Tame My Soul {18+} Nyuu and Key

[Nyuchanxx]

It was a relief when the other accepted his offer, Koizume didn't want to leave the fox spirit to try and light the fires in the house alone, growing up in hot climates he doubted the male would ever have lit a fire before unlike those who grew up here who spent their childhood building fires while playing outside as much for the fun of it as to keep warm. Most of the rooms that were used regularly in the house had lit fires although he couldn't remember if he had lit any of the bedroom fires other than his own, when doing such monotonous tasks he just went from room to room moving but not paying attention always thinking of something else not seeing his surroundings, he thought he had though.

 

He wondered on the question he was asked, he had never used to write, in his lifetime writing was a fairly recent thing before he had had no interest in such things even if he had always loved reading. It was only after her he started writing. The other was right it was an enormous house for just one, when he had first brought it there were two but that could be the reason he started in the first place. "It is too big of a house for one person you are right, but you sound like you believe writers aren't a little mad to begin with, it comes out in different ways in different people but I think to be a writer you have to have some degree of yourself that isn't in this world and doesn't quite follow the rules of society." He knew he was implying that he himself was a little insane but when he thought about it there was a degree of truth in it after all, no sane person would usually think about the weather as people, it was just the weather, an inconvenience that never seemed to let up.

 

He looked at the other suddenly curious "What sort of books do you like?" He asked, you could tell a lot from the books a person liked to read and even more from the books a person writes for the words tend to reflect the true person within. Whereas the books people read often are the opposite of themselves and the opposite of the lifestyle the lead. For Koizume his books were more often than not filled with pain and loss. His books were tragedies which plots were upbeat and beautiful and then all of a sudden would crash down, imploding in on themselves into a horrible ending that left the reader speechless and begging for the characters mercy. That was who Koizume was. But then he wrote mysteries as well many of which seemed to come to an end, solved, then when thought on more one realised that it never ended only the simple was answered leaving more questions than when there was no answer, deeper questions, harder questions.

 

This was the view he held anyway. He didn't tell people it, he didn't want others to take it on and see inside his heart and his head.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume sat back, the others comment had mostly gone completely over his head. It reminded him of the tail of Alice In Wondering Land, the story was actually based on a little girl who spent to much time alone, locked in her room as punishment for misbehaving. Alice went mad, completely insane, and one day, she jumped out of a window, 'chasing a bunny rabbit'. She broke both her legs, which only caused her further isolation. The pain medicine she was put on to relax her only drove her farther from fantasy. In the end, she ran into traffic, chasing the Red Queen before she could cut another rose, she died upon impact. This was why the idea of someone being alone so often always worried him, what if they were slowly going insane and did not even realize it?

 

Though he could almost imagine Koizume being mad, the man looked like a modern fairy tale, a dark prince after all. Even if he was mad, it's not like Natsume would really mind, his was his boss after all, he didn't have the option. Sitting back in his chair, the fox reached up and tapped his cheek, wanting to give a thoughtful reply. "I like tragedies the most, and folklore. I feel like it's nice to believe that there are miracles and happy endings sometimes in life, but the fact of the matter is that life is sad. People die, people cheat,steal and hurt others. That is just how life works, I think the sadder ones leave more of an impact because they are less clear cut, they make you think more. Also, they just seem more achievable. I mean, a prince saving a princess back from the dead with a kiss? If someone dies, there dead, if they fall into a coma, then a kiss is certainly not going to wake them up."

