Promise

~hey readers, finally I am updating. I'm so happy. I will finish this story before July ends. THAT is MY promise lol....and its oen i'll try hard to keep. I hope you enjoy the newest chapter of 'Promise'.


Chapter 4- Best friends??

Irihi rolled up his sleeves examining his ghost pale arms. He lifted his head, letting out a deep laugh. Never in his life had he been out in daylight. Also never once had he gazed upon the sun without fear of death. Amazement engulfed him as he spun in a circle twirling joyously, like a child, arms stretched out and his head back

He continued laughing even as doors began to open and the streets began to crowd. Only when an elderly man bumped into him did he stop, his lips curling back into a animalistic hiss. The old man recoiled hurrying away down the street glancing back only once before vanishing into the crowds.

A faint cocky smile curved his lips as he began to walk unnoticed through the streets, pride beaming on his face and inside him. Proud of his new day walking abilities. He paused stopping slight seeing a familiar face ahead. A sly smile made it’s path as he spotted a glimpse of Tsukiyo through the window of his childhood bedroom.

He strolled up slowly, tapping on the frail glass three times in an attempt to wake the sleeping teen. He watched as Tsukiyos’ eyes fluttered and opened slightly, the dark haired boy lifting his head from his arms.

“what?’ Tsukiyo managed to mumble, his mind half fogged with sleep, his voice laden with weariness and a slight sadness. Unlike before when the teens face had been empty and voiding and not unlike his late father, his face now was child like, showing Irihi a glimpse of the boy he’d left behind 10 years before.

“Up. Get up. It’s bright outside,” Irihi grinned. “don’t humans walk the day and sleep the night?”

His voice seemed to boom through Tsukiyo’s house jarring the teen. His eyes snapped open and he shot up. A little too quickly, for as he did, the chair he’d been resting in moved and knocked him off his feet completely. He hit the ground with a hard thump, making a clumsy spectacle of himself, erasing the vague, distinct graceful aura he’d given the night before.

Ignoring his mishap, Tsukiyo jumped up from the floor, ignoring his possibly bruised back, running to the door, opening it with a flourish and running outside. The light hit him fairly highlighting his cream skin and his dark features. His hair was mussed, wild at best, both from sleep and his fall. His shirt was unbuttoned, flared open, revealing a well toned, lithe figure beneath.

Irihi removed his face from the window and smirked at Tsukiyo tauntingly. “Perhaps you should have groomed before going out into public,” he teased, approaching and embracing his friend. “I guess you were correct in saying our paths would cross again.”
Tsukiyo opened his mouth to speak but no words came for to offer themselves. The his eyes caught a sharp glint and went to the ring on Irihis’ hand. A faint blush stained his cheeks, suddenly both exultant and faintly apprehensive that the vampire was wearing it.

As Irihi released him from his cool embrace he glanced down, strands of dark brown hair falling over his hooded eyes. “Irihi…”

His mind was at a standstill, he had no words of which to speak.

Irihi smiled faintly, a small flash of his fangs visible. “Hm? Is something wrong?”

Irihis voice and question seemed to shake the teen from his stupor and an embarrassed smile curled the boys lips as he ran a hand through his hair. He felt his cheeks get hot and knew full well he was blushing again and in the daylight…it was not very easy to miss.

“No,” he said softly, his voice no longer frozen and cold, but oddly bemused. “Nothing’s wrong…I just…”

He smirked faintly, crossing his arms. “I just didn’t expect you to stay out until the sun actually rose….”

Irihi chuckled softly, having the grace to look embarrassed, scratching the back of his head. “I had fed upon a drunken woman in the back of the local tavern. The rum and alcohol in her blood stream got into me and by time I left I could barely walk home. I rested on a corner, but by the time I’d awoke and found I’d slept…the sun was already cresting over the hills. I was sure that I was to die….”

He looked over at Tsukiyo with a faint smile. “Thank you my friend, your gift saved my life.”

