Log: Bane & Hiyoshi

[hellish_demise]

Who: Bane & Hiyoshi
What: Bane runs across Hiyoshi while out and proceeds to annoy the heck out of him.
When: October 19th or thereabouts.
Where: A cafe
Rating: PG-ish?


Hiyoshi was on the verge of nodding off again, head nearly resting on his textbook. He was doing some late-night studying at his favourite 24-hour cafe, but fatigue had finally taken its toll in spite of copious amounts of caffeine. Blearily, Hiyoshi thought he saw someone vaguely familiar enter the cafe, but shook his head and focused on keeping his eyes open instead.

It didn’t take a lot to keep Kurobane Harukaze happy. A few good cobs of corn roasted to perfection, a delicious cup of coffee, a good book, and possibly watching Saeki Kojirou squirm; those were all favorite things, which was why this particular night saw him sauntering his way into the 24-hour café he had spied during his customary trek around the city; a trek that had taken place merely because he was determined to rid the city of witch or two, should he run across them. The rather tall vampire had been disappointed by the decided lack of magic wielding mortals wandering the streets tonight and thought a cup of coffee would go a long way toward easing that discontent, especially if it came with a slice of coffee cake he spied sitting in a place of honor just within the glass casing he approached to place his order at.

Once his coffee and cake had been prepared and handed over, he turned to make his way toward an empty table. His plan to claim one for himself was short lived, however. Brown eyes the color of chocolate noted a head of sandy blonde that looked far too familiar and knowing that he usually only made note of those that came and went at the club, whether they visited only once or a million different times; he couldn’t stop himself from ambling toward Hiyoshi’s table. “I hear beds are usually more comfortable,” he murmured with a raised brow when he stopped by the table, spying the way Hiyoshi’s head kept nodding nearly pillowed on the book that lay on the table.

Hiyoshi jerked awake, nearly falling off his chair, and scowled, trying to focus his vision. He blinked a few times to get his contacts back in place, then looked up at the man. His eyes narrowed in recognition.

"You're the bouncer at that club," he said accusingly.

“You make it sound so dirty,” Bane quipped with a scowl in return. Inwardly, he laughed over the accusation and how Hiyoshi made his job at the club sound as if it were undesirable. This guy could be funny to poke at, he thought as he rounded the table as without a word deposited his cup of coffee and cake in a spot clear of books and papers.

“And I don’t mind if I do. Thank you for asking.” He went on, shamelessly and with great rudeness stealing the empty chair he plopped his ass down into without asking if he could.

Hiyoshi frowned, wrinkling his nose. "That's because that club is weird, especially that Saeki person. And you should find your own table. I'm studying."

“Maybe you’re the one that’s weird and Saeki is perfectly normal.” Bane said in reply further amused by the seriousness in Hiyoshi’s tone and the slight wrinkling of nose that reminded him of a cat. He reached for his cup bringing it to his lips for a testing sipping, before continuing on between small puffs of air sent across the top of the dark liquid in the cup cradled between cool hands. “I feel I must correct your falsehood and point out that what you were doing was not studying as you insist, but nearly falling asleep with your head in a book.”

He found it rather easy to ignore Hiyoshi’s prodding to find a table of his own.

"I was studying," insisted Hiyoshi. "I was just a bit tired. And mind your own business." He wasn't going to budge; he'd make the other man leave. "It's rude to disturb other people."

“Note the past tense in the word was. If you were still studying you would have said; I am studying.” Bane wanted to laugh but bit his tongue, holding the sound in even though he was tempted to let it escape just to see how ruffled it would make Hiyoshi. Later, he promised himself as he sipped at his coffee again, his free hand lowering to inch the plate holding his slice of cake toward Hiyoshi.

“Here, you look as if you need the energy more than I do.” And for that generosity he deserved a metal, damn it.

Hiyoshi made a growling noise in his throat, clenching his fists under the table. Some people were just so annoying. "Just leave me in peace. I don't want your pity; don't patronise me." It wasn't as if there was a way to gekokujou the idiot under these circumstances, unless you counted throwing the cake in his face. But that meant Hiyoshi would be chased out of the cafe.

“I don’t see that I was doing either, but now that you mention it; I do pity you for being unable to accept someone’s generosity without throwing a tantrum, which is mildly cute, by the way.” He did laugh then, choosing that moment to let a low, husky laugh pass his lips. He could almost see the wheels turning in Hiyoshi’s mind, fancied the mortal was already trying to devise ways of getting him away from that table without getting himself kicked out of the café and found that almost as funny as he did the growl that tried to warn him away.

"Not cute," he grumbled under his breath. Oh, how his blood boiled. Hiyoshi hated feeling so helpless. Biting down on his lower lip, he decided to try ignoring the stupid man who wouldn't leave him alone, focusing his thoughts on his textbook.

“Adorable, then,” Bane said with a bigger grin. Men, no matter their age or the century, were quite predictable when it came to adjectives used to describe them and often grumbled about being called cute, himself included.

Hiyoshi took out his headphones from his bag and pointedly stuck them over his ears. Not listening.

Bane reached across the table for Hiyoshi’s textbook. “You should eat.” He muttered with a glare directed to the younger man as he pulled the book away. He knew he’d likely have to repeat himself if the headphones were removed and Hiyoshi really couldn’t hear anything he said with them on, but that wasn’t such a problem since he was determined to see the mortal accept his offering of cake to refuel the lagging energy that nearly had that tawny head dropping off to sleep moments before.

Hiyoshi wanted to punch something in indignation when his textbook was filched from right under his nose. Taking off his headphones, he snapped at Kurobane. "Why are you stealing my textbook now?"

“You say that as if I have stolen it before when I haven’t,” He kept his hand on the book when he felt it was far enough away from Hiyoshi. “but to answer the question; you should eat, if you’re tiring. No amount of studying is going to do any good, if you’re too weary to retain what you read.”

"You're every bit as annoying as Saeki," said Hiyoshi, exasperated. "Worse, even. Give the book back." He made a swipe for it, leaning dangerouslly over the table.

