Kyoko came out of her bedroom hoping she would have time to snack on something before going out but before she even made it to the kitchen someone was pounding on the door.
âGod, I hope thatâs not Toya,â she mouthed and wondered if she should even answer it. She still had 20 minutes before it was time to meet Suki so Kyoko chose to ignore the banging on the door for the moment in fear of who was on the other side.
Itâs amazing how fear makes you feel five years old. Kyokoâs eyebrow twitched as she held her breath.
The banging became a little louder but this time followed by a voice. âAll right Kyoko, I know you are in there. Donât make me break this door down!â This was said with a snicker.
Kyoko rolled her eyes thinking Suki sounded like the law. She opened the door to her grinning best friend who immediately grabbed her arm to pull her out of the apartment. âCome on, letâs go. Iâve got a bad feeling if we donât leave now, Shinbe will show up or something.â Kyoko barely had time to lock the door before Suki pulled her outside.
*****
Kyou drew the heavy black curtains back from the window now that dusk had come. His long silvery white mane fanned out around him as he opened the window, allowing the coming night wind to caress his angelic face. Dressed in black, he gave the appearance of a fallen angel.
Money had brought him the freedom to set his own hours and power ensured that he would not be disturbed. Buying the entire top floor of the most expensive hotel in town gave him the solitude he needed and the view he wanted. Looking across the street he could see a line had already begun to form at Club Midnight, the most popular club in town. It was the perfect feeding ground for the creatures of the night.
The crowded line was full of tainted young college girls and the young punks that followed them. Kyouâs haunted eyes glistened with contempt as he began to scan the line wondering which one of them would draw the attention of the one he hunted. Who would be Hyakuheiâs next victim?
Kyou could feel Hyakuhei within the city and wondered if Hyakuhei could feel death stalking him. This time things were different. Kyou had found him too easily, as if Hyakuhei had left a trail for him to follow. The deaths and disappearances of local college students was a blatant calling card for Kyou, pointing to only one person.
He did not like the thought of Hyakuhei leading him here. âI am no longer under your controlââ, Kyou growled as blood dripped between his clenched fingers and his eyes tinted pink. âYou do not have any power over me⦠not anymore!â Calming his rising rage, Kyou again drew the emotionless mask over his features, cloaking his aura. It was time for the predator to become the prey.
If he could sense Hyakuheiâs life force, Kyou would need caution to keep his maker from sensing him as well.
*****
Kyoko was surprised at how big the nightclub really was. Her lips parted when Suki pulled into the massive parking lot. Suki had wanted to get here a little early to avoid the line but from what Kyoko could tell, a line had already begun so they hurried out of the car. Kyoko could see familiar faces from the college they attended and smiled as she noticed her longtime friend Tasuki was one of them.
Tasuki spotted Kyoko and Suki from his spot in the crowd. He had let his friends talk him into coming and having nothing better to do now that finals were over, he had agreed willingly. He was handsome and well built, with shoulder length brown hair and chocolate brown eyes that melted all the girlsâ hearts.
He was also one of the most popular guys on campus but Tasuki was mostly known for the high scores he received in all of his classes and he was nicer than most of the guys on campus. Of course, being one of richest people at the academy, though he didnât act like it, upped his status as well.
Weaving his way around the hoard of people, Tasuki approached Kyoko with a genuine smile. He had known her since middle school and had always had a secret crush on her. They had dated off and on but nothing serious⦠more like best friends really, and it had been a while since they had done that.
He would ask her out more often but that Toya guy or the school security head was always hanging around her lately. He could have sworn he had heard a growl the last time he had approached her while she was with one of them.
With that in mind, he nervously scanned the area hoping that she was alone. Not that he was scared of them⦠no⦠neverâ¦
Suki could see Tasukiâs nervousness and laughed out loud. âItâs alright, Tasuki. We came here by ourselves.â
She smirked at Kyokoâs confused look then grabbed Tasuki by the elbow pulling him into line with them. She and everyone else who knew him were aware of the fact that he had a thing for Kyoko⦠well everyone except Kyoko that is.
