Of Monsters and Men Uruha x Ruki 1/??

[draculin]

Title: Of Monsters and Men
Chapter(s): 1/??
Author: draculin
Genre: Romance, Supernatural, (Mis)adventure,
Warnings: Blood, smut , character death(s),  
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing(s)/Characters: UruhaxRuki [main, eventual], ReitaxUruha, KaixUruha, AoixUruha, ??xRuki [side]
Summary: He wandered through years, yearning for solace & completion after being cast from mortality. For an eternal lifetime, Kouyou Takashima would be the witness and the victim of a war that was as immortal as he. For reasons unknown, he has chosen the young journalist, Takanori Matsumoto, to hear his story. And still a question remains: why recall this tale, to such a stranger as Takanori?
Disclaimer: Oh you know they have my name tattooed on each one of their asses...not.
Comments: So this idea is really something I wasn't planning on developing into anything, but now that I wrote up this portion, I figured it wouldn't be such a bad thing if I had a second story to shift focus to when I start to fall behind on Fist & Furious (Kinda like right now..) I really don't know what direction I'll take this in; I've got some possibilities, but it's still in limbo. So let me know your thoughts. It's a little "Interview with a Vampire"-esque, but this is only the beginning!

I

For a successful reporter, he was young. But youth mattered not to Takanori Matsumoto.

He knocked on the door to apartment 7B and waited patiently. Takanori felt strange in the setting; it was certainly odd to have someone call him, out of the blue, and ask the journalist, who usually dug up dirt on today’s celebrities, to record his…or her story. He didn’t even know the client’s name.

Before he knocked on the door again, the brunette heard light footsteps coming from behind the entryway. Yet, they stopped before they sounded like they were close enough to welcome him. Takanori briefly assumed his subject was taking one last look in the mirror before he, or she, greeted him. He sighed when the door didn’t open seconds later.

“I can see that you’re busy. Call me if you would like to reschedule.” Takanori sighed and started his retreat back to his office - somewhat disappointed to miss out on a mysterious stranger’s tale.

His luck changed when the door creaked open.

Takanori turned around, not wanting to insult the host with having his back to whoever it was. Again, however, oddity struck when there was no one standing there to answer. He couldn’t deny the open door in front of him, and so Takanori pushed the entrance to apartment 7B open and stepped inside.

“Hello? Is someone home? I’m Takanori Matsumoto, the writer you called.”

The space was dimly lit. From what he could see, there were only three lights in the entire apartment on - a small lamp in the far corner of the living room, exposing minimal amounts of, shockingly elegant, decoration, a light from the kitchen, and one more coming from somewhere down the narrow corridor behind the wall of the short foyer.

The brunette toed off his shoes and lightly treaded further into his host’s home. The silence was too eerie for his linking, although he admired the few antiques that were scattered about the living room.

While Takanori was awestruck by the detail of an exquisite grandfather clock, a shadow swept past him. He gasped sharply and whipped around, out of fear; he felt his heart pound against his chest when he was instantly met with the sight of, who he hoped was, his host.

“Did I frighten you, little one?”

“If that was what you were trying to do, then yes. Are you the one who called me?”

“Indeed, I am. Oh! Forgive my manners. I never gave you my name. I am Kouyou Takashima. You, I presume, are Takanori.”

“Yeah.” He was still managing to catch his breath after the scare. That’s another year off my life…I’ve got to quit smoking. ”So…Shall we get started? I must admit, you have me intrigued.” And indeed, Takanori spoke the truth; there was no denying the unusual pull that Kouyou had on him that made the brunette want to know more.

In the dim light, Kouyou was much of a puzzling character. Although there was a lively glimmer in his amber eyes, the journalist had a feeling that there was something wicked behind them. Even the way his auburn locks fell on his shoulders made him seem darker; Takanori could have sworn he could see evil in his soul.

Yet, Kouyou smiled. “Right this way.” He led his guest into the kitchen and seated him at an ornate mahogany dining set that was out of place from the rest of the room’s disheveled appearance.