He took the teens hand into his won, guiding him aimlessly towards the forest. Tsukiyo glanced at him and chuckled softly, faint embarrassment in his tone. He found it oddly amusing that no one person had noticed anything odd about Irihi….but then again humans rarely did.

His shirt waved open in the slight morning breeze, his hair still a tangle of dark locks, as he followed Irihi onto the forest paths. He looked around slightly, a sad smile curving his pale lips.

“Your gift protected me when I needed help…I…I was indebted to you.”

Irihi gave pause as the forest path began to widen, where the forest really began. “Protected you?”

Tsukiyo touched the strange pendent hanging openly around his neck. He touched it with a gentleness that preceded all coldness making it all illusion. He glanced at Irihi from the side.

“The vampire that destroyed my clan….the one that marked me so savagely….he told me that no one undead could convert me or control me so long as I wore the pendent. He tried more than once to force me to remove it. I managed to escape…but not before he left his claim.”

Tsukiyo rubbed his shoulder, where the enclave of his shoulder met the long swan’s neck, his fingers rubbing over the animalistic scarring that marred his skin.

Irihi smiled down at his companion stopping him by placing his hand over the scars as well. “I’m glad I was of service to you. Also, I am sorry I was not there to protect you. You’re my best friend after all.”

Irihi leaned over his friend, cupping his cheek gently, gently placing a chaste, loving kiss onto Tsukiyos’ lips. His lips were cold against Tsukiyos warm ones.

Tsukiyos eyes widened slightly, his mouth opening slightly with a gasp as he felt the coldness of his friends lips upon his. All thoughts seemed to stand still as instinctively his eyes closed and he felt himself giving back, kissing back ever so lightly. Heat flooded his face, warming it up as Irihi pulled back slowly, his mouth curved into a taunting smirk.

“what?” Tsukiyo asked softly, staring into the vampires ice blue eyes, dumb stricken by both his own actions and by Irihis as well.

“Best friends?” Irihi whispered with a smirk upon his face.

“No…”

The word escaped Tsukiyos mouth before he could stop them and his face glowed crimson and he forced his eyes down, turning away. “I…yes…best friends….always…”

His eyes betrayed a odd, deep sadness as he spoke. “always friends…”

Irihi frowned, his eyes glittering with faint elation. “You seem distracted today. Am I the reason?”

He brought Tsukiyos smaller, artists hands into his own, stroking Tsukiyos wrist with his thumb, feeling the frantic butterfly beat of his pulse. “Should I take leave?”

Tsukiyo felt himself grip Irihis hands tightly, the feel of the vampires strokes on his wrist raising butterflies in other areas of his body. He glanced down and then back up, gulping silently as he gave the taller man a faint smile. “Your technically supposed to be resting…”

A wry smile curled his own lips. “As am I for that matter. What would happen if your subjects were t wake and find you missing?”

Irihi arched a defined eyebrow slightly as Tsukiyo continued. “That horrid Ruby-woman would no doubt come and hunt you down,” the teen mutter dryly, almost bitterly, and then blinked as if realizing what he’d just said.

Irihi merely shrugged smirking slightly. “why should it matter what they think? It didn’t bother us as children. It should not bother us now. As for Ruby, she’s like that with anyone she feels threatened by. Pay her no heed. I am their ruler, their messiah and king. So therefore, they can only listen and only speak when spoken too.”

Irihi took Tsukiyos arm in the loop of his, leading him to a very familiar opening where he sat down on a large boulder, covered in light moss.

“The great Lord and master Irihi,” Tsukiyo teased gently sitting down on the boulder as well. He focused on buttoning up his shirt, the morning breeze through the forest casting a chill up his slender spine. He gave Irihi a small, cheerless smile. “Many things have changed since we were children, haven’t they?”

