Tainted Rose, Ikkaku's Deception

Tainted Rose
Ikkaku's Deception

Chapter the Second

Ereth was here. I couldn't believe he'd come to my show, but apparently I'm causing enough stress for the higher-ups that he feels like he has to come down and watch. I seethed as he walked closer to me with that sickly sweet smile. He leaned up to my ear when he got closer and I could feel his disgusting, offensive breath on my neck. "You need a baby sitter, Ikkaku," he whispered to me, "so I came to keep an eye on you."

I growled softly and glared at him. "I don't need a fucking baby sitter, Ereth," I said, not hiding my annoyance at all.

"You do and you know it," he said, flashing me a grin and heading back to where he had been standing earlier. I narrowed my eyes and continued getting ready for the show. At least he was staying out of our way and leaving us to get ready.

After a minute, James and Cameron came up to me. "Is he an wanted guest?" Cameron asked. They both kept glancing back at Ereth and I sighed lightly. These two are just so subtle.

"The show starts in ten minutes," I said, thinking about just what would happen if I actually tried to get them to remove Ereth from the premises. His damn politics would work in my favour then, as I'm sure he'd rather leave than cause any unwanted attention onto himself. I grinned at the imaginary sight of seeing Ereth getting thrown out on his ass. Still, I shook my head, "Just keep an eye on him."

James nodded to me. "Of course," he said with a grin and the two of them headed off. Sometimes it pays to hire your closer staff from outside the family.

I grinned lightly as I saw Ereth out of the corner of my eye and started getting ready again. The curtain was flapping lightly and I went out to my place on stage. I gave my guitar a final check and looked around. Everything seemed in order, and everyone else was nodding that they were ready to go. I turned off stage and nodded that we were ready to go. Slowly, the curtain lifted and all I could hear was the deafening roar of the audience.

I grinned out at the view. I lived for this.

* * *

Intermission time. I planned for a few drinks and, you know, relaxing. I put down my guitar and headed off stage and the last thing I expected was to be berated by Ereth, but he came right up to me and looked rather desperate. "Ikkaku, I might need your help," he said, with just the slightest hint of desperation in his voice.

I frowned a little to him, turning it to a light scowl. I was just about to tell him to get fucked, but Spyke put his hand on my shoulder before I could speak. "Go with him dude," he said, "if it takes too long we'll just cancel the rest of the show."

"Fine," I growled as I walked passed Ereth, walking outside ahead of him. He just turned and followed me until I stopped cold on the street. The smell of blood came strong and it felt like a slap in the face. It brought those desires with it. The desires to run out and join the massacre hit me strong. I was told since I wasn't a pureblood that it'd be worse for me than them. Not that I've lost control before, but it's been so long since I've had something that wasn't the most vile, disgusting men you could find.

I glanced at Ereth when he stopped beside me. I could tell that he was smelling it too. It seemed to be getting closer. "Who the hell got off their leash?" I asked him.

"This is Maynard's doing," he says quietly and I shudder. If it's Maynard, then we're in for a lot of trouble.

"That's why you need my help." Ereth just nods and runs off. I'm quick to follow as we headed in the direction of the scent. It took fifteen minutes to find him, and when we got to him the sight was incredible. Maynard was entirely covered in blood, save for the two slits where his eyes were, and he stood there with the body of a young girl clutched in his hand. Her stomach had been ripped open and she was still bleeding out. Her organs were on the ground at his feet. I felt the urges to run in and feast on the blood. I hadn't fed on anything good for so long that the smell was almost over whelming. From this close I could smell just how fresh and clean it was, and it made my head swim.

I dared a glance at Ereth and he looked pissed off. I turned back to Maynard and we slowly cornered him in an alley. He seemed poised and ready as he threw the body of the girl down. Her skull cracked horribly against the wall and Ereth and I spread out slightly. Maynard had no where to run, but if anyone would be able to get through us, chances are it would be him.

Before either of us could react, Maynard ran forward and kicked at Ereth's stomach. Ereth was quick enough, though, and caught his leg and dropped low, sweeping his remaining leg out from under him. Maynard fell hard and rolled out just as Ereth s heel crashed down to where his face had been. Maynard jumped back up to his feet and the two of them exchanged blows for a bit, but ultimately Ereth was thrown back, clutching his ribs. I rolled my eyes. Pretty boys weren't meant to fight.

I stepped forward and glared at Maynard. "Come and see how a real man fights," I growled as I stood in front of Ereth, covering him.

Maynard threw back his head and laughed. "Show me your stuff, little Ikkaku," he yelled and ran out at me. I avoided his first punch, but the second caught me in the side of the face. I reeled back and hit against the wall. Maynard laughed again and ran to me. I ducked and his fist exploded into the wall, making chips of concrete fly everywhere. I lunged up as fast as I could and got him in the stomach. Maynard stepped back and I spun around, kicking him in the side of the head.

Maynard lost his balance and stepped back, but when I went for another punch he grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pinning me against the wall. With his free hand, he clamped down on my mouth, digging is nails into my cheeks. I was forced to breathe through my nose, but since his hand was still covered in the young girls blood, the smell of it permeated my senses. I felt myself getting dizzy and the hunger grew tenfold within me.

"Little half-blood Ikkaku thinks he can play with the big boys, hm?" he whispered into my ear. My eyes were losing focus and I felt the urges growing stronger still. I wanted it, I needed it. My heart was beating in my ears.

Then Maynard fell limp and slumped to the ground. I stood there for a few minutes until the urges passed and I turned to see Ereth standing over him with his fist raised. Ereth watched me, waiting to see if I was in control of myself. I whiped the blood off my face and stepped over Maynard's immobile body. "Thanks for distracting him," he said dispassionately as he took his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

I rolled my eyes and kicked Maynard lazily in the stomach. I guess the rest of the show is going to be canceled.