“This is a very interesting piece.” Takanori still felt that it deserved a complement, seeing that it was placed among cabinets hanging off their hinges, wallpaper that was beginning to peel, and appliances that have served well-past their purpose. His fingertips graced the surface, feeling the crevices of the wood. Clearly, after feeling the table’s edges, it was hand-carved.

His host was drawing out a bottle of wine from the rack against the wall. “Thank you. It has been in my family for ages. I’m surprised it is still in one piece.” Kouyou set a crystal goblet in front of Takanori. “Would you care for a taste of Cabernet? I just had it imported.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I really shouldn’t drink while I’m on the job.”

The elder sat adjacent to him and raised an eyebrow to his statement. “Come now, you’re among a friend. Besides, this is not a story to hear if you’re stiff and closed-minded, Takanori. You will soon realize that I am not like everyone else. Relax. Let me be the one to be concerned.” It was almost graceful, how Kouyou poured the luxurious drink into the glasses before him; Kouyou’s words, and his voice, left Takanori with no other choice.

The brunette unzipped his backpack, taking out a classic tape recorder and a notepad. He took off his glasses and set them on the table - careful of their delicate nature. The journalist clicked his pen, jotted down the name of his subject, then reached for the record button on the machine. “Ready?”

Kouyou took a sip of his wine and sat back in his chair, crossing his legs. “Let us begin.”

The brunette pushed the button and began his standard questioning. “When did you realize you were…not like everyone else?”

“I was twenty-two. There was very little that I cherished at the time. All it took was that one night to change my life…forever.”

“Nothing you enjoyed?”

“I did love music, very much so. To this day, I still adore the little melodies that seem to crawl around in my mind.”

“Can you tell me about that night?”

Kouyou inhaled deeply before he reluctantly responded. “Certainly…”

My family had relocated to London many years ago. Mother told me countless times that it was due to father’s business, yet I had my doubts. I could only wonder how big the demand was for coroners.

We were outsiders; we did not know the customs, nor were we very fluent in the language. However, I noticed that mother and father caught on quickly. I, on the other hand, was a bit slow.

My father was impressed with the advances made in the medical world, and the culture had him absolutely captivated; he said that our neighbors were some of the most interesting creatures he had ever come into contact with. Mother, however, kept mostly to herself. Sure, she found hobbies in sewing and reading, but my mother was more concerned with our comfort. However, there was little she could do to put me at ease. Sending me back home was out of the question, of course.

People did not flock to us; it was a blessing as much as it was a curse. As much as I already despised having to leave a place I grew up in, I was curious about my new environment. This included the home we settled into while in London. It was quite aged, the house, or manor, I should say - dark and wooden, with creaky floors, far too many rooms, and a nearly-infinite staircase in the center of the foyer. There was not much light that could enter from outside. Mother found it to be quite elegant, no matter the number of repairs it needed. I was disgusted, but something within me calmed; I suppose I was just mentally adjusting to the fact that this would be the place I would be dwelling in.

I grew up, into my teen years, then on to young adulthood. That was when I started to feel…a very peculiar urge inside - like there was something inside trying to get out. I had felt these feelings before then, but I diagnosed them as normal symptoms of my anatomy’s development. Still, it made me feel ill, in body and soul. And I felt the need to hide it, keep that feeling tamed to the point where even I would not know it is there. Never did I ever think, even in the slightest, that I should tell someone how I was feeling; not even my father and mother knew.

Eventually, I started my studies at the nearby university. Medicine was my major; apparently, I was quite gifted in chemistry and knowledge of the human body. My father’s discussions at the dinner table actually proved to be quite useful. I spent many hours studying, alone. There was not a single person I chose to socialize with. I felt too awkward, too different, and rather estranged from their culture. It truly was difficult to adapt.