“Good of you to notice just how much better I am than any other, but, no, I’m not giving it back.” Bane snapped harshly, jerking the book swiftly across the table the rest of the way just as Hiyoshi made a swipe for it. “Not until you eat that piece of cake and tell me just what Kojirou did to leave such a lasting impression.”

Hiyoshi wanted to retort, but became suddenly aware of all the stares directed at Kurobane and himself. He plopped back down on his seat. "You're making a scene," he hissed. "And why are you being so insistent that I eat your cake? And go ask Saeki yourself."

“No, I’m not the one making a scene. You are.” Bane tilted his head as he surveyed the man across from him, noting the annoyance that left him feeling so proud of himself for spawning it. “It isn’t me that has thrown a tantrum for all to see, but you. Also, you shouldn’t turn your nose up at someone’s generosity involving food and the giving of it when so many in the world are starving.”

He waited giving the cake another pointed look, before continuing. “As to that; you do realize that if I ask Saeki then he will tell me everything, whereas if you answer the inquiry you can take the opportunity to give me an abbreviated version that may save your pride as it gives you the chance to keep hidden what you wish to keep hidden.”

Hiyohi gritted his teeth and sulked. Why did people have to come and make his life difficult? He picked up the dessert fork and started prodding at the cake. "I've got nothing I want to hide," he said, carefully modulating his voice to sound calm and unaffected. "Go ask him yourself."

“If you’re that scared to tell the tale yourself then I will ask Kojriou.” He was content to watching the way Hiyoshi dallied poking at the cake as he was sure that soon enough it would be eaten.

That man was just taking his words and twisting them to suit his purposes. Hiyoshi stabbed the cake ill-humoredly, watching bits of it crumble. He didn't really like sweets. "Tch," he groused. "Nothing much, he was just annoying and insisted on following me home after I got poked in the neck with pins, of all things. I don't remember."

“Got that drunk, did you?” Bane questioned while his mind spun that over and over. It was highly unlikely that Hiyoshi had come into contact with pins (of all things) at the bar. He didn’t know exactly what he had been cut by, but pins? “Any normal person would be thankful for someone caring enough to see them home after being hurt, so I say you are the weird one as I said before. Now, tell me, just where were you pricked by these pins?”

If he said his neck, he was definitely going to laugh his ass off as the irony amused him.

"My neck," sniffed Hiyoshi. "Some tasteless vampire prank. And I wasn't that drunk, and could walk by myself."

“But with wounds such as those, perhaps he worried that real vampires would find you tempting.” Bane said knowing the guy would think him crazy, but then if he did that would give him a nice excuse to play the part, later. He did so love terrorizing mortals every now and again.

Hiyoshi looked at Kurobane, exasperated. "They don't exist." He ate a few crumbs of cake, then extended his hand for his textbook.

“No?” he asked perking his brow inquisitively. “What makes you say that? And that wouldn’t keep a bird alive much less you. Finish the cake.” He ordered making as if to give them book back but pausing with a pointed look directed to the crumbled cake Hiyoshi had been playing with.

"Because there's no evidence," grumbled Hiyoshi, almost pouting, and began eating the cake. It was too sweet, too creamy, and made him feel a little bit ill. Bullied by a stranger into eating cake. His brother would never let him hear the end of it.

“Just because you haven’t seen them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.” Bane pointed out with a grin slipping out of hiding when the cake started to disappear bit by bit. “You don’t see the air that you breathe and the only evidence of it being there is on cold mornings, but it is there nonetheless.”

Hiyoshi rolled his eyes--was Kurobane a bouncer or a philosopher?-- and focused on getting the cake down his throat. Maybe if he swallowed it quickly he wouldn't have to taste the disgustingly cold, buttery cream.

“Nice of you to admit defeat so gracefully,” Bane teased with a smile. The guy looked like he was eating shit with that face he was making and he had to wonder how long he’d actually go through the motions of trying to appease him. The vampire found it oddly endearing that he had even tried amidst all the grumbling making Hiyoshi seem almost docile and obedient despite his scowls and glares. That alone earned the mortal the boon of having his book returned just then.

Oh, thank goodness. Hiyoshi was about to choke. Snatching up his book, he favored Kurobane with another scowl. "If we weren't in a cafe I'd have decked you," he muttered lowly to himself, unaware that Kurobane had extra-sensitive hearing. He started packing up, wanting to get away from the annoying person opposite him. He'd find a 24-hour fast food outlet, or something.

“If we weren’t in a café I’d have eaten you for dinner.” Bane countered as he stood, his jovial smile of the evening twisting into something much darker filled with wicked intent. He stood as Hiyoshi gathered his belongings, reached for the Styrofoam cup his coffee still sat within, his intentions unclear until brown eyes gleamed.

“In fact, the night is still young and I could still do so.”

Hiyoshi felt a shiver run down his spine. "Creep," he muttered. Kurobane must like playing mind games, like Saeki. Pair of eccentrics. Slinging the strap of his messenger bag over his shoulder, Hiyoshi strode quickly out into the night.

The low mutter carried to his ears earning Hiyoshi a laugh as he strode away. It wasn’t often he found someone this amusing and thought Saeki must have found the man quite entertaining as well, which brought the vampire toward the door as the mortal walked out of it. He waited for Hiyoshi to be well on his way and then fell in step behind him, blending into the darkness with the stealth of a hunter stalking its prey. He, oddly enough, had not really felt any desire to feed from the human but he did manage to make him laugh which was something of a feat; all things considered. And that was all the reason Bane needed to follow him as he went, dark eyes keeping Hiyoshi in sight and gauging the threats that could possibly harm his latest toy.

He would see safely to his next destination and if need be to the one after that, until the man finally headed home. He should feel privileged, Bane thought with his grin still present, having not one but two vampires insistent on seeing him kept safe. Not that the human would agree, but they were dumb creatures anyway.

Hiyoshi headed straight for the fast food outlet near his dorm. He didn't like to go there very often, as the lighting was dim and gave him migraines. He entered the washroom first, intending to remove his contacts, as his eyes were getting quite dry.