Kyoko blushed when Tasuki turned to face her. She hadnât realized how much taller he had become. âHi Tasuki, itâs been a while. I hear you are doing great with your scores again this year.â Her face lit up happily realizing it had been way too long since they had hung out. She had always felt so safe around him⦠just like best friends. She had missed him.
A soft smile graced Tasukiâs lips, liking the fact that she had kept up with him, even if it was from a distance. Maybe he still stood a chance with her. He really wanted the chance to show her how much he still cared about her and wanted to be with her, that he wasnât âout of her leagueâ like she had always seemed to believe.
For some reason she seemed to think that he would go out of his way just to see her only because they had been friends since junior high. He intended to fix that misconception. âYeah, Kyoko, if you ever need any help, I would be glad to come over and tutor you, anytime.â He secretly wanted to bang his head against the brick wall knowing he was once again sounding like a best friend instead of boyfriend material.
Suki just shook her head seeing the silent misery in Tasukiâs eyes as he smiled at Kyoko. âPoor guyâ she thought to herself as a mischievous grin spread across her lips. He just needed a little push in the right direction.
*****
Kyou's eyes narrowed as the crowd of naive children grew. 'So many for Hyakuhei to choose from,â he mused. It was always the same. The taking of life and getting away with it⦠just as the monster had gotten away with it in the past. His clawed fingers gripped the windowsill in frustration wondering if he could stop the slaughter.
He would have to get closer and blend in with the crowd. Smirking at the thought of his silvery hair and strangely colored golden eyes ever blending in, Kyou returned his attention to the gathering mass.
Scanning the parking lot once more, his sight halted as his startled gaze slid over a group of three huddled closer to the front of the crowd. The aura surrounding the triangle was strikingly different from the other humans. A soft hue of pure white light that surrounded the group dazzled Kyouâs vampire inner sight.
Lessening the intensity of his gaze, Kyou shook his head and glanced at the group again. Even with his senses purposely dulled, he could detect a faint swirling glow flowing around the three figures. A faint glitter of rainbow dust came from directly above them shadowing the light as if to hide it from his eyes.
Kyou searched the sky above them to see only the night. His eyes narrowed understanding more than he was supposed to before returning his gaze to the group.
Kyou searched the sky above them to see only the night. His eyes narrowed understanding more than he was supposed to before returning his gaze to the group.
He had never seen anything like it in his endless lifetime. A faint memory snagged his attention causing him to stare at the group wide eyed. He was remembering the words of his younger brother before Hyakuhei had so viciously murdered him
"â¦If only we could find the Guardian Heart Crystal⦠then maybe we could be free from the darkness, brotherâ¦"
Kyou had scoffed, telling Toya the jewel was only a myth and impossible to find, even in the legends. Toya had ignored his retort, "The aura of she who protects the jewel will shine with holy light. Donât you want to be free?"
A melancholy feeling settled over Kyou with the memory of his brotherâs question. He would have given anything to free his brother from the life Hyakuhei had brought him into. The breeze came through the window blowing his long hair back from his face as if to tell him to go, as if Toya himself was telling him to go.
Gathering the surrounding darkness around his lethal body, Kyou emerged unnoticed among the crowd of unsuspecting youth, his intense gaze never leaving where the purest soft light was glowing.
*****
Kyoko giggled when she saw Suki wiggle her eyebrows behind Tasuki's back. Suki had definitely been hanging around Shinbe way too much lately. She crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue making Suki almost double over in a fit of laughter then the look instantly vanished as Tasuki turned to see what Suki was laughing at.
This made Suki have to hold on to the wall to keep her knees from buckling as Kyoko just shrugged at Tasuki saying, âWho knows whatâs gotten into her? She has never been normal.â She cocked an eyebrow adding, âI have to break her out of the loony bin at least once a week or she gets even worse and tries to gnaw through the trees in front of the dorm.â
Tasuki smirked as he leaned close to Kyokoâs ear as if to whisper but then said in a loud enough voice for Suki to hear, âMaybe on your way home tonight, you should take her back.â
Kyoko nodded happily then felt the hair on the back of her neck raise as if someone was watching her. Hoping it wasnât Toya secretly following them, she tried to ignore it as she kept her attention on Suki and Tasuki.