Then I was approached, by a young man about the same age as I. Akira Suzuki, his name was. He was quite striking, physically and mentally; I’ll never forget that ridiculous strip of cloth he wore over his nose. I found it rather odd that he would approach me so suddenly, out of nowhere, but our friendship was almost instant. Where I was cold and calculated, he was bright and carefree. It would be a lie if I said I did not learn a thing or two about life from Akira. But what was most peculiar about my friend was the fact that we could only meet after the sunset.

We grew attached to each other. I would have liked to consider us brothers, but each time he looked at me, there was a gleam of something far more than just brotherhood. Most of the time, I figured he was just fooling around; we were only friends.

He came to me one night, asking me to join him for a gathering outside of town. Neither of us knew who would be there, what type of congregation this would be, or even if we were welcome at all. Akira’s thinking was, “We’ll find out, the hard way if we must.” So we made an appearance. I felt the strange twinges from my younger years resurface, but they were much stronger now.

The vibe from the other guests was awkward as it mingled with my own. I felt the energies they emitted, even Akira’s, and I was quite certain that they were feeling me out. Privacy was surely doubted. Still, Akira and I continued drifting through the large mansion. The further we went in, the stronger those spasms became.

“Akira…I need a break.” I leaned against a wall, feeling short of breath and almost too tired to continue. “I don’t feel well.”

Any other day, my health was one of my noseless companion’s main concerns, given the pallor of my skin and my slim figure. Tonight was the exact opposite. “Come on, Kouyou. Get up.” I could tell he wasn’t at his best either, but he sure had the energy to give me lip. “We’re almost there.” He took a firm hold of my hand and dragged me to stand.

“But where is “there,” hm?” How many more levels would we have to investigate? I lost count. Each room gave way to deepen the maze, meaning I would struggle to find my way out; I debated on leaving Akira alone and returning home, but the grip he kept on my hand meant I wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.

There were more whispers, more eyes on us, the deeper we ventured.

“I can’t take it anymore.” I pulled my hand out of my friend’s clutch. By this point, I was more than irritated that he brought me this far into this gathering and never once bothered to explain a single detail. Akira either always knew what he was doing, or had no clue at all; looking into his eyes, I knew he was hiding something from me.

He looked at both sides of the corridor, choosing between the doors on either side. “Come here.” He opened one of the doors, giving way to a rather luxurious bedroom. As soon as I walked in, he closed the door behind me.

“What is this all about, Akira?” I didn’t turn around to look at him; I didn’t want to. The scene before me was intriguing - a king-sized bed with a canopy above it, a tall, darkwood armoire in the corner, and the most elegant vanity dresser. The chandelier above me did not glow; only the moonlight that shone through the large window across the space granted me a view of its contents.

I heard my friend take a deep breath, but he never answered me.

“Tell me.”

He came up behind me. I could feel his breath ghost against my neck. “We’re not like most, Kouyou. You and I, and every other person here…we are not human…”

I finally turned around to look at him, but being so close together, my nose nearly touched his. “What do you mean?”

Akira whispered as he slowly closed his eyes, as if it was painful to tell me this. “We are vampires, Kouyou.”

A chuckle rose in my throat. I smiled and gently placed my palms on his face. I was already chilled to the bone, but his cheeks were ice in my hands. “You are crazy, my friend. We are not those monsters from those nightmarish stories.” He finally opened his eyes; his face was so crestfallen. Akira wasn’t lying. My hands fell from his face. I stepped back and started for the door.

I was about to grab the doorknob, but I was forcefully shoved against the wall. Akira pressed his hands against it on either side of my head. I have never seen him become so irritated in all the time I have known him. As if being cold wasn’t enough, growing fear was causing me to shudder. “My friend, please, calm down.”

“I don’t think you understand…And it’s no wonder. You’re not even awake.”

I saw his eyes gleam with such hatred. In the years I’ve spent studying the physical and mental capabilities of human beings, nothing could explain Akira’s sudden transformation.

His eyes, irises of chocolate brown, faded into a washed-out gray. His unnaturally light blonde hair took on a silky shine under the moonlight. And as he snarled at me venomously, I began to shudder twice as hard when my sight fell on the pair of fangs that grew.