Bane moved swiftly, following Hiyoshi every step of the way until he found himself standing just inside a washroom watching the younger man as he stood before a sink and mirror. He wondered why the small detour as he stood there, calculating gaze noting the almost irritated look on the face reflected back at them in the mirror.

Hiyoshi got out his contact lens case and saline solution, removing his contacts and rinsing them well before placing them in the case. Half-blind, he dug around in his bag for his glasses, completely unaware of the presence behind him.

Bane eyed Hiyoshi’s reflection, taking in the loss of contacts that were replaced by the pair of glasses sitting so regally on the human’s nose. He fought a battle within as he stood there, struggling against the wicked voice whispering in his ear telling him to announce his presence to the mortal just to see the look of shock and then of fright that would follow, but a saner voice countered that one. The truth was he usually kept what he was a secret from all, excluding a few and then those were only told as he saw fit and wanted them to know and while this game could be quite amusing with this particular mortal, was it worth it?

Damn, it sucked to be reasonable and fight his instincts but fight them he did. Stepping back he positioned himself well away from the mirror, so no questions would be asked before his mouth opened. “I’m not quite sure which becomes you more, the specs or lack of them.” He was a vampire, after all. He couldn’t be good all the time, and better the human fear him as a stalker at this moment in time than a mythical creature; for now.

Hiyoshi swung around at the sound of Kurobane's voice, instinctively going into a fighting stance. He scowled when he spotted the other man. Seriously, were both Kurobane and Saeki professional stalkers or what?

"What do you want?" he demanded, not relaxing his stance.

“Saeki in chains in a harem full of virgins and a glass of 25 year old Scotch,” Bane retorted with as much seriousness as a judge. He grinned smugly, brown eyes alive with mischief over Hiyoshi’s fighting stance. “I’d stand down, if I were you, darlin’. You couldn’t take me, even if my hands were tired behind my back.”

"Pervert," growled Hiyoshi. "Why are you following me around?" He didn't believe Kurobane's last statement for a moment.

“I am that, and who says I’m following you? Perhaps this was my next destination and it’s just a coincidence that we’re both here, now?” He couldn’t seem to refrain from the word games with Hiyoshi, but better that than messing around in the man’s mind.

"I doubt that this is just a coincidence," hissed Hiyoshi. Perhaps he should just go home, after all. Surely Kurobane couldn't enter his dorm, since there was security there. But then he would probably fall asleep on his bed and not accomplish any studying at all. And he hated having to back down. Hiyoshi clenched his fists, frustrated.

“You may, of course, choose to believe what you wish.” Bane answered nonchalantly to cover his inner amusement over the frustrated look on Hiyoshi’s face. This mortal was almost precious with how easily his demeanor could be pricked.

"Tch." Hiyoshi rolled his eyes and stalked out of the bathroom back into the fast food restaurant. If Kurobane disturbed him there, he'd go home, he told himself.

Taking a seat within that restaurant was like waving a red flag in front of a bull, or blatantly asking Bane to disturb him. He grinned as he left the restroom, gaze skimming the inside of the restaurant quickly. “Looks rather dim,” on both lighting and patronage, but he kept that to himself as he came up behind Hiyoshi.

Hiyoshi settled down with his drink and fries, clapped on his headphones, and proceeded to try and shut out the rest of the world. He didn't see if Kurobane had followed him, and he didn't want to know. He concentrated on the text in front of him, squinting a little in the dim light.

He was being rude and obnoxious with it, but this didn’t faze the vampire that stood behind Hiyoshi waiting for the moment food and text distracted him thoroughly. Once he was, he grazed long fingers along the back of the smaller man’s neck, just to be a prick about announcing he was still there.

Hiyoshi jumped violently, nearly sending his drink flying. He groaned, seeing who it was. "Go away," he snapped.

“Now where’s the fun in that?” Bane asked cheekily as he rounded the table, so obviously after seating himself in the empty seat waiting there.

Hiyoshi huffed and clutched the textbook closer, partly because he couldn't see very well, and partly to prevent Kurobane from snatching it away again. Perhaps if Kurobane got bored he would go away.

“Don’t mind me.” Bane said as he sat down, his hand snaking out for a fry to steal it away. “Pretend I’m not here.” He popped the morsel fried salty goodness into his mouth with an inner grin.

Hiyoshi gritted his teeth and buried his nose in his text, pointedly not rising to Kurobane's bait. He shouldn't let this low sort of person rile him.

“Man, these are great.” He mumbled around the next mouthful of fries, a low almost sensuous moan rumbling in his chest over the taste. He was a vampire and human food did nothing for him, but he could still appreciate the taste which he did quite loudly and rudely right then, knowing his continued chatter would disturb the man across from him.

Hiyoshi turned his music up louder, pretending he hadn't seen or heard anything. Let the man make a fool out of himself by making those disgusting sounds over fries. He wrinkled his nose. Just read the text, he told himself.

Bane eyed the man across from him when the music throbbing through the headphones rose that much higher. Now that was annoying, but nothing he couldn’t take care of. He half stood, leaning across the table to pull one earpiece from Hiyoshi’s ear and dropped his head low enough so words could breathe across the bare ear. “I applaud your attempt to ignore me, but no matter how much you try I won’t go away, so why don’t you be a good boy and remove the headset, and then either eat and study, or eat and be sociable. I won’t bite, unless you beg me to.” He drawled with a wicked grin.

Reddening in anger, Hiyoshi snatched his earpiece back, before snapping at Kurobane. "Why do you keep stalking me and keep being annoying? Don't you have anything better to do? I just want to study."

“As much as I’m sure you would like me to answer those inquires, I’m afraid I’m just evil enough not to.” He answered with that same wicked grin, settling back into his seat to watch the mortal across from him. “Now, why don’t you get to that studying? I’ll be as quiet as a mouse, I promise.” Not likely, but Hiyoshi didn’t need to know that just yet.

A part of Hiyoshi wanted him to go home already, back where Kurobane couldn't follow, but again, Hiyoshi hated to admit defeat. Growling, he dropped his eyes back to his textbook, once again ignoring the existence of the man in front of him.