“But thankfully, not too many,” he whispered gently and chuckled at Tsukiyos remark. “Being lord bores me. My subjects bore me. It is not so fulfilling a life. They obey every word. Were I cruel or unkind, I suppose it woud be more enjoyable. I have you to thank for that.”

He grasped Tsukiyos hand lightly, placing a kiss upon it making the teen smile softly.

“For what? Making your job a bore? Or for making you decent?”

His hand remained in Irihis grasp after the vampire had lifted it to his lips. He felt oddly reluctant to pull it away from the tender grasp.

“Both…perhaps. My father knew of a boy I used to play with. He did not care for my father was not cold hearted. Then I came hoem one day, and told him we must take leave, for our kiss was in danger. He asked no questions and we took our leave eastward, towards the ocean. The oceans there were beautiful. The night air smelled of a strong salted scent and jasminine, and the waters were green as the forests’ tree tops.

I saw sand for the first time. I’d never felt or seen anything sop spectacular. I also met a friend there. His name was Caleb. The more I stayed with the boy, the more he reminded me of home. Of my dear friend….of my Tsuki…”

Tsukiyo lowered his gaze slightly, only to have Irihi cup his cheek and lift his face back up. “I never truly thanked you for saving my families life all those years ago.”

Irihi looked away, lowering his hand, staring off into the forest deep in thought. His icy blue eyes echoed of loneliness and despondency. Tsukiyo touched Irihis hand, bringing it back up, placing his warm cheek against the cool flesh.

“You were truly my only friend Irihi. How could I do anything but protect you?” He said this all with a small smile and sad eyes. “Even if you weren’t here physically…..I knew you were with me here…”

Irihi watched as Tsukiyo placed his hand over his own heart where Irihis pendent rested beneath the thin white shirt. Irihi smiled smoothly at the remark and leaned over, resting his chin on Tsukiyos shoulder. “It is good to know someone was waiting on me. You are no truly the only one I can turn to. Sometimes, I don’t see how a vampire could survive without you as a companion.”

Tsukiyo smiled sardonically. “If not a companion then a tasy lunch,” he chuckled. “I am pleased you feel that way.” He looked away, his gaze slightly haunted. “When I saw you…my heart feared you would leave again and never look back after you saw what I did….what I have been doing…”

He rested his head against Irihis, closing his eyes. “The day you left, it felt like something inside of me died. Father was thrilled…when they found your nest empty…and how obedient I had become…he believe your ‘curse’ was gone. While simply, I did everything while feeling inert inside.”

“He simply did not a prove of our friendship because he was afraid of me.” Irihi sat up, staring into Tsukiyos eyes, his own blue ones meeting the deep dark brown of Tsukiyos. “He only wanted to protect you from what he thought would soon bring harm to you. But know this…I will never turn against you, friend.”

He smiled coyly. “Today is your day…what would you do? Show me your daylight world, my friend.”

Tsukiyo gave Irihi a chiding smirk. “day belongs to the humans, so it belongs to me?” he teased and looked at the vampire curiously. “I know you would never harm me….that would be a false fear…”

He stood from the boulder looking around the clearing and took Irihis hand into his own. “Do you remember the swamps nearby? The ones we tried to avoid when we played?” He smiled warmly, shafts of sun lightly making his face glow, bringing out the child’s features that had yet to disappear.

Irihi frowned warily. “the one with the quick sand?”

Tsukiyo laughed softly. “I believe it’s time you saw that place in a new light. One without shadows.”

“You want to go there?” he asked grimly curious. His face held the odd resemblance of a child’s ignorance. Tsukiyo grinned at the face.

“Yes. Your in the living world now, dear Irihi,” he teased. “And I believe…this is something you need to see…”

Irihi followed his friend deeper into the forgotten parts of the forest. Parts forgotten by all but them. These areas had been their personal playground as children, and had laid untouched, the areas innocence preserved. Though the path they took seemed different in the daylight than it appeared at night, he knew every upturned root and every twist in the path.