 

Leaning forward he rested his elbow on the table, letting out a yawn as he put his chin in his hand and glanced out the window, a downcast in his eyes. He usually seemed upbeat, like the kid that could be seen running around with his friends, jokign and laughing. But there was much more to him, his life was not all rainbows, he didn't believe in happy endings or anything like that. Even his mind seemed to work in a much darker way at times. Hell, maybe i'm the one who is mad here.He thought silently, hearing the crackling of a nearby fire his eyes were drifting closed. Only now did he realize just how tired he really was, he let his eyes close for just a moment and just like that, he nodded off. His head on his hand and his lips parted slightly as he breathed out evently, the wind howled in the distance.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume nodded, what a strange mix, maybe this males character was a little more complex than he had originally assumed, the desire to read tragedies implied nothing too sad happened to him but then that was juxtaposed against the folklore which was traditionally upbeat with happy endings and amusing plots which suggested that this male was less of a happy person with a good life. He frowned it was rare for people to be this hard for him to read. And then there was that observation at the end. Was he trying to sound like he understood the world and he was intelligent and logical or was he really very open to what the world threw at him and everything was in categories that you couldn't change because they were pre set. What a strange character.

 

Noticing that Mizakari was now fast asleep the tall male berated himself for not suggesting they go to sleep, it was very late after all and the other had had a long journey and was probably jet lagged. He stood flicking his hair behind his shoulders and very gently picked the smaller male up in his arms. As he walked out the room he flicked the lights of with his elbow thankful for once that they had been installed at that height. He made his way up the stairs heading to a bedroom only to find the fire unlit and the room decidedly cold. He sighed at his stupidity and headed to his own room, he couldn't let this man sleep in the freezing cold, he wasn't used to it and wouldn't sleep well.

 

Slipping into his own room Koizume pushed the duvet back and lay Mizakari on the soft double bed, he undid the sash around the others waist and very carefully removed the clothes so as not to wake the male. He left the undergarments on before he covered the spirit in the duvet and hung the clothes on a hanger, he would put them away in the morning for at the moment he himself was also very tired, he could feel his eyes dropping in a way that they rarely did, normally he could stay awake for days and it didn't matter but for some reason his own body was shutting down. Leaving the room Koizume staggered to the other bedroom and removed his clothes throwing them over a chair. He wouldn't even consider that normally but he was really starting to feel tired. If he had been more self aware he would have known why this was happening but he wasn't so he just staggered to the bed falling onto it his mind spinning light headedly. His brain shut down as sooon as the covers were over him and he was out from the world paying no heed to the cold air of the room.

 

**

 

When morning came Koizume didn't wake up when he usually did, he stayed asleep for a good further three hours until it was gone 1030. His mind was clouded and slow, it took him a long while to awaken. The light pierced holes in the curtains as if it had been struck by bullets until it had the same effect holding out light as a sieve does holding water. The bullets of light struck Koizume causing him to groan in pain. His head was throbbing in pain and every inch of his body was tingling as if he were laying on a bed of finely pointed needles sharpened to pierce his skin and stick straight into the nerve endings in his body. His breathing was irregular coming in short bursts and the images running through his head were more ominous and painful to the heart than they normally were. He let out a soft moan, uncomfortable.

 

When his body mustered the energy to move he focused it in and put it all into opening his eyes. He still didn't know what was wrong but he sure knew what would fix it. The light was too bright. It dazelled him, no that was too nice a word. It gouged at them attempting to turn him blind to make the eyes useless but instead there was only the pain, he could see perfectly but his vision was clouded by the never ending stream of pain from his entire body. In one sharp movement like ripping a plaster from ones skin the man flung his arm out of the bed reaching for the bedside table and the bottle on top of it. Nothing. No table. No glass bottle. Not even a book. Where? What was happening? Where was he? Why was he here and not in his bed?

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume sat back, smiling to himself as he watched out at the sunset that was currently reflecting across the ocean. It was late, the time of day where it always felt warm but not hot. Everything seemed to be illuminated in a soft orange that seemed to give off it's own kind of warmth. Birds could be heard in the distance, a few of them could even be seen diving close to the water, in the attempt to catch a fish. He sat at the edge of the small cliff that cut off into there diving area, when he was much younger his friends had all gathered here at this sacred place and had diving contest to see who could get the farthest. His sunglasses rested atop his head, using them as a hair band to keep the hair out of his face, he smiled softly at the calm scene before him.