“I suppose you do deserve a reward for being so diligent in trying to pretend I’m not here.” Bane stated a moment later, brown eyes watching his companion in thoughtful contemplation. If it weren’t for the fact that he found this mortal somewhat amusing he’d have already been plotting how best to eat him, but since he did find Hiyoshi somewhat entertaining he refrained from that line of thought. That didn’t mean he couldn’t continue to be a pest, though.

Hiyoshi's gaze flickered suspiciously over Kurobane before studiously returning to his book. He was planning something; Hiyoshi was sure of it. Hiyoshi would just be vigilant, and not give Kurobane the pleasure of seeing his unease.

While Bane found Hiyoshi’s refusal to rise to his bait more than a little annoying, he knew he was getting to the human after the previous displays of ire he’d been given, so it was a smug vampire that fell silent as he watched Hiyoshi’s studious display. If the mortal actually managed to study while he was being watched so diligently then he really did deserve some sort of reward, which something to be pondered upon later.

Hiyoshi fidgeted a little under Kurobane's scrutiny, unable to remain as calm as he would have liked. His head was also starting to hurt from the low lighting. Determinedly, Hiyoshi bit down on his bottom lip and read on.

Bane, just as determined to annoy Hiyoshi as Hiyoshi was to ignore him, reached toward the table letting long fingers curl over the smooth surface. Soon, the repetitive tapping of drumming fingers sounded in his ears over and over again.

"Stop that!" snapped Hiyoshi. "You're disturbing the other patrons."

“Hardly,” Bane countered with a smug smile. Satisfied with his reward for his obnoxious behavior, he leaned forward just a little more. “But I think I will finally leave you in peace, before you burst a vessel or two. I wouldn’t want such a fascinating toy to break, before I have a real chance to play with it, after all.”

"...Toy?" Hiyoshi stood up. "I am not a toy. People are not toys."

“They are toys when they respond so splendidly and for one that was just complaining of disturbing the other patrons, you don’t seem to mind disturbing them yourself.” Bane pointed out with a laugh, already on his way to his feet. Perhaps, he would leave the mortal in peace now that he’d riled him up again.

Hiyoshi clenched his fist and strode out of the establishment, throwing a hateful glare at Kurobane over his shoulders. He'd show this bastard a lesson once they were outside.

Bane exited the restaurant just behind Hiyoshi. He caught the hate filled glare tossed his way over a slender shoulder and congratulated himself on riling the human that much, so that it was with much glee that he stepped outside and waited for the human to make his next move.

As soon as Kurobane was close to Hiyoshi, Hiyoshi swung a blow at Kurobane, almost too fast to see. Hiyoshi knew he shouldn't be starting a fight with this sort of person, but he couldn't help it, not after Kurobane had pissed him off so majorly.

Had he been nicer, Bane would have taken the hit he saw coming his way, eyes attuned to the darkness and senses supernaturally sharp spying the blow as it flew his way. But the truth was; he wasn’t nice. Not by a long shot and the parts of himself that still held some human compassion rarely saw the light of day. “Tsk, didn’t I already tell you that you couldn’t take me?” He growled into Hiyoshi’s ear, hand grabbing for the wrist connected to the fist flying his way. He could already feel his fighting spirit becoming aroused by the promise of a scuffle, but there was little sport to be had fighting with a human, especially this one. While it was fun to rile the blonde’s temper; pretty damn entertaining actually, he didn’t have a true desire to hurt him.

Though, that too could be forgotten if his lust for violence and blood truly awakened. He hoped for Hiyoshi’s sake it did not. Not there in that little area just outside a restaurant where the mortal had been determined to feed his brain knowledge. Much better if his lust for blood came in a homier setting where Bane would feel the need to play the part of seducer and caretaker, before he slaked his thirst at that neck he smell scent of racing blood wafting from.

Hiyoshi let out a sharp gasp of surprise before dislodging Kurobane's grip, drawing on his years of martial arts training. Normal people shouldn't be able to block his punches. Did that mean Kurobane was trained? Falling back into his kobujutsu stance, he rushed at Kurobane again, dealing him a swift kick to the back.

A feral growl echoed between them, the kick to his back going a long way toward ripping away the vampire’s intent not to harm the human, so that with a sharp, “Don’t make me hurt you, mortal!” he turned grabbing for the ankle of the foot that had just slammed into his back with preternatural speed and precision. It had been a game up to that point, but pain had a way of tearing away good intentions when it came to his survival and while he knew it was highly unlikely that Hiyoshi would land a mortal blow of any sort since he didn’t know who or what he was truly dealing with; in the end it didn’t make a difference. Bane wasn’t so masochistic that he’d subject himself to pain of any sort for anyone except Saeki outside his bed and the sexual escapades he encouraged there, so it was that he struggled to control the barely restrained rage that threatened to alter his visage that the vampire met fuming eyes with a predatory glare that promised retribution, if the path Hiyoshi walked was one he insisted on continuing down.

Hiyoshi cried out in pain, nearly losing his balance. It mortified him that he was defeated so quickly, but more than that... he had just been called "mortal". For the first time, Hiyoshi felt a shiver of fear run down his spine.

"What are you?" he spat, using his other leg to kick himself free.

“For now,” Bane spat back with just as much force, if not a little more dignity while watching the human scamper to free and right himself. “I could be considered something of a friend, despite my annoying antics, but that title only lasts until the next hit.”

He straightened his back, until he stood to his full height so dark brown eyes could glare down at the smaller man from his higher vantage point. “But hit me again and all that ends.”

"I don't believe you," growled Hiyoshi, finally wrenching his leg free and crumpling into a pathetic heap on the ground. Kurobane had a grip of iron-- his ankle felt sprained, if not broken. He tried to hurl himself at Kurobane again, but tripped once it became apparent that his ankle could not keep up with his rigorous footwork.

“Believe what you will.” Bane said offhandedly, not really caring about what Hiyoshi chose to believe. He thought about leaving the pathetic mortal there to deal with his injury, which in his mind was entirely Hiyoshi’s fault for starting their physical altercation, but found some spark of human compassion pushing him to edge a foot or so closer, until he knelt down and offered the guy a hand. “Don’t be an idiot. Let me help you, since my teasing is what pushed you to start this.”

