A Light In The Heart Of Darkness

As she felt him caress the exposed skin at the small of her back she noticed his eyes turned almost pure amethyst.

Suki, deciding that she could use something cold and wet, smacked Kyoko on the butt. “C’mon you two! I require sustenance!” She laughed at her silly phrase as she dragged the couple back to the table they had occupied earlier in hopes of another drink.

*****

Kyou stood trying desperately to calm his raging blood. His usual iron clad control and cold demeanor had vanished completely upon witnessing the boy Tasuki dancing with Kyoko like he was her lover.

In the recesses of his mind, he knew he needed to calm himself quickly, otherwise Hyakuhei would sense his presence if he hadn’t already. Taking a deep steadying breath, he mentally berated himself for his foolishness.

For centuries he had been a cold, emotionless demon of the night. His resolve was like a mountain that never swayed and could not be forced into submission. His emotions were well kept within his cold, unbreakable exterior for a reason… so he could hide his aura from the true enemy.

In one night, the presence of one young girl, beyond innocent and pure, had caused him to falter for the first time in his undead life.

Oblivious to the enraged silver haired vampire, the trio made their way back to their previous seats. Kyoko’s innocent laughter floated to him, barely calming his rage. His tension eased some and he questioned why he had reacted so possessively to the young girl.

His gaze narrowed, shooting daggers at the boy with her, promising a slow agonizing death if he so much as tiptoed out of line once more. She needed a guardian.

Kyou couldn’t understand the immense hold she had over him but watching her had become addictive. Her beauty and innocence mesmerized him and he began to wonder if her skin was as soft as it appeared. Seeing another glass of the tainted liquid slide in front of her angered him.

With every sip she took, the blaze of pure light that surrounded her seemed to waver and weaken. It was already a lot harder to detect. If she kept drinking the devil’s water that was placed before her, she would soon fall into the darkness.

As if defying him, he watched as the girl took her straw out of the cup and pressed the cup to her lips, draining the last of the polluted liquid.

Kyou did something he hadn’t done in centuries… he smiled, knowing now her secret would be safe from the evil that had just entered the nightclub. Maybe hiding the pure aura of such an unimaginably innocent, beautiful girl wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Kyou backed into the darkness just as his enemy stepped from it.

*****

Hyakuhei walked through the door giving no notice to the minions that followed in his shadow. They could seek out their own entertainment for the night. They would only hinder his plans for the evening should he allow them to join him. His crimson eyes scanned the display of heated flesh before him with interest.

He had felt life here, hidden somewhere amongst the humans. It had beckoned to him as a lover would hunger for his touch, but now the caressing feeling had almost vanished, as if snuffed out.

He had fed well the night before and did not feel the need to feed again so soon. No… tonight he had something else in mind.

This city held the power of the legendary Guardian Heart Crystal, he was sure of it. All roads he had taken, seeking the hidden light, had led him here. Even now, he could feel the elusive light hidden under darkness as he leaned against the wall, watching the humans.

Several of the unsuspecting mortals had already noticed him and he knew they would come to him, offering their souls mistakenly.

The simple attraction of tall, dark and handsome had always made it easy for him to capture his prey. His long, dark hair flowed around him in waves as a backdrop for his unrivaled good looks. He could feel the lust emanating from the humans but tonight he paid it no attention.

Tonight, he would seek out one that he could put under his control. Sometimes he would turn an unsuspecting soul merely to kill them the following night. He only granted the gift of eternal life when it suited him and that was less than once every century. But tonight, he would seek out someone who would assist in his quest to determine the one who held the Guardian Heart Crystal.

Hyakuhei's eyes darkened with his thoughts. The last time he had come so close to the mysterious crystal of legend, the girl carrying the powerful crystal had detected his intent. Before he could stop her, she had killed herself… taking the crystal with her and beyond his reach once more.

His mind drifted back with longing. It had been such a waste... for the young girl had been incomparable in beauty and untainted purity. His lean body held no movement as he leisurely searched the crowd with eyes of midnight.

The crystal only resurfaced every one thousand years according to the ancient scrolls he had taken from the wizard Shinbe before taking his life. His lips hinted in a cruel smile as he remembered that particular kill… very delicious indeed.

Counting the years from that time, the chosen maiden that now held the crystal close to her heart would be twenty one years old, possibly a bit younger. Hyakuhei had sensed it within the vicinity of the university and now here among the throng of college students at the nightclub.

The fact that this city was built on the same ground where the crystal had vanished only verified that it would be the same place for its rebirth.

If he could not find the one who held the Guardian Heart Crystal, then he would recruit one who was accepted among them and could aid in his search. A non-human, a creature of the night, above all, could detect the power he wanted and desired for himself.