 

Glancing to his side, he took in Matsukie, he sat in his bathing shorts with his feet also hanging down, his hair was to long so was tied back behind his head. His wide blue eyes looking out at the vast ocean before as well, he looked magnificent. The younger fox's gaze was interupted when Matsuki spoke. "Hey, you love me, don't you?" Looking a bit shocked at the sudden question, Natsume replied with a hesitant nod. "Of course, you know I do. Why would you ask me something like that?" He turned to face Matsukie properly but before he could he found himself being yanked into the others lap. Eyes widening slightly as he felt the others lips press to his own, but with only a moments pause he wrapped his arms around his boyfriends neck and deepened the kiss. After a few minutes of this simply, soft moment, the kiss was broken and the long haired male spoke, his tone now completely different. "If you love me, then follow me. To the life after this one, a better one." Natsume's eyes widened slightly, and before he could realize what was going on, Matsukie burried his face into the youngers neck and pushed them off the edge. His grip on Natsume was like iron as they plummetted towards the water.

 

White blue eyes shot open as Natsume sat up in bed quickly, his hand going to his face immediately as he tried to catch his breath. He felt something wet, taking his hands from his face he saw that it was glistening slightly. Crying? He was actually crying? His hands fell to his lap as his eye lids lowered slightly, glancing over at the fire that was still somehow growing strong. "Matsukie." He whispered softly, before looking at his surroundings. There was a large, warm bed, what looked like a bottle of pills and glass of water, and a fire place. The room itself seemed so warm, yet lacked a certain of warmth all at once. Was he still at Koizume's place? Rubbing his eyes he let out a long yawn before putting his feet over the edge of the bed and stepping onto the floor. Only now did he realize he was not fully clothed. Thinking back, he didn't remember undressing himself, which could only mean....A bright flush spread through his cheeks, slapping his hands to his cheeks he fell backwards onto the bed when he realized. He had made the poor man, feed him, let him bath, shelter him, and now undress him and put him to bed. What was he, a child? Sighing to himself he pushed himself back up, picking up the clothing that he had worn the night before that was hanging, he carefully pulled it on before setting out to find his host.

 

He did not make it far however, as he ended up wondering through the large house for a bit, before a soft, barely audible, groan. Glancing towards the door that it came from, he carefully approached it. Knocking softly on the door, he carefully pushed the door open and called out, "Koizume? Is everything alright, I heard a groan?" He asked, but stopped when he saw the state the man was in. His chest was moving in an irregular manor, and he looked completely disheveled. Natsume's feet moved before he could even give them the order, rushing over to the others side he gingerly put his hands on Koizume, in case he needed to be steadied. "What's wrong? Should I get help?"

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume felt the sound pierce his skull like a nail. He felt the blood concentrating in his brain as thee noise echoed around his mind threatening to turn him insane. He felt the hand upon his skin but even that felt as if daggers were being drawn across the smooth flesh cutting it from the bone. As he looked up he knew his eyes were red changed from thee normal black that they should be. But this, this person was living, with blood running through his veins, beautiful warm blood nothing like the cold, bitter liquid that they bottled from the dead. No this was pure and unadulterated, even beneath the skin he could smell it. He could taste the flavour of it speeding up in the others veins as the fox looked upon him with those eyes.

 

Fox.

 

Eyes.

 

No. He couldn't. Sane thoughts slowly entered his mind. He knew where he was. He knew why. He couldn't take this. But his body begged for it, wanted it so badly, craved it. His panting filled the air as he struggled against the bombardment of pain and the desire to just take what he needed. His teeth scraped against his lip. It reopened the cut. The thoughts, that smell, it was changing his body, his blood red eyes, his lengthened teeth. He couldn't show this to anyone. But the pain. It hurt so much.

 

No.

 

His will power would get him through this. Mustering his will power he enforced it, building it into strength that did not exist. But his instincts kept dragging it away from him, sapping at that strength. But still he had to do this. He was too far gone for the pills, he knew that. He needed something physical. Two doors. That was all he needed to pass. Two doors.