Ordinarily, he didn’t bother owning up to the things he did verbally. He merely said what he wished to say and to hell with the rest of the world, but considering he did have an ulterior motive in wanting to make sure the brat got home safely, he could be nice and accept the blame for sparking off the man’s temper, but only because it suited his purpose.

Hiyoshi roughly shoved Kurobane's hand away. "Just go away," he snapped, looking childishly petulant. He hated it when people tried to pity him after he had been so humiliatingly defeated.

“You’d think,” Bane snarled viciously as he withdrew his hand after Hiyoshi’s snappish denial. “That you would have already ascertained that I hardly, if ever, do what the fuck I’m told.”

Hiyoshi just made a frustrated noise and attempted to stand up. "Gekokujou," he muttered under his breath. He'd show him. One day.

“Devil save me from fools and stubborn mortals.” Bane countered bitingly as Hiyoshi attempted to stand. It was not his fault the human was injured, he told himself as he took things into his own hands. Well, Hiyoshi anyway. The arrogant vampire with a penchant for ignoring everything but what pleased him to acknowledge swooped in, moving with speed and grace to lift the human before him into strong arms.

If Hiyoshi would not graciously accept his aid then he would forget offering it nicely and just give it, whether he liked it or not.

Letting out a small squeak of surprise, Hiyoshi went bright red as he realised he was being carried away like some damsel in distress. "Put me down!" he demanded, struggling.

“No, but what I will do, if you continue to wriggle around like some faint-hearted wench afraid of being carted off and ravaged, is spank your ass.” It was much more a promise than a threat and saw Bane making his move to reposition Hiyoshi over his shoulder, until he hesitated in the lifting of that struggling body to see if the human would settle down.

“Then again, you might be secretly wishing for such a thing.” He drawled almost musingly.

"I am not!" Hiyoshi's cheeks flamed. "Don't you dare! Let me down!" He managed to deal Kurobane a kick in the ribs with his good leg.

“I beg to differ,” Bane snarled as he hefted Hiyoshi up and draped him over his shoulder, his face contorting from the pain of the blow to his ribs. “Any man that does something he knows will earn him a slap to his ass,” Mercilessly, he swatted at Hiyoshi’s buttocks with his free hand tempering the blow because he still did not truly wish to harm the mortal more than was already done. “After already being warned of the consequences is most definitely begging for it.”

"Ow!" Hiyoshi couldn't believe that the man had actually done it. "Stop that!" He shifted, trying to get away from the blows.

“Are you going to behave?” Bane grinned wickedly as he imagined the look of shock on an otherwise grumpy face. “Otherwise, I’ll take it to mean you’re secretly longing for another, though if you want an all out spanking all you have to do is ask.” He purred smugly more than sure in his arrogance that a denial would be forthcoming. Some guys were so predictable.

"Shut up," grumbled Hiyoshi, gritting his teeth. He stilled his struggling. He'd deal with this guy another day, he swore to himself.

“No, I don’t think I will.” Bane replied cheekily allowing his hand to fall onto the butt cheek he slapped moments prior. “Now, you have two choices: I can carry you home like this and return to get your belongings, or I can carry you as I originally planned, which might have a little more dignity to it. And then we’ll collect your things before I take you home…. It’s your choice.”

Hiyoshi bit his lip, completely humiliated. "I want my belongings," he said finally.

Bane nodded, shifting the bundle of humanity on his shoulder to once more rest in his arms cradled much as a babe would have been. “Then you’ll have them.” He assured his burden with a small grin for the telling light in the eyes he spied when he looked down. Poor mortal had to feel mortified if not downright humiliated right then as he himself would have felt if someone were carting him around.

Hiyoshi ground his teeth in silent fury, his face still burning from shame. "Do you really have to do this?" he muttered. And why was this guy so strong? He didn't look that built, and Hiyoshi knew he wasn't light, as he was almost solid muscle from all his time in the dojo.

“Do what, be insufferable and obnoxiously arrogant?” Bane asked as he stepped toward the door of the restaurant. He paused at the door waiting for Hiyoshi to make an effort to push it open.

Oh now he would never be able to come in here again, not while the current staff were on shift. Still tomato-red, Hiyoshi nudged the door open and tried to hide his face.

Bane stopped just inside the door noticing the way Hiyoshi seemed to look anywhere but at the staff and people inside the building. He laughed lowly as he said, “I’ve been told my shoulder makes a wonderful pillow.” He was being helpful, yes? Not that it would help in killing the blush on the man’s cheeks, but if he wanted to hide his face there was no better place to do it then the curve of his shoulder where it met his neck.

He was not going to do something as girly as that. Hiyoshi tugged the collar of his shirt up and hid his face in the fabric instead.

“Damn me, but you’re funny.” He murmured for Hiyoshi alone, his feet already retracing the path to the table that had been left behind. Later, he would possibly share their escapades with Saeki but for right then he told himself to focus on the texts and the few belongings Hiyoshi had left in his hurry to race outside and pick a fight with him that was far more physical than the verbal teasing Bane had been intent on embroiling himself in.

“Grab that,” he told the man in his arms leaning in far enough that the text on the table was in easy reach.

"Am not," grumbled Hiyoshi defiantly, quickly snatching up the text and trying to ignore the curious stares directed at him.

“Are.” He quipped back, freeing one hand to reach for the messenger bag waiting to be claimed. Securing it in his grasp, he waited long enough for Hiyoshi to resettle himself, possibly to see just how the mortal met his stubborn insistence that he was amusing.

"Not," muttered Hiyoshi, almost inaudibly, hating himself for being unable to resist the pointless bickering.

“Are so,” he insisted still stubbornly refusing to let Hiyoshi have the last word as they made their way to the door. He was careful to keep the man in his arms shielded as best as he could as it seemed that keeping his face hidden was high on the list of things to accomplish that evening, though it wasn’t nearly as fun as inwardly crowing over the frustrated flush of earlier.

Hiyoshi bit down on his lip as he was carried back outside. Perhaps if he shut his eyes he could pretend this wasn't happening...