Animals he had not seen before scampered through the lush trees. Birds chirped instead of the owls melancholy song and squirrels ran about, gathering acorns for the winter to come. No nightly creatures were to be seen and he felt oddly misplaced in this daylight world. Himself, being a creature of the shadows, probably always would. Yet, strangely, Irihi felt more alive here than he ever had before in his long life.

No one vampire had ever been given this chance. A chance at being in broad daylight and fear nothing, fear not death nor pain. He had been granted a blessed opportunity. He barely noticed when Tsukiyo stopped in front of him and turned with a smile.

Just ahead of them lay an overhead growth of wines from a lust, deep weeping willow. The vines acted as curtains, while ten years before the tree had seemed almost young, its vines barely touching the tops of their heads, now bent with their masses of branches like old crones.

Tsukiyo pulled away from Irihi and walked to the curtain of vines. Shafts of sunlight struck his face from several different angles, giving him the look of an ethereal angel.

“Ready?” he asked.

Irihi nodded, asking, “for what?”

“You’ll see,” Tsukiyo whispered softly, pulling back the curtain of vines, allowing irihi room to step through.

The swamp that had once been dark and drab and even frightening, even for a vampire, lay before them not as a swamp but a pristine pond. Bright purple lilies grew from small clumps of growth and a small gaggle of swans looked up, narrowing their black eyes at them before returning to their lazy ways. The trees surrounded the area gave the water a blue green reflected ocean shade as the sunlight danced on its surface.

Frogs could be heard croaking their love song and a small turtle lay on a clump of green resting peacefully in the light. Irihis mouth opened slightly as he stepped out, in front of Tsukiyo. “It’s beautiful.”

Tsukiyo nodded, taking in the view. “I know,” he said softly. “I hid here for three days after my clan was destroyed…for some reason vampires fear this place, even at night. So…I was safe here…”

He took a few steps and settled into the hallow of upturned roots and pulled his knees to his chin. “It’s also where I came when I grew saddened….about you…,” he faintly whispered.

Irihi laid himself at Tsukiyos feet, on the swamps ground, caring little of the dirt and moisture that could soak into his flawless skin. He gazed up at the passing clouds, each differing in shape from the last but none any less fluffy or white. He smiled as the sun kissed his skin; so warm and bright.

Tsukiyo stared down at him, watching Irihi closely, smiling to himself. As he watched, he felt his eyes begin to close. Moments later, his breathing evened out, as lack of sleep won over the teens stubbornness. The sunlight played over his naturally pale skin, his shirt slipping down from his right shoulder, the light dancing over the darker shiny skin where the scars were, the skin torn as if from a rabid animals fangs.

Irihi glanced up curiously, noticing the young teen sleeping. He watching him quietly, following the steady rise and fall of his small chest. He moved to his knees and then stood, sliding into the hallow of roots beside him, running his fingers through his friends sable hair, wrapping his index finger around several of the dark strands.

The scars caught his eye, a spark of interest igniting. He scowled darkly, unbuttoning Tsukiyos shirt slightly, attempting to get a better look at the old wounds. Tsukiyos breath caught slight in his rest when the vampires cold fingers grazed his skin but he relaxed mere moments later.

The scars were jagged and traveling from where his neck and shoulder met down towards where his heart beat slowly beneath the thin, easily broken skin. It looked as if the attacking vampire had literally tried to chew through the teens flesh to get to his beating heart, but the ones on his neck looked as though the filthy monster had deliberately missed the main arteries.

The act was something common amoung vampires who enjoyed ‘playing’ with their food. Added spice, fear, to the blood and sickeningly excited the feeding vampires. Thankfully there were not too many left like that anymore, for most had been exiled or slain for endagerment to their kiss.