Suki finally caught her breath enough to remind Kyoko they were having a slumber party in the padded room later tonight then asked Tasuki if he would like to join them. âWe even got a straitjacket for the occasion.â She stuck out her tongue at both of them.
âPut that thing away before you hurt someone,â Kyoko retorted and was quickly rewarded when Sukiâs jaw dropped.
As the line started moving, Kyoko glanced over her shoulder wondering who was watching her. She saw only the lights of the parking lot and a horde of people waiting to get in then frowned at her own paranoia. The uneasy feeling that someone was watching her refused to go away and it worried her. She remembered Kotaroâs warning about a stalker around campus and suddenly wished she had hinted to him just were they were going to be.
Suki grabbed her hand and pulled her along since she was holding up the line. Kyoko shrugged the creepy feeling off as they entered the building and her attention was drawn to the interior of the massive dance club.
Kyou had seen her turn as if sensing him and wondered at it. Her eyes had drifted very slowly across the very spot he was standing but he had known she could not see him in the shadows. Under the cloak of darkness he kept her within his sights as he entered the establishment.
His golden gaze moved over the room knowing there were more than just humans within the dimly lit spaces but they were low threats and not worth his attention.
Suki led them to an area close to the bar so they wouldnât have to go too far to get drinks and still have a good view of the dance floor. The music was already cranking but not so loud that you had to yell just to be heard.
Kyoko was stunned at how nice the place was inside. She was starting to actually feel glad that she had let Suki bully her into coming. After all, there had to be more to life than studying, which was all she had done for over a week now. All the energy in the place was addictive and she smiled excitedly. It was one of those rare moments when she felt like anything could happen.
Instead of actual tables and chairs, the establishment had over stuffed sofas here and there with small glass tables to hold the drinks. Purples, blues and blacks were the main colors of the club, lending it a hint of mystery and magic with all the lights constantly switching colors creating a feeling of sensuous pandemonium. The clubâs atmosphere was almost intoxicating.
Deep shadows lent privacy to those who sought it and Kyoko blushed, thinking of all the things that sometimes went on in the shadows⦠things she had yet to experience. Her mind reverted back to wondering what Kotaro was doing before she guiltily snapped her attention back to her friends.
Kyou took a seat in the darkest corner close to the intensely pure aura. Observing the group he could now see that the glow was coming from only one of them. His eyes softened for the first time in countless years, for only an instant as he watched her smile, taking in the grandeur of the club. It was like watching the sunrise and that was something he hadnât done in a long time.
She was beautiful, with long flowing auburn hair off set by the silky white shirt she wore.
His gaze scanned her perfect body, taking in the exposed flesh at her waist and the short miniskirt followed by a pair of very shapely toned legs before lifting back to her neck⦠which was exposed. He followed the arch up to her face with a disapproving growl. She was turned at an angle and he found himself needing to see her eyes⦠the eyes were the mirror to the soul.
His instincts were reacting in ways he had never experienced before. This feeling he could not describe agitated him and somehow reminded him of his brother. He did not like the unknown.
He darkened the shadows around him as she turned, sweeping her gaze past him but he had seen them. The sight had almost taken the breath from his body. She had the eyes of emeralds shrouded in innocence⦠but he could also see the mischief and power hidden there.
Kyou clenched his fist so tight he could feel drops of blood forming where his sharp fingernails had punctured his flesh. Why was such innocence here, in a place like this? It should not be allowed. He felt a growl start deep within his chest and tried to suppress it.
If his hunch was correct and Hyakuhei made an appearance, then things could get very dangerous, very fast. Was she the one who held the Guardian Heart Crystal within her? His brotherâs words came back to haunt him a second time.
ââ¦brother, if we find it then we can be free of himâ¦â
Blocking out the other sounds within the nightclub, Kyou directed all his senses to her so he could learn more and prepare himself. His haunted golden eyes nearly glowed as he dipped into the thoughts of the group sitting at her table. Listening to the thought of mortals was a vise he hadnât used in a long time.
Tasuki offered to go get the first round of drinks since the bartender was his cousin. He wasnât going to waste his one chance to impress Kyoko. He knew she thought of him as a friend but he wanted to be so much more, if only she would open her eyes and see the devotion he offered her. There would never be a man that could love her more than him. It just wasnât possible.