 

Koizume groaned again as fresh pain washed across him and that scent got stronger. It smelt so perfect and delectable. No. Pushing himself from the bed Koizume fell against the wall and slowly staggered to the door. He had to overcome this pain or his life as he knew it would be over. It would destroy him as she had so many years ago. Using the wall for support he gradually pushed himself towards that room practically falling into it he grabbed the first bottle he could. It looked like wine, beautiful red wine, named as wine too. He stabbed his teeth into the cork pulling it free before lifting the bottle to his lips. The thick liquid drained down his throat like honey coating it in a soft velvety layer, some dripped out of the side running down his lips, dripping onto the floor. The cravings subsided. It was as if his life was melting away being carried to another world by this river, he let out a soft sigh of pleasure as he drank and the pain lessened.

 

He drank the whole bottle, not stopping until it was empty. When he finished his arm collapsed into his lap his hand still around the neck of the green bottle. His heavy breathing filled the air. The pain was lessened now although there was still a tingling all over his body and a slight throb in his head. It would go eventually. He sat there as such wearing nothing but his undergarment, his chest rising and falling, his eyes closed, leaning back on the cool stone wall. His mind was blank except for the dull throb.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume tried to get a better look at the man, he looked like he was in so much pain, shaking and sivering. "What? What is it? Are you sick? Tired? Did you get hurt?" He spoke quickly, his own voice rising in panic. "Koizume!" He cried out finally, determined to get the others attention, however what he saw stopped him in his tracks. His eyes widened in a mixture that turned from surprise to fear. This man had seemed ethereal, beyond beautiful, he just seemed to perfect, to immaculate, of course it was all a farce. His breath caught in his throat as he stared wide eyed, his grip on the others arm releasing as he took quick, clumsy steps back. He felt like he couldn't move, he wanted to scream, to run, but he couldn't, completely frozen in fear. Not until Koizume had practically ripped himself from the room, did Natsume's breath return in a sudden huff. Gasping softly, he sunk to the ground as he heard his mind whisper.

 

Scent of blood covers you veil

Unwary ones must beware

 

Like an owl your observe from a distance

Strike your victims within an instance

 

Stick you fangs in their flesh

And fill your veins with something fresh

 

Like a wolf veiled by mother night

Let them fear you with all their heart

 

The moment of reing soon shall come

Let them feed you all their blood

 

Vampires. Matsukie used to tell him stories about folk lore all the time, and his favorite, where always vampires. They would lay out on the cliff or in a field, and Matsukie would just talk about them, about how beautiful and amazing they were. But he would warn him that they were dangerous, vicious monsters, not to be trusted. They would rip your neck open the first chance they got. If you see one, promise me Natsume. Promise me to run away. He remembered his special persons words that he had been told so long ago, and just like that his feet were moving. He was flying through the house, trying to find the front door. He had to run, but where? The house he was staying in belong to the vampire himself.

 

Of course it was to good to be true, when things were looking up, when it was possible he had made a friend, something stood in the way. He ran for a good 5 minutes before tripping over his own feet and falling to the ground. Cursing softly he stood, and saw a window nearby. Having no idea where the other had dissapeared to, he saw he a window and with only slight hesitation, he ran up to it and heaved it open. A huge burst of wind instantly knocking him backwards. Climbing back to his feet he poked his head out to see they were only on the second story and he would land in snow. So carefully, he climbed out of the window and hung there for a moment before getting the courage to let himself fall. Landing with a dull thump into the snow.

 

His eys widened as his tail stiffened the moment his bare feet hit the snow. It was risk freezing to death, or risk facing the monster. He really liked Koizume and knew if he faced him, that simply words could easily sweep him off his feet, and he was so scrared. Natsume didn;t know if she was shaking more from the cold, or from the scare, but he pushed himself up. Absolutely freezing already, he missed the others, warm bed that he had woken up in. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he took off, away from the house.