“Akira…”

“I told you I could never lie…and it is time you see the truth for yourself.”

There was not even a second for me to protest. Instantly, I felt the burning sting of his teeth pierce the flesh of my neck. I began to see red, then white; I was blinded by the pain. Then the urges, those blasted intrusions, returned. My heart pounded in my head. As everything began to clear, I realized that I was screaming in agony. Yet, I still clutched desperately to Akira’s shoulders - as if he was my lifeline. My nails dug past the material of his shirt and into his skin.

I could feel his bite relax and soon after, he released my neck. Through half-lidded eyes, I saw Akira’s head fall back - a line of blood, my blood, trickled down his jaw. Still, I was traumatized; I slid to the floor and huddled against the wall. My body trembled, my skin was cold, and I grew nauseous as I felt my anatomy change. Everything became distorted once more. The worst of the pain came through when every tooth in my mouth was forced to shift as my incisors widened and elongated.

“You’re lucky, Kouyou. Mortals have to die before they can join our ranks.”

My voice was hoarse from screaming. “Why…am I like this?” I looked to my friend for comfort - for answers. I shouldn’t have been shocked when he showed no sympathy for me. There was no denying that Akira was proud to be a vampire.

“It amazes me that your family didn’t bring it out of you sooner. What did they think they were protecting you from? We are at the top of the food chain, Kouyou! Those filthy mortals bow down to us!” He knelt down and gripped my shoulders tightly. “Think about it, my friend. You will no longer be the subject of ridicule and torture. Make them bend to please you.”

I saw how much he reveled in the feeling of being powerful. Initially, I thought I could be nothing like that. But these hands…now they were capable of killing in cold blood.

Blood…That was my lifeline now. And there was nothing I could do but accept that.

“Akira…” Although my hand was so unsteady, I had the strength to run my fingers through those golden locks, trail down his cheek, until my palm finally rested on his neck. His pulse was so strong under my touch; I could almost feel the blood course through his veins.

He leaned into me, his lips just barely gracing mine. Simply through new instinct, I knew our nature was purely driven by lust now. I craved contact, desired his body against me, and just wanted his blood. Akira must have sensed it. Next thing I knew, he helped me to my feet and guided me to the bed. I was still weak from the trauma of transforming; all it took for me to fall into the mattress was a push.

I shifted to lie on my back. The sudden movement made me dizzy. Turning my head to face Akira, I watched him slip out of his jacket. He unbuttoned the upper portion of his black, silk shirt and climbed on top of me. I could feel the raw power and heat radiate from his being; I was just the opposite - weak and cold.

My companion stood on his knees above me, straddling my waist. He finally shed the shirt, granting me the sight of his muscular torso. I felt my mouth go dry as my eyes drank in the view so greedily.

Akira bent down and kissed me gently; it was a world of difference from how dominating he acted earlier. He kissed his way across my cheek. With lips pressed to my ear, he whispered to me. “Feed, Kouyou. Drink from me.”

I needed no instruction, nor did I have to look for my target. I caressed the smooth flesh he presented to me, and with little hesitation, my mouth latched onto his neck; piercing the jugular so precisely, he groaned once I struck.

As the erogenous liquid flowed over my tongue, I felt such a pleasant burn travel down my throat and into the pit of my stomach. Even the most exotic of liquors could not bring such euphoria.

My senses were overwhelmed once I began to embrace my eternal rebirth. Akira’s scent infiltrated my nose - the smell of wood and tobacco suited him. Every breath he took echoed. I knew my own breathing was erratic. Even his skin felt electrified; when I brought myself back to consciousness, I realized I was tracing the dips and curves of his torso.

Hearing him cough and struggle for breath, I released my bite. In the back of my mind, I thought otherwise - that I should have drained him of every last drop.

He chuckled darkly, kissing me once more - tasting the remnants of his life source that lingered on my lips. “You won’t rid me of this world so easily. We are immortal.”

To think that I could no longer be the victim of mortal illness and fatal wounds…I was relieved as much as I was afraid. There was no way I could survive an eternity on my own; it was then that I realized I needed an ally - I needed Akira.