A malicious smile graced his perfect lips in anticipation of the thrill of the hunt. Having called to his most favored children to join him, this time he would have what he desired. He had been in the darkness for far too long and even the most pleasing things had begun to bore him.

Hyakuhei wanted something new and a challenge was just the thing to wake him from his lifetime of sleep. He could vaguely feel a disturbance in the air and smiled knowingly. There would be no rush… for what was time… to a vampire.

*****

Tasuki watched in amazement as Kyoko downed the last of her Long Island iced tea. His now soft brown eyes glanced back to his own drink that was still full, a concerned look on his face. “Ah, Kyoko, if you are thirsty I could get some real tea from the bar, if you would like?” He grinned as he watched Kyoko blush when she realized what she had done.

Suki cocked an eyebrow as she noted Kyoko’s empty glass and inwardly flinched knowing Kyoko was going to happily kill her tomorrow for the hangover. She gave a mental shrug convincing herself that tonight they were celebrating and Kyoko would forgive her… eventually.

Looking at Tasuki with her best, “Please help me I’m in trouble” expression, Suki agreed. “I think that might be a good idea.” She winked at him with encouragement and underlying mischief.

She had always liked Tasuki and often wished Kyoko would date him more often, instead of Toya, whom she liked, but he didn’t always treat Kyoko as nicely as he should. She was glad Kyoko could give as well as she got and didn’t let Toya step all over her.

Then there was Kotaro, who would take Kyoko away and marry her if given the chance. He was nice and treated her like a goddess, but Suki wasn’t comfortable with the idea of losing her best friend either.

Suki’s eyes lit up at the thought of pushing Tasuki and Kyoko together, especially after the way they had danced together just now. She knew better than to get caught at it though, because Kyoko could be very frightening when mad as hell. A girl would have to have spunk to date the two hot heads she was dating. Suki’s smile softened as she thought of her own boyfriend, though she would never admit to such a title.

Shinbe was just as crazy as either of the two Kyoko dated, if not more so.

Returning her thoughts to the present, Suki stood up with a sly grin. “I’m going to talk the D.J. into playing my favorite song, be right back!” With that, she left the two alone to their own devices. Secretly, she hoped the time alone together would start a small flame burning between the two.

Kyoko looked back at Tasuki feeling light headed and smiled guiltily. “I would love some tea… or maybe coffee would be even better. Though sometimes the caffeine buzz is almost as bad.” She smirked at her own joke, “If you don’t mind getting it while I go to the lady’s room.” She took Tasuki's out stretched hand and let him help her up.

Kyoko blinked rapidly as things started to look a little fuzzy, and then giggled. “I’ll be right back!” She scanned the walls looking for the direction of the ladies room. Seeing it closer to the front door, she took off, hoping she didn’t look as wobbly as she felt. Maybe if she splashed some cold water on her face and didn’t drink any more alcohol tonight then she would be ok.

Kyou’s body tensed as he watched the girl head straight toward the last place he wanted her to go, the entrance… and the enemy. His haunted golden eyes tinted pink and with an aggravated growl, his form vanished as if he had never been there.

Kyoko’s haze-filled mind wondered why they had put the bathrooms all the way in the front near the door as she watched a hoard of people still coming into the nightclub. Some of the newcomers seemed to already be well into the partying stages, and the noise within the dance hall amplified.

Yohji, one of the guys from campus, came stumbling in, not watching where he was going. His brother had already talked him into going to a couple of bars down the road earlier and they had just left the last one to try this one out. As he turned to call to his younger brother, Hitomi, he bumped into a soft, warm body.

Hearing a feminine cry, Yohji instantly reached out and caught her with both arms. As his eyes lit on the face of the one he held, a feral grin spread across his lips. “Kyoko?”

Once the room decided to stop spinning and was righted again, Kyoko looked up at the guy who had mowed her over, then played the hero all in one foul swoop. “Yohji… Hi…” Kyoko blushed when he held her closer to him and instantly tried to start wiggling her way free.

‘Not good! Not good’ she chanted somewhere inside her head… she could hear the warning loud and clear.

She had run into Yohji many times at school, and although he was a major player with the girls, being extremely good looking, and one of the popular jock types, she had always tried to avoid him. He was way too aggressive for her taste and she chose the stay clear of him and the group he hung with.

“I’m alright now Yohji, so you can let me go,” she smiled, hiding her anxiety, trying to keep her cool and not start a scene.

Yohji didn’t loosen his hold on her and gave a tainted smile at her unease. “Why would I let you go now that I finally have you in my arms, Kyoko?”