[Nyuchanxx]

The world slowly came back to him. He had been too careless. He hasn't drunk anything for days and all he had yesterday was a single glass in the evening, then to cut himself. He should have gone and drunk more then. But instead he ate food, it used up blood faster to help digest the human food; he knew that. So why didn't he go and drink more then? Why not when he put the other to bed? He should have known why he felt so tired, vampires don't get tired like that, not to the point of falling asleep. It was all so obvious. So why was he so careless? Had he forgotten her? What she had done to him? No, that was impossible, this entire house throbbed with the pain of her betrayal. Although it wasn't really a betrayal, he had failed to be truthful but no one else was back then either.

 

He sighed. He had given it away again, the first person he allowed to stay in his house since her and he had failed miserably. What a pointless endeavour. But at least the fox spirit wasn't hurt. At least he hasn't bitten him, that was something at least. Maybe he should move house he thought, but then he would not be able to get this blood. This was the only place in the world that sold autopsy blood to vampires in the form of wine bottles. No where else would. He couldn't live anywhere else without biting people.

 

Somewhere in the house a window banged open. He guessed that was Mizakari leaving. He could if he wanted. But he had to protect himself. Koizume stood letting the bottle drop to the floor. It smashed. The room span slightly but only for a few seconds before he headed to the study.

 

He quickly started up the main computer that was linked to the other house and typed a brief message to be sent to the entrance way screen of the adacent house before he deposited ten thousand English pounds into the others computer account. Strange that through everything the currency that survived the coming out of all the demons and beasts was the British coin.

 

The message read:

'I offer you my seincerest apologises for what you had to witness. Please if you desire it return home, I have deposited ten thousand pounds into this account just swipe you card through the reader next to the screen. The money is for a flight home as well as the worth your company was to me although that sum is too small for that pleasure. I ask only of you that you do not tell anyone my secret. I am at your mercy.'

 

He leaned back on the chair, his body limp. His mind empty.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume had no choice but to run towards the direction of his house, if it were up to him, he would have run into town so that there would be no risk to him running into Koizume, but he knew that even though storm had passed there was no way he would make it that far bear footed and without any kind of jacket. Panting quickly, he saw his house and that gave him the motivation he needed as he all but lept to it. However, once he got to the doorway he stopped, as a flashing message was displayed across the screen. He had no doubt who it was from even before reading it, "Koizume."

He whispered softly as he stepped closer to read it. His face displayed no emotion as he read it, he simply push past it and slammed the front door shut. He was absolutely freezing, and his only shoes were over at the others house. Leaning back against the door way, he let out a long breath as he slowly sunk down to sit against the door.

 

Pulling his knees up, he wrapped his arms around them and put his head against his arms, his ears low. Koizume had been so nice, he offered him this amazing job, getting to do what he loved and making a living out of it. He had invited him into his home when he had no obligation to, and given him whine for the first time. They did not know eachother that well yet, but Natsume already felt close to the man, or at least sensed that he had the option to get close to him. He could have become close friends with him. If the other was so bad, then why was Natsume still living and breathing, with no marks, not one scratch on him caused by the man.

 

If Koizume was such a beast, then why hadn't he just ripped open the fox's throat when he was asleep? Or they were in the bath? His old friends warning rang through his mind again, but Natsume ignored it. Matsukie was the one who was the real monster, why should he even listen to anything the boy said?

 

Pushing himself up, he used the door as leverage to stand, his body moving, yet again, before he was one hundred percent sure of what he planned to do. He took a step towards the door but instantly toppled over, cursing softly he looking down at his feet. His right foot was freezing, but his left foot was so cold that he had not even noticed the snow that still clung to it, his foot was so cold that the snow was not even melting. Despite how hard he tried to move them, his toes showed no sign of moving at all and immedietly the panic from yesterday set in.