Irihi glanced back up at Tsukiyos peaceful, sleeping face. A decsion was made swiftly not to wake the teen, even though he wished greatly to explore this new world with him. He sighed to himself and closed his own eyes, resting with Tsukiyo held protectively against him.
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Irihi woke to the sound of a loud splash and looked around hissing slightly. Different colors painted the sky. The sun was beginning to set. He glanced down in his arms, smiling faintly to see Tsukiyo still sound asleep.

Carefully he cradled him in his arms heading out of the clearing back the few miles they’d walked to Tsukiyos home. He placed the sleeping teen on his bed staring at him sadly, brushing a few dark strands of hair from his face.

“Why are you hesitating? Take a bite. It’s not like you to let your food get cold, Lord Irihi,” a voice purred behind him. Irihi spun quickly to see Ruby toying with a ruby pendent she held wrapped around her wrists. A bright stain of blood coated the side of her mouth a moment before she licked it away.

“I have no desire to perform any type of blood letting on him. I am done feeding for this night,” he lied examining his long nails. “why are you here?”

“I wanted to introduce you to someone.”

A dark figure appeared in the doorway. Malakai pushed the hood of his cloak back as he stepped into the new moonlight streaming into the room, a faint smile on his lips, fangs flashing in the moonlight. His yellow eyes trained on Tsukiyos sleeping form. “So that is the infamous flayer? He’s so small…almost like a pet,” he said jokingly. “Mistn’t harm pets, les they are disobedient…”

Irihi scowled darkly and the other man smirked and gave a rather sarcastic bow. “I do not suppose you would remember me Lord Irihi….I am Malakai.”

“You are correct,” Irihi said, and coldly demanded, “Explain your relation.”

He never had taken lightly to unexpected visitors, and extremely disliked it when it was now occurring around Tsukiyo in his most vulnerable state.

“I meant no harm in coming here…I am no threat to your toy…,” Malakai chuckled. “I mean…your friend, Lord Irihi. It is simply that dear Ruby wished for me to reacquaint myself with you. I was one of Ruby’s mentors before the kiss fled these lands 10 years ago…I myself stayed behind when the rest fled.”

“That still does not explain your business here.”

Malakai frowned darkly and shrugged. “Ruby and I came to offer you a chance to come hunting with us…,” he said in a coaxing voice. “I have volunteering woman…and men in the far parts of this town…”

Irihis insides turned in slight disgust at the offer but he nodded curtly glancing at Tsukiyo. If leaving with these two was the only way to get them out of Tsukiyos home, he would accept the offer. He knew Tsukiyo would be fine once the threat was gone.

Ruby grinned, her fangs flashing as she guided Irihi to the front door and our of the house, her arms snaking around his waist.

“Oh love,” she purred. “where art though fled to when I was alone?”

“Hm,” Irihi sighed. “That, my dear, is none of your concern.”

Ruby hissed angrily. “You couldn’t have been here with that gruesome maggot. That would be impossible. He’s the day walker and you my beloved are a shadow in the night.”

Malakai smirked staying behind for a moment after they vanished out the doors, going ahead of him without notice. He moved to Tsukiyos bedside, tracing the line of the teens throat with his sharp nail. ‘Soon sweet pet…soon you’ll be all mine…,” he whispered coldly and dragged his nail slightly, leaving a fine dark red line, a thin drip of blood following it as he turned away, walking out following after the other too.

He appeared behind them silently, joining in the conversation instantly. “A vampire walking in the day,” he chuckled, “what a ridiculous notation…”

“Yes, indeed, for when that time comes there would be no place for a human to hide,” irihi remarked with a straight face. “though sometimes my curious mind wonders what humans see in the sun that is so special.”

“I as well, mt lord,” malakai smirked. “Though I’ve oft heard rumors of an ancient heirloom of the slayers clan that allows the undead to walk in the light…if such a thing actually existed…we’d know. Wouldn’t that be amusing, Ruby dear? Hunting humans in their own element of the light?”