“Are you going to sulk all the way to your place? Which, by the way, I need direction to, unless you want to come home with me?” Bane murmured slyly with a sidelong glance toward Hiyoshi. “Don’t worry; if that’s what you want, I’m sure Kojirou wouldn’t mind sharing our bed with you.”

"NO," roared Hiyoshi indignantly, blushing. So Kurobane was Saeki's ...lover. "I'm not gay." He sullenly gave Kurobane his address.

“I said much the same thing once upon a time as I recall.” It was so easy to push this one’s buttons, Bane thought smugly. All he had to do was toss out a sexual innuendo, playfully tease him, or even make a tiny not-so-heartfelt pass at the guy and he started short circuiting. Ahh, good times!

Laughing, he headed in the direction Hiyoshi indicated with the revelation of his address unable to resist one more poking prod, “That you deny it so loudly and vehemently does leave a guy to wonder, because usually if you protest too much you’re doing it to hide something.”

Hiyoshi nearly slammed a fist into Kurobane's jaw. Clenching his fists, he said, "I am not hiding anything. I have a girlfriend."

“That doesn’t necessarily mean a thing,” Bane informed the young man in his arms as he walked. “She might be your woman now, but that doesn’t mean she will be in the future and it doesn’t mean you’ll always find her so fascinating, especially if the right guy comes along to rip away your delusions.” He really shouldn’t be toying with the mortal such as he was, but the guy was just too amusing not to. Poking at sensitive subjects that were usually taboo for more conversations seemed the perfect way to get past his brooding silence and ability to simply ignore someone.

Hiyoshi was indignant. "Won't happen," he huffed, crossing his arms. "Less than five percent of people are gay, alright? And I'm not one of them."

“You’re so straight that you had to go and memorize a gay statistic?” Bane laughed loudly shaking his head in a chiding manner a second later. “You’re deluding yourself so much that I think you should be the one with the title of King of Denial.”

Kurobane was rewarded with a vicious kick to the arm with Hiyoshi's good leg. "Obviously I learnt that in my population studies module. Don't go jumping to conclusions!"

“Kick me again and I’m either going to drop you on your ass, or bite you.” Bane growled with a glare toward the man in his arms.

"Then you should stop saying useless and untrue things!" retorted Hiyoshi, though he did quiet down.

“Actually, I’ll throw your ass into the hardest substance I can find whether it be wood or metal.” Bane said with complete seriousness, his head tilting to survey the buildings they passed by as if searching out the perfect wall to use as his Hiyoshi-Catcher. Of course, he was just going to ignore the order to stop saying what he wished to say, since it really did go against his plans to cater to the mortal he carried. “Besides, what do you care what I think about you, human?” he asked a few seconds later.

“I’m neither a lifelong friend nor family, so my opinion shouldn’t ruffle your feathers this delightfully.”

"Don't you dare," muttered Hiyoshi, squirming a little. Hiyoshi could land on his feet, if Kurobane dropped him. Probably. "And stop calling me human! Aren't you one as well?"

“I dare a great many things, including antagonizing you until you look like you’re ready to explode.” Bane said sidestepping to avoid a near tumble when a teen riding a bike came zooming out of the alley. He briefly thought of tracking the kid down and teaching him a lesson, but stilled the urge when a moment later he head the bike skid to a stop behind them and a hastily cried, “I’m sorry!” ring through the air.

As far as distractions went, it wasn’t the most awesome but surely enough of one to pull Hiyoshi’s question away from his humanity or lack there.

Hiyoshi let out a most unbecoming squeak at the sudden movement and reflexively clutched at Kurobane's shirt, before hastily letting go, disgusted at himself.

"Tch, get another hobby," he scoffed, recovering himself.

“No, thanks, I like this one well enough.” Bane grinned, despite his plans to come off as being menacing. He made a mental note to scour the city later for the scent of blood he’d briefly encountered during the hair raising moment that could have seen them both squashed by a guy on a runaway bike. It would probably takes several nights to track the teen as it wasn’t easy to find one scent among so many, but he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. In fact, the more impossible it seemed the more alluring it was.

“Besides, if I were any nicer I’d be just another face in a nameless crowd and you’d have never noticed me as blinded as people are by their daily concerns and routines.”

There he went again with his odd philosophizing. Not for the first time, Hiyoshi wondered if Kurobane was touched in the head. "Tch..." he sniffed, looking at anywhere but Kurobane. Recognizing his surroundings, he tapped the taller man on the shoulder. "Hey, I'm near my dorms. Put me down."

He stopped right there and then, brown eyes drawn toward the buildings ahead of them. “Why?” he asked curiously, wondering if the man in his arms had such an aversion to being looked after, or if it was the possibility of being seen that prompted his request. Possibly both, the vampire decided as he looked once more to the man in his arms. Now he had to decide which he would be, the gentleman that would listen and release Hiyoshi or the asshole that would pretend not to hear him and keep walking. Normally, the latter would be his choice but it was subject to change on a whim, depending.

Hiyoshi rolled his eyes. "So I can swipe my college card to get in. And because I can walk such a short distance."

He thought about it for a moment, his mind going over each possible scenario he could fathom, until finally he answered with an inquiring, “Seeing as how I have taken it upon myself to see you safely home, which includes seeing inside your room, so I can tend to that ankle… the only way you’re being released is if you swear you’ll invite me in and allow me my moment of playing doctor to ease my conscience for causing it.” He was so damn tricky, yes. However, this method of getting an invitation into Hiyoshi’s home was better than the alternative, wasn’t it?

"I'm not inviting you in! And I can see to my ankle to myself, thanks." Hiyoshi struggled, trying to get free.

“You will invite me in!” Bane snarled abruptly releasing his hold on Hiyoshi so that the human could go falling toward the ground without warning. “I didn’t come all this way to leave your care up to you as you obviously can’t look out for yourself, otherwise the inkling of self-preservation most people are born with would have kicked in and told you not to try to pick a physical fight with me!” he was angry finally. Perhaps even as angry as he had been known to become around Saeki when the younger by a day or so vampire denied him his right to tend to him or to protect him, which was something the long dead samurai hated with a passion. For this mortal to do the same thing when he had gone out of his way to see him home, albeit done so with other motives as well, annoyed the hell out of him.

