have her time stopped or whatever—by some ancient Greek god—a freakin' ancient Greed god that just so happened to have been killed by his own damned sons, mind you—who some can argue is still alive? That makes… no sense! Look, Naru, you have your inner demons too, an' I respect that, but you just don't know what the hell you're talking about most of the time."

"Are you seriously talking to a cartoon?"

Alexi started at the sound of Ash's voice behind him. For the first time in a long time he was actually glad to see his fierce leader and long time friend. "A sight for my sore eyes," Alexi sighed, laughter in his voice. It's not the first time he's been caught going off on an anime.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Are you coming on to me again?"

"No! Don't look at me like that. If I was coming on to you, you'd know it. 'Sides, my time and efforts would be wasted on you."

He made a noise but Ash was smiling in good humor. Alexi actually had to turn away from him to get himself back in check. The man was one of the most gorgeous men he's ever seen. He frowned at himself when his thoughts traveled to Rafe. Getting his mind back on track, he turned to Ash with determination and declared, "I'm going to New Orleans."

"Absolutely not."

Alexi gaped. Certainly he didn't hear what he thought. "No? 'The hell you mean? Why not?"

"You have no business in New Orleans."

"Julian Alexander," Alexi said with some disbelief. He's not one to ask favors, but when he does it's obviously important. How could the ass be so unreasonable and absolute when this was only his first favor? He clenched his fists and began to explain himself even though he hated to. "I can't have you to myself 24/7. Kyrian told me his has a friend, a professor at Tulane, who knows about the Greek gods too. Probably not as well as you, but he's Aphrodite's kid—if I'm not mistaken. Your schedule is unpredictable. The damned woman that has you leashed is unpredictable. So if you can't be here when I need you, I need to go to someone who is just a tad bit more available than you.

There. He said it. Ash is sometimes unreliable when he's needed the most. If he still said 'no' then Alexi would probably walk out. "Look, how many of us are there? You can't just spend all your time with one. But it's whatever now. Even if you didn't approve, I'd still go."

"Because Delia's involved." The mighty leader finally spoke.

Alexi shrugged.

"I heard you fought against a Spathi. Clearly you survived."

He shrugged again.

"Your cartoon's going off."

A third and final time, Alexi shrugged. This is what he gets for asking for someone's help. It didn't work in the past and, apparently, nothing has changed. Not even with someone—the only one—he actually considered friend.

Trying not to let his hurt show, Alexi turned and went to his room to pack. Ash appeared in front of him. He had to bend to Alexi's height to look him in the eye.

"Alexander, I don't want you going to New Orleans."

Alexi exploded. "Dammit! Dammit Ash! Don't you dare treat me like a damned child! I may not be as old as you, but I am every bit an adult as you. Don't ever, in your life, talk down to me again! I ain't your damned slave."

"Calm down Alexander," Ash warned.

"Or you'll what?"

Ash snatched his sunglasses off, his eyes blazing, and walked purposefully to where Alexi paced. Alexi has only seen this much fury in Ash's unusual silver eyes once before. He couldn't usually feel the man's emotions, but he could now, and he found himself cowering away as Ash advanced.

He had nowhere else to shy away to. Alexi's back hit the wall. He made a move to step to the right when Ash's first slammed against the wall centimeters from his face. "If you go, you will die."

Alexi's eyes finally shot to Ash's in disbelief, horror, and then his own fury reached him. "You would threaten me?" It was almost shouted. "So, what? You gonna hurt me now? You gonna make me scream and beg for mercy? You wanna dominate me like all the others, oh fearless leader?"

Ash understood. Maybe he approached the situation from the wrong angle. "No Alexander, it's a warning. I don't want you to die, but if you go to New Orleans and lose your life, there will be no way for me to bring you back."

[Random Ms K]

i'll add more when i start typing again, thanks for stopping by!

[ZonieCatz]

Can't wait to read!

Thanks 4 sharing...

[KageNoKensai]

Where've you been Random Ms. K? lol
Looks like I voted for your story in the contest.

[animeemey]

those stores are really good to damn good uh keep up

[Random Ms K]

@ Z: *giggles*

@ Kage: how does everyone keep guessing it's mine first Nate, then some random person i haven't talked to says, "i'm gonna vote for yours" and now you. it was the curse words wasn't it

@ ani: well jeez, i just put this thread up. you read them all already? there's only 3 stories right now, but jeez. i'll add another one soon. and if you liked these, then go over to my Insanity story and read that one too, yea?

[animeemey]

sure i will

[ZonieCatz]

Originally Posted by Random Ms K

how does everyone keep guessing it's mine first Nate, then some random person i haven't talked to says, "i'm gonna vote for yours" and now you. it was the curse words wasn't it

I thought as much, but was refraining from comment LOL

(totally unrelated spoiler: )

Spoiler

right now trying not to bang my head into the wall b/c the 3 males in the house (except the cats) have roped me into sitting thru an ep of phineas n ferb... is this supposed 2 b any good???

[KageNoKensai]

Originally Posted by Random Ms K

@ Kage: how does everyone keep guessing it's mine first Nate, then some random person i haven't talked to says, "i'm gonna vote for yours" and now you. it was the curse words wasn't it

Oh I didn't guess.

Spoiler

While I was searching the social groups for groups related to writing, I found the one you created and in which you save your stories and fanfics. This was after I voted though, so I was surprised it was you since you've been away from the Library for a while.

Originally Posted by ZonieCatz

(totally unrelated spoiler: )

Spoiler

right now trying not to bang my head into the wall b/c the 3 males in the house (except the cats) have roped me into sitting thru an ep of phineas n ferb... is this supposed 2 b any good???

I love that sh*t. lol. Some episodes can be cheesy or boring compared to the rest of the series, but most of the time they got a few lines that I appreciate. Heck, I even like Perry the Platypus.

[Random Ms K]

updated, "A Friday Morning with Dorian"
if you've been following my Insanity story from the very very beginning, then it's not new to you. Thanks for stopping by!

Originally Posted by KageNoKensai

Oh I didn't guess.

Spoiler

While I was searching the social groups for groups related to writing, I found the one you created and in which you save your stories and fanfics. This was after I voted though, so I was surprised it was you since you've been away from the Library for a while.

I love that sh*t. lol. Some episodes can be cheesy or boring compared to the rest of the series, but most of the time they got a few lines that I appreciate. Heck, I even like Perry the Platypus.

damn, i'm gonna have to find some other hideout for my stuff now
lol, but yea, i was kidnapped by giant lizards from outer space and Meep had to come rescue me i really hate playing the damsel in distress...

and if you didn't catch that, Z, "Meep" is a cute little critter from Phineas and Ferb <3 <3 <3
that show is freakin' awesome. i even have my own Perry jacket that i sorta/kina stole from one of my ex-sweeties... >///>

Spoiler