 

He needed help, but what could he do? The only person here he knew to call was Koizume. Reaching up onto the table by the door, he knocked the phone to the ground so he could pick it up. Dialing the first number on speed dial which was Koizume. The moment the phone clicked, he didn't wait to hear if it was a machine or if the man had actually picked up his call. "Koizume?" He was silent for a moment before finding the right words. "Koizume, i'm sorry. I think I, no, I definetly over reacted. It was just a bit or a surprise, you know? We don't people like you, you know with fangs and what not where I am from, so I got scared...You didn't look so good so I wanted to call and make sure you were alrigh." His voice was soft, he could feel tears rising to his eyes but wiped them away, completely refusing to cry like a child. He needed to ask for help, but at this point he didn't even feel he had the right to. However, when he reached out to touch his food, a sudden pang shot through it and he cried out into the phone, "It really hurts and I can't feel it! I want to stay here if you are okay with that but I can't move it!" The fox was boarderline hysterical, he was in pain, scared, and even though he knew what the other was, he wanted nothing more than for Koizume to be next to him. With that soft, gentle smile and far away gaze. He needed him.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume sighed. He guessed it wasn't such a good idea to invite people into his home if he wasn't as self aware as he thought that he was. Pathetic. It was cold. The fire had gone out in this room unsurprisingly, he hadn't been back in this room since he had left the day before due a the knocking on the door. Going over to the fireplace he put some paper onto it before placing small twigs on the paper stacking it into a pyramid formation until the paper was surrounded by an encasement of wood save a tiny gap at the bottom. Striking a match he placed the small flame beside the paper lighting it. The paper instantly went up into flames catching on the wood licking around it and kissing the dying wood sending the tree back into the carbon it originally came from - ashes to ashes.#

 

Koizume jumped suddenly when a sound filled the room. It was so sudden and loud it made him wince, his head still hurt, it probably would until the following morning when his blood cycle returned to normal. It took his still slow mind a while to process what the noise was, by the time he worked it out it had flicked over to the voice mail. It was only when he heard Mizakari's voice that he realised it was the phone. He jumped up and grabbed the phone but the sudden movement caused his head to spin and he nearly collapsed not able to reply.

 

The panic in the others voice was obvious he could hear the borderline hysteria. Something was very wrong. To Koizume it didn't matter if the other was going to reveal him, if he hated him, if he didn't trust him, none of that mattered as long as the other was okay. When the other was done speaking Koizume gently spoke, his voice was soft and gentle, calming to the ears and silky; a voice that infused calmness into the listener. Or it normally did if the person wasn't near hysteria already. "Mizakari, I am going to come and help you if you could stay where you are and focus on breathing....It's going to be okay." He hung up.

 

Rushing out the room as fast as he could manage without falling over or getting dizzy the vampire grabbed two soft and heavy fur coats along with a thick quilted blanket. He threw one coat onto himself just pulling the fabric around himself while the others he carried in his arms as he headed to the front of the house and headed towards the adjacent one. Knocking once to announce his presence his opened the door and saw the other curled up on the floor. Koizume knelt down and gently draped the coat around the others shoulders. His eyes were normal again but there were bags under them. His teeth were no longer sharp and extended but now were hidden by his lips reduced only to slightly sharper points than a normal persons, nothing that was obvious. He wrapped the blanket around the other tucking it under him and beneath his feet. "Do you mind if I move you?" He asked his eyes pull of worry both that the other wouldn't want him touching him and that Mizakari might resist his help and not get better.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume's breath caught in his throat when he heard the click of the phone actually being picked up, he was more than shocked. As soon as he heard the others voice, he found that he could no longer use his, continuing to wipe his face off as he sat still and listened quietly. He parted his lips to respond but before he could, he heard the click again and then the beep that sounded after the phone was hung up. His lips pursed back together as he brought the phone away from his head and held the phone in both of his hands, looking at it silently. Even if he had gotten a word in, what was he going to say? How could he even go about this, 'hey, I know you are are vampire, but that is cool. Just try not to eat me, okay thanks.'