Only Saeki could get away with stonewalling him, goddamn it.

Bane struggled to reign in his temper, taking a breath he really had no need of since living amongst humans had engrained the need to blend in amongst them so deeply into his psyche that he did so without thinking about. “Look, if I wanted to hurt you, human, I would have done so at any point from there to here. Dragging you off to my lair so I could torment you into a mindless state of insanity would have been quite easy.” Had he done that? No, he had not! He had gone against his more demonic instincts, fought against his nature, and actually brought the brat home where he would be reasonably safe. He deserved some points for that, surely. He also deserved better than having his kindness (no matter how it came about) acknowledged and appreciated!

Hiyoshi hit the ground with a yell, his injured ankle folded awkwardly beneath him. "What is wrong with you?" he demanded, cursing under his breath. Kurobane was frightening him, even if he hated to acknowledge it. "You're mad." He tried to move his leg, but it hurt entirely too much.

“You said to let you go, so I did.” Bane pointed out with a lift of his brow. He shielded the brief twinge of guilt he felt over the pained yell that rang in his ears. For this moment the vampire within surely held full control of his senses, especially as the guardian of old would have blamed himself for each wound inflicted upon one he’d chosen to help. That weakling would not get him what he wanted this night, so leaving him buried in his mental coffin was preferable.

“And of course I’m mad,” come his admission. “Did you think I would be anything else when you so carelessly deny my offer of help like I’ve got the fucking plague or something?”

Hiyoshi bit his bottom lip. Though Kurobane was a big bastard and was one of the most annoying people he'd ever met (not to mention a stalker and slightly insane), he had helped him (even though Hiyoshi thought that his ankle was all Kurobane's fault, anyway).

"Fine," he mumbled grudgingly. "Sorry."

Silence reigned supreme for those moments that Bane fought to control his temper, instinctive retorts that would surely see him biting Hiyoshi’s head off for his less than eloquent apology stifled mercilessly. “Apology accepted.” He finally murmured as grudgingly as Hiyoshi uttered them. The fact that he could still reign in explosive emotions around this mortal confirmed what the vampire already suspected; Saeki truly was the only one that could push him beyond the boundaries of sanity into a mindless state of blazing passion. The fact that such passions could either be an angry rage or sexually charged (sometimes both) was beside the point.

Unless he was starving out of his mind, he’d never lose control so much that Hiyoshi would discover his secret until he was ready to divulge it. That worked just fine for the vampire that dropped to the ground to squat beside the injured human at his feet. “I suppose I owe you one as well.” He awkwardly stated hating that the words were coming out of his mouth. Bane did so hate admitting his fault within anything he did, so that it was truly the rare occasion that it happened. He offered his hand to Hiyoshi then, intending to be the gentleman he so rarely was and actually help the man without any hidden agenda other than those already acknowledged from the beginning of this escapade they were set out upon.

Hiyoshi hesitated a moment, then took it, standing up slowly. Dusting himself off, he ducked his head. "Oh I suppose you can come in for a bit, then," he muttered crossly.

“Thank you. And I suppose I’ll allow you to walk the rest of the way, unless you stumble again. If that happens all bets are off and you’re getting carried, princess.” He teased good naturedly knowing the unexpected nickname would both annoy and embarrass the man as he released his hand.

Mouth opening and closing like an aphyxiating goldfish, Hiyoshi spluttered, "Princess? Princess? Who're you calling princess? I'm not a princess."

“Of course you aren’t.” Bane answered false sympathy displayed with the charming smile he smiled. Hiyoshi really was easy to ruffle and he was finding it far too enjoyable. Saeki would lecture him over this he was sure.

Hiyoshi scowled in reply, hobbling over to the dorm's entrance and swiping the card to let them both in.

It looked like a typical dorm, or rather what Bane imagined a typical dorm to be. Not much different than the place his descent’s children had occupied over the years when he caved to the insane urge to check up on them. It was hard to watch all that he knew age and die, which is why he often avoided it. However, upon occasion he weakened against the desire and had been known to seek them out. He wondered then, if Hiyoshi had any vampires in his family tree that secretly watched from afar. How ironic would that be?

Opening the door to his room, Hiyoshi was greeted by a hungry-looking Cat, who immediately gave a yowl of misery upon spotting Kurobane and darted under the bed to hide. "Come in," he said gruffly. He was visibly uneasy about a near-stranger in his room.

“Not to sociable, is he?” Bane asked of Hiyoshi, his gaze following the yowling bundle of misery darting under the bed. Not that he cared. He hated pets, whether they were truly pets or familiars like the damn dog that Gakuto kept by his side. He pretended not to notice Hiyoshi’s unease as he stepped into the room and took a look around. Making note of all that he saw, the vampire memorized the layout. “And you should get off that foot and tell me where I can find some ice for it.”

Hiyoshi snorted. Stupid Cat. "Ignore him. I can treat my foot myself-- I'm used to this sort of thing." He hobbled over to his mini-fridge and opened it, taking the ice out from his tiny freezer compartment.

Bane quickly followed coming up behind Hiyoshi and reaching for the ice. “Give me that and go sit down, princess.” Honestly, why the hell were mortals so stubborn when a vampire was trying to do a good deed? Not that he was looking for the means to save his soul, because he wasn’t. Once the initial shock of what he had become had worn off, Bane had set out gleefully on the road he now walked and had no intentions of looking back.

"...Don't call me princess," snapped Hiyoshi. "I don't know why you like giving yourself extra work." Huffing in indignation, he sat down on a chair.

“Ask me sweetly, and maybe I’ll stop calling you that.” Bane purred with a smug smile. The likelihood of Hiyoshi swallowing his pride and nicely requesting that he not use the name in a tone of voice that didn’t convey his irritation were nil, which was all he needed to think to switch to another subject. “Point me in the direction of your hand towels, or a plastic bag.”

He wasn’t going to give the brat the satisfaction of explaining why he was doing what he was. It wasn’t anyone’s business but his, never mind that most would also think it should be Hiyoshi’s since he was involved.