Irihi crossed his arms, hiding his left hand inside of his cloak. “If such a thing existed, the vampire who discovers it must report it to me at once. I’d very much like to see it myself.”

Ruby sneered as she felt Irihi attempt to pull away from her grasp. Malakai smirked and caught Ruby’s eyes and chuckled.

He’d told her the fortnight of his conquest of the slayer clan and of his pure desire for the slayer boy to be his own. The only obstacle in his way was Irihi while Ruby’s obstacle in her conquest of Irihi was the boy slayer. He smirked knowing their new partnership would give them both what they wanted and perhaps more.

He took the lead of the group, leading them into an old pub, stepping aside to let Irihi and Ruby pass him, smirking coolly. He glanced back over his shoulder smirking. He’d sent a few ‘visitors’ to play with the slayer while they were out.

He needed to test the boys strength once again, but also Irihis bond with the boy. He needed to know how strong a bond was to be broken, and exactly which weak link to strike at to shatter it.
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“Irihi, love, How about you pick the best blood a vampiress can have in here?”

Ruby looked towards a dirty cage in the corner where five human cowered in one corner wearing nothing but harnesses around their necks. Only 10 minutes in the pub and Irihi was beyond disgusted. He waved off a waiter who was persistant in offering him some of their finest ‘blood liquor’.

“You’ll get only the best…in this horrid place,” he muttered dryly.

Ruby looked to the waiter who pointed to a female human with dirty blonde locks. The woman screamed as a large muscle bound man entered the cage dragging her out by her harness taking her away. She kicked and screamed, “Spare me! I am not want you want!”

Irihi felt a pang of sympathy for the woman and looked the other way. He already dispised this place. It held an aroma of flesh and blood, both new and old and the air tasted foul. All that could be heard was screams of the dyring and those who came, saying they were simply “having a good time.”

Irihi believed these vampires to be disgusting. None seemed to live by how they had when he was a mere child. Back then, vampires had hunted for their food fairly; not had it handed to them on a platter. Neither did they kill for simple enjoyment. These vampires had no shame and even more disgustingly, practical orgies has begun to take place in the darker corners.

The pub was bloody at best. His stomach churned to see that his minions turned to this sort of place for relaxation
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Tsukiyo stirred, his eyes opening slowly. He pushed himself up in his bed, slight shock filling his mind as he saw he was now in his bedroom and not with Irihi in the forest. He smiled faintly, knowing full well Irihi must have taken him back to his home after he’d fallen asleep in the clearing. Pushing the sheets back he stood from the bed, the room feeling abnormally cold.

He shivered slightly and stopped, his entire body freezing in place. The presence of eyes watching him suddenly pounded in his brain and he looked up to see a pair of slit yellow eyes watching him from a hallow bony face. It appeared vampiric, but was shriveled and held deep animalistic traits.

The creature let out a shrill hiss, dropping to the floor from the ceiling and lunged at him. Tsukiyo let out a cry, rolling out of the way letting the creature hit the bed. Never before had he seen a creature like this, but he’d heard stories from his father.

Lupin. The word entered his mind as he scrambled up from the floor racing out of the room only to be jumped at by another similar creature, this one most obviously female. Their eyes glowed dark yellow, the pupils red with blood craze. He knew the scent of blood lust all to easily.

The catacombs! He turned and rushed down one of the hallways of his home. If he could get to the catacombs and his weapons. He turned another corner and started towards the back of the house when the female appeared behind him lunging violently.

Her yellowed fangs sunk deep into his leg, her whole mouth locking down, his blood splattering on the lupins shriveled face. A sharp scream of pain echoed from him through the house as he kicked at the creature with his other leg. His foot hit her square in the forehead, forcing it to release him.

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Hey readers. Review, it makes me happy. I hope you enjoyed it. It took me 4 hours to write this chapter, and it's 11 pages long you'd damn well better have liked it lol.

Next chapter will most likely be up this friday.