 

Shaking his head he reached behind himself, taking hold of his tail as he rubbed his hands on it to warm it up. Only now did he realize not only did he manage to forget shoes, but he had run out in the clothes that he had borrowed. They were now a bit wet from the snow he had fallen into on the way here. "I'll have to figure out how to wash this so it doesn't get ruined." He murmured softly to himself, he didn't want to ruin such nice clothing that was not even his. Especially because of how kind the other had been to him. Kind? Vampires weren't even supposed to be kind, they were monsters, thriving off blood and death, where ever they went disaster would strike. But Koizume had really been kind if every aspect of the word to him. Leaning forward, he tried to touch his foot again and winced slightly, there was no more pain at all, there was nothing, and he was horrified.

 

Closing his eyes, he focused on Koizume's words, breathing out evenly, he did his best to calm down. His mind wrapped around the mans words, they way they had sounded through the phone, and he felt his shoulders slacken slightly as he was able to relax finally. He was so focused on making his body and breathing remain calm, that he didn't even hear the knock. Natsume found that he didn't even want to look the other in the face, his eyes were kept trained on the floor in front of him. Maybe if he couldn't see the others red eyes, those teeth, the anguished look in his face, he could just pretend like it never happened. He had just woken up after all, maybe he had been half asleep andhis mind was just messing with him?

 

But he lost his determination when he felt the thick coat wrapped around his shoulders, his ears went right up as he pulled the coat tighter around himself, immediately greatful for the warmth and softness he now felt against his skin. Bringing his eyes up to look at Koizume, he stopped. The man looked different than he had last night, but he didn't look nearly as bad as he did this morning. His hair was slightly askew, and he couldn't see any red left in the others eyes. But the relief that filled him was not because of the lack of red eyes, or even the slightly duller teeth, he was relieved to see that Koizume's face no longer looked like it was in pain. "No, that's alright, I called you because I needed help after all. It wouldn't be right for me to reject it when I made you come all the way over here." Glancing down at his feet he smiled warily and added, "I decided to take a stroll in the snow, I think that maybe, just maybe, it might have been a bad idea." He let out a soft laugh. The fox knew exactly what the other was, but after all he had already done for him, and now he had rushed all the way here to help him, even when it was all Natsume's fault for over reacting.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume smiled gently glad that the other was looking at him again. He carefully wrapped his arms around the male, one slipping under the fox spirit's knees while the other linked under his arms, he carefully raised them both of the floor adjusting his grip a little so that he could carry the other in a more comfortable way. It surprised him at how light the other really was although he appreciated the fact that he was a lot stronger than most even in his current state.

 

As he walked up the stairs the vampire made sure he was looking ahead, he couldn't bare to look into the others eyes right now he was too embarrassed about his loss of control and afraid of what the consequences would be. He didn't want to read those words in Mizakari's eyes even though he knew those doubts and fears were there without even needing to look.

 

Pushing a door open with his foot Koizume lay the male onto the bed pulling the blankets around him before lighting the fire. He needed the room to warm up and quickly otherwise the cold would infuse itself into the fox's body and it would be excruciatingly painful for his body when the blood started flowing properly again and the nerves got blood into them sending signals to the brain. His hands worked fast to light the fire, encouraging the embers into flames with soft breath. When he turned back to Mizakari the fire was crackling gently in the background. His feet padded lightly on the wooden floors as he made his way over to the bed. He hesitated a little debating what to do. He knew what he should do to get blood circulatingd but he wasn't sure of how to approach it or if the other would want him touching him at all for fear that he might bite him. In all truthfulness there was a risk. After all he had had to use all his energy and will power not to bite him earlier and the fact that he could smell the blood in the others body still meant that he needed to drink more but he knew that was more the fact that the old blood he had drunk didn't have the same affect as fresh blood of the living so he needed more of it and it took longer to calm his cravings.

 

Koizume blinked trying to dispel the thoughts he sat down on the bed and gently pulled back the duvet over the others leg saying "I am going to stimulate the blood flow so that you don't get frostbite. It might tingle a little but hopefully after a while you should regain sensation in your feet." He was a little nervous he knew he was still in need of blood and he was about to stimulate the blood flow of this male a technique usually used before one drank. But he could control himself now. He was fine.