And I made sure he would know.

It didn’t matter if he was my friend or my brother; I wanted my companion to see how much he meant to me now, more than ever.

I rolled us over, pinning the blonde beneath me. He seemed pleasantly surprised that I would be so assertive - towards him, of all people. A part of me was awakened; never have I craved the indulgence of lust, but above Akira, it was all I could think about. For years, I often secretly envied those who were graced by Akira’s interest and wished I would be the subject of his charms. I’ve never been one for seeking attention, but this one time, it felt good to have my way.

My nails, now longer and sharper, grazed his skin, leaving thin and bloody scratches where I applied pressure. I couldn’t steer my gaze away from his. Still pebble gray, his eyes were more hypnotic when they were highlighted by the moonlight. I dipped my head down for our lips to meet again; Akira was more than happy to oblige.

But still, I craved more. Already wedged between his legs, my curiosity began to emerge when I became aware of the sensation of his clothed erection against my thigh. And judging by how far up I could feel it, he was just as lust-driven as I was; suddenly, I realized that my own body was beginning to ache in the same manner. My hands traveled down his body, finding the button of his slacks and making quick work of pulling them away from his body.

“You know…” He broke our heated kiss, lightly toying with the chain that hung around my neck. “It isn’t very fair for me to be the only one unclothed here.” Akira tugged on the collar of my shirt. His eyes never left mine as he smirked - a single fang poking out. Silently, he was asking me to join him in immodesty sooner rather than later. And I wasn’t about to say no.

It was not long until we were as bare-assed as the day we were born. Our passion was fierce - so damn much, we bled over it. Hands roaming bodies, fangs bared, we were shrouded in each other’s existence. It barely registered in our heads that something was terribly wrong.

In the midst of our act, Akira froze and sharply turned his head to stare at the door. “Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?” I couldn’t tell if he was playing up his next move or if there was trouble on the other side of that door. I propped myself up on my elbows when he rushed from the bed to throw on his clothes. “Where the hell are you going?”

“I’ll explain later.” He finished buttoning his shirt before making his way to the door. The sense of danger was gnawing away at me. Truly, I knew something was wrong, especially when I heard Akira mutter, “They found us,” and at such a delicate phase, I was concerned about my only companion leaving me alone. If I didn’t feel so ashamed of my presently naked body, I would have gone after him.

“Akira, wait!”

He turned around. Our eyes met for the final time that night. Oh how I just wanted to tell him to stay. “Be careful.” The slightest grace of relief washed over me when my friend retreated back to the bed. “Kouyou…” He leaned in to linger above me. “Whatever you do, you must keep close to the darkness, but the shadows are enemies as much as they are comrades. And no matter what Kouyou, do not deny who you are.”

“But Akira, wh-”

“Shh. There’s no time right now. I’ll find you soon. Do not leave this room.” His tone was stone-cold with that last demand, but I knew he was only concerned about my well-being. Akira then took my face in his hands. “Do you understand?”

I was beyond confused; all I could do now was abide by his command. “I understand.”

He pressed his lips to my forehead. “I will return to you, Kouyou. I promise. Never forget that there is light in the dark.” He left me with those words, and I could only wonder how long I would have to wait for him to come back.

Takanori stared at his host; he wasn’t prepared for such a detailed story. He lamented not taking Kouyou’s advice about being relaxed and open-minded so seriously, and reached for the glass of wine.

The taste of the liquor was not to his liking, given that the journalist was not a fan of alcohol to begin with, but maybe this tale would be easier to swallow while under the influence. “So what happened? Are you still waiting?”

Kouyou halted his tempered pacing across the room. He smiled down at his half-emptied goblet before responding. “For many years, I kept hope, even if my sanity was slowly slipping from my grasp. However, I had to move on eventually. I soon learned of the dangers I now faced because of my species.”

“I take it your story doesn’t end here, right?”

“Oh Takanori, we have barely scratched the surface.”