Glaring, Hiyoshi opened a nearby drawer and picked out a small towel, handing it to Kurobane. Idiot. He would just have to bear with the man. Just his luck to have run into him.

Amused still by how apparent Hiyoshi was with wearing his emotions on his sleeve, Bane sank to his knees before him with the ice and towel in hand. The cat under the bed would have earned a growl if he wasn’t intent on keeping the human oblivious to what he was, much like Tsuki had already earned more than one with death threats to accompany the animalistic warning. However, Bane told himself as he broke each piece free of the tray and dropped it into the towel, that wouldn’t last long if claws came anywhere near him. He preferred dogs over cats, unless said cat was a vampire nicknamed kitten due to the way Saeki had of licking his lips like a cat that had been fed a bowl full of cream whenever he tasted something exceptionally good, or even when he’d gotten his way. Not that it happened often, since Bane liked to put up a fight to keep the brat on his toes whenever he started spouting off plans that could lead him right into trouble.

“So, I take it that’s your infamous owner?” Bane idly asked as he wrapped the edges of the cloth together bundling the ice up inside the makeshift pack. Occasionally, not often mind. But occasionally, he could be extremely gentle. Bane hid it behind the disdain and smug arrogance he wore like a second skin but every once and a while he let his mask slip, revealing the seldom seen gentleness that saw a bare foot being lifted so carefully and cradled in his palm.

"That's Cat. No. I'm his owner, not the other way round," replied Hiyoshi sullenly. Why was Kurobane being so nice all of a sudden? Probably some psychological thing that made sense somehow, like maybe Kurobane was so nasty and annoying and stalker-ish because he desperately wanted someone to baby, or something. The thought made Hiyoshi wrinkle his nose, his tension showing in the set of his shoulders and the muscle under Kurobane's touch.

“You’re deluding yourself if you think you own that feline.” Bane murmured lowly. Gently, he applied the icepack to Hiyoshi’s swollen ankle, dark brown eyes tracing each line and turn of flesh-covered bone for bruising and broken skin. “You don’t own cats, they own you.” He informed Hiyoshi with a grin, though it soon faded. “And I suggest you stay off this foot for a few days.” He paused then, unable to miss the tension vibrating through each and every line of the human’s body so that his nose wrinkled with annoyance and brows drew together. While it was definitely true that he had the power within his grasp to kill this man, up until this point he’d gone out of his way to make his blows all verbal and none physical. The one that had been intent on inflicting bodily harm had been Hiyoshi, not him. So why the hell was the guy tensing up so badly when up to then Bane hadn’t hurt him?

Of course, there was that moment of dropping him on his ass but that was Hiyoshi’s fault; he did ask to be let down!

“Stop it.” He breathed through clamped teeth, seeking to keep his temper from rising again. “I promise I won’t bite, unless you invite me to.”

Hiyoshi didn't understand what Kurobane was getting all riled up for, not realising that he was so tense that Kurobane could feel it. Confused, he snapped, "What? Why are you being angry again?"

“You’re tensing up like you’re afraid I’m going to hurt you,” he spoke slowly like he was talking to a child and trying to explain something especially important, instead of the man that Hiyoshi actually was. Bane tilted his head, hands holding the icepack steady against the ankle he cradled as he spoke. “Trust me, if I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn’t have announced my presence when you were totally unaware that I was there. I could have remained unseen, waiting until the perfect moment to catch you alone, so there’d be no witnesses to your demise. Instead, I’m sitting here in your room, holding an icepack to an ankle that wouldn’t be hurt had you listened to me, after having been seen by whichever of your neighbors and schoolmates that happen to be lurking around when we came in.”

Ugh. Kurobane was creepy. Hiyoshi was now completely convinced that Kurobane was at least somewhat insane. Probably a mass murderer. "It's because it's painful," he insisted, trying to mollify him for the moment. Which wasn't a lie-- his ankle was throbbing with pain. Meanwhile, his mind raced through several scenarios of a bloody death by Kurobane's hands.

“You’re lying, but the more I try to convince you that I wouldn’t hurt you the more you’ll believe I will.” Bane mumbled almost forlornly, head dropping to hide his discontent over knowing his own fault. He sucked majorly at soothing hurt feelings or chasing away fears. The only real skill he had was in protecting one he swore to give his life for, but even that was useless in this situation.

"No..." Almost compelled to feel sorry for Kurobane, Hiyoshi looked away, falling awkwardly silent. He still hadn't given up the idea of Kurobane being some sort of criminal, though. He just let Kurobane continue with his ministrations, concentrating on relaxing his shoulders.

“You lie again.” Bane teased as he sought to carefully balance the icepack where it lay. Reaching for Hiyoshi’s hand, he wrapped chilled fingers around the span of his wrist to draw it toward the abandoned pack. “Keep this on here for as long as you can stand it, then switch it off for some warmth, and repeat.” He ordered before letting go. Damn it, now he was brooding and just wanted to go home where he could do so in the company of the only person that understood him. Well, as much as anyone could possibly understand him.

"I know," said Hiyoshi, shivering at the cold touch. "Thanks, I guess."

“It’s so nice of you to be honest about your dishonesty, finally!” Bane quipped knowing it wasn’t what Hiyoshi meant but unable to tease him about it anyway. He didn’t bother with the rest of the niceties, until he stood in front of the door slipping his shoes back on as they had been discarded upon entering. He could almost feel the relief of a certain feline with the visual proof that he was leaving when a fuzzy head peeked its way from beneath the bed, but he also had to ruin those hopes as he hesitated with his hand on the knob.

“I’m locking the door on my way out.” He told the young man he left behind from over his shoulder. “Don’t invite anyone you don’t know inside from now on.”

He doubted Hiyoshi realized how foolish he had been in inviting him within his home and he certainly wouldn’t tell him. However, he could caution the idiot against letting anyone else in, even if he doubted his words would be taken to heart.

Hiyoshi scowled. Honestly, he was just happy that the creepy man was finally taking his leave. He snorted at Kurobane's last words. "You're not my mother," he muttered under his breath as the door shut. Hopefully he wouldn't have to deal with him again.