Nightwalker Fan Fiction ❯ The Bells ❯ Warning Bells ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Cain and Shido or any of the other characters from Nightwalker, no matter how much the voice in my head sounds like Guni…

Warning: As in just about all the fan fiction I write, this fic contains YAOI, or Male/Male relationships that are, as always, incredibly graphic. To me, it's art, and therefore restricting it would be not only stupid, but futile as my muse would beat me into submission and scream for me to write it anyway…

Chapter Four: Warning Bells

"Well, that was quite rude," Ken snorted in disgust as the driver sped away from the looming gray castle. The driver had refused to take them any closer than the gates at the end of the estates massive paved road.

"Animals learn to sense danger, Ken," Shido said, his voice low and eyes distant as he approached the wrought iron gates. "The man was smart to leave us here."

Ken gave his dark brother a skeptical look that disappeared the moment the lavender hair vampire's hands clasped on the cold. The vampire's body seemed to move on it's own, the sensual grace blatantly apparent, but not seemingly purposeful. As if Shido was simply innately sensual. In that split second, Ken'ichi's mind flashed to a image of his tyrian tressed friend gripping on iron bedposts, instead of iron gates, as all of that pale, perfect body was revealed to him in the throes of passion and his mouth traced every naturally sensuous curve of flesh and muscle.

Cain's voice brought Ken out of his stupor, and Shido stared at the younger vampire. Apparently the blond had been staring at his brother the entire time. Embarrassed, he turned to his maker. "Master?"

"I said that you need to be careful. The second that we enter the estate, there will be many vampires that will trick you, hurt you, and try to use you to get to either Shido or me. And it would be best that you limit your Japanese to only ourselves. This Coven is made up of many different vampires, but the common language is English. " A small smile grew on Cain's face when he saw a red blush creep into his creation's feature. No, he hadn't missed the lustful gaze that the younger vampire has pinned on his elder brother in arms.

"English?" Ken asked.

"Between English and American tourism and business, many European vampires have found knowing English in their travels to be of a certain benefit. Even I can speak it, as I am sure you can as well," Cain replied, matter-of-factly. Many vampires had to lower their pride when they joined a coven, and abandon their native tongues (or use them in like company) in favor of a language that was understood by the majority of the Coven.

"Yes, father," Ken replied, refusing to meet Shido's gaze as they walked up towards the estate.

"Raise your head," Shido finally said, and Ken looked up to his brother, and father, both of which were walking, their heads held high as he stared straight forward. "The last thing you want to do in a vampire coven is to show fear or weakness."

The last thing Ken was doing was showing them fear. He was showing fear for himself, and the growing desire he felt for his dark brother. "Are they watching us?" Ken whispered.

"They always are," Cain replied as the bushes lining their path rustled.

***

Despite the castle's outer appearance, the inside of the coven's home was well lighted, having converted to less dangerous electric energy almost as soon as the technology was made available. The light, of course, has been cleverly disguised to match the 17th century décor.

The second that Cain entered the main hall, a tall, black haired vampire with two other's in tow, rushed towards him.

"Lord Cain! Why have you returned that traitorous creature to our midst!" the vampire shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Shido.

"Because," Cain said, grabbing onto the aforementioned finger and twisting it painfully, "that 'creature' is one of the most beautiful on the face of the planet, and he's MINE, Erik." Cain's voice became a low growl as he released the black haired vampire's finger, and left him to massage the poor digit.

"Your attachment to him clouds your judgement, Coven Master," Erik snarled back.

"Should we settle this argument, Erik?" Cain offered, until Shido put a hand to his shoulder.

"Master," Shido said quietly. It had been the only time that Shido had offered Cain any title but his name. "If I may defend myself?"

"No, I refuse it!" Cain snapped, but Shido barely flinched.

"Please, Cain, I wish to here this young one's story," a new voice said, and a figure in the shadows of the hall made itself apparent. Another vampire, this one with long white hair and erratic but exotic bangs that fell ever so slightly into his eyes but parted in the middle to show a strong and angular face with piercing bronze colored eyes, stepped forward and bowed politely to the three new arrivals. "Coven Master," he addressed formally, "and," he paused, "I'm sorry, I don't know what name you call yourself these days."

"Kyoki Ken'ichi," Ken growled. He didn't like Erik's rude welcome, but he was liking this vampire's slimy-as-a-sales-pitch attitude either.

"It is a pleasure, but I was referring to the green-eyed beauty behind our Coven Master," the white haired vampire smiled as his gaze turned towards Shido.

"Tatsu-," Shido coughed to clear the growing lump in his throat.

"Tatsu? Do all Japanese have such short and succinct names, Tatsu?"

"Tatsuhiko. I was trying to say Tatsuhiko Shido," Shido managed. Something about this vampire seemed eerily familiar, and it made the hairs on Shido's neck stand on end.

"Stavros. It is a pleasure to meet you, Shido. Though I much prefer Tatsu. It has a very…innocent air, about it," Stavros replied, making it a point to punctuate the word "innocent" with a glance to a decidedly irritated Cain.

"Shido is his first name. Japanese introduce themselves last name first for a reason," Ken growled.

Stavros must have finally acknowledged the younger man, for he looked to the blond with a half glare. "My apologies, Tatsuhiko. I hope that our dear Erik," he glared at the younger vampire," hasn't made you feel unwelcome. I assure you, we are all looking forward to your tales from Japan." He turned back to Cain. "If you will excuse us, Coven Master," he bowed again, and all four vampires, Erik reluctantly, left Shido, Ken and Cain in peace.

"Ken'ichi?" Cain asked.

"Yes, Father?" Ken asked.

"Do you remember the vampire I said would use you against us?" Cain replied.

"Yes?"

"That was one of them," Shido shuddered, and Ken made the promise to himself then and there that if there were so many vampires angered by Shido's return, he would need a protector. It was time to pay Shido back for helping him escape his own past, by protecting the vampire from his.

Cain turned just in time for neither of his fledgling to see the uncharacteristic smile that spread across his face as they strode towards Cain's chambers…