 

Gently the vampire lifted the males leg onto his lap and began massaging small circles around the ankle his thumbs pushing down towards thee foot along the main veins. He could feel the still low pulse of blood beneath his fingers and could smell it as it started to move down. He ignored the scent and instead focused on recirculating the blood. The rest of his own body was cool as ever but as he rubbed circles on the ankle and down the foot he felt his hands warm, another natural occurrence when a vampire did this, another thing that helped stimulate blood flow. The scent was stronger now, the pulse gaining strength. He could feel his teeth begin to lengthen and had to focus on breathing in and out slowly to control it. He let his body instinctively massage the foot in his lap as he focused only on his breathing. In. And out. In. And out. Like this he could control his teeth, keeping them retracted and distracting himself from the scent, the pulse. His thin fin eyebrows drew together slightly from thee concentration.

[Key-Tokki]

When he saw Koizume smile, Nastume had to look away, he felt ashamed now. This man could kill him, he knew that. But if he wanted to kill him he could do it as a human, fox, or anything else out there. The fact that he was a vampire just meant he could do it in a different way. The raven haired was looking at him now, his face gentle, brows slightly creased n evident worry. The fox felt no danger coming from this man at all. He legitimately just wanted to help, and Natsume had acted like a child and taken off, making the situation worse for both of them.

 

Natsume didn't even have to hook an arm around the others neck, Koizume seemed to have no problem hoisting him up and swiftling carrying him upstairs. He had only spent a few minutes in his new home, and none had been pleasent, both times he had been practically freezing. But this time, at least he had some company, someone that was here to actually help him, not just drop him off and leave. He could feel the coolness of the others skin through his clothing, but somehow there was a certain warmness to it.

 

Subconsciously, he leaned into the others chest , quietly. There were so many questions he wanted to say to the man, so many things he wanted to ask, but he found the words hard to form. Most of all, he wanted, no, he needed to apologize, the vampire deserved a decent apology. When he was sat on the bed, he noticed his suitcase on the edge of it, the one he had hauled up here but never actually opened up or taken the time to put any of the clothes away. Then again, thinking on it now, most of his items were going to be useless in this weather anyway. Smoothing out the clothing he currently he had on nervously, he watched as Koizume lit the fire. As it built up, it slowly cast a larger shadow across the vampires face. Illuminating it beautifully, Koizume looked all the hauntingly irresistible creature that he was.

 

He moved to pull the covers back when they were pulled down, not wanting to let go of the warmth that had finally managed to seep into his skin. But chosing to trust the other, he complied, letting them be pulled back and watching as his foot was massaged. It only took afew minutes before he already began to regain feeling in it, and at first it hurt a bit, but the skilled fingers quickly worked out the pain and before he knew it his foot was not only as good as knew but it felt amazing. The massage left his foot feeling loose and tingly, something he much preferred to the sickly numb feeling. Gingerly he pulled his foot back from the mans touch and sat forward. The other seemed more calm now but he was clearly agitated, 'is he thirsty? Is that what happened this morning? He needed to drink something?' Looking at Koizume he spoke, "Do you need help? You rushed all the way over here for me, so, do you need to.. you know?" His voice trailed off softly, completely unsure of how to ask.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume looked up as the other withdrew his foot, he had been concentrating so hard on maintaining complete control over something that he really didn't have control over that he hadn't realised the other was fine again. He sighed as the warm skin left him. A deep carnal craving was still swirling inside him rejecting the fact that he was letting that warm liquid out of his fingers but his mind was relieved not to be touching something so tempting to his inner desires.

 

As the male spoke Koizume looked up finally looking him dead in the eyes trying to determine whether he was asking what he thought he was. He found it hard to believe that after that reaction earlier the male was actually offering himself to him. It didn't seem logical. Was it a way of thanks? To Koizume that seemed like the most logical option. He shook his head. "No it's fine I would rather not." His voice was guarded, wary of why the other had suddenly changed his mind and was offering instead of running. He hadn't drank from a living person in an extremely long time and starting when he was thirsty could never end well but no matter how much his body craved it he didn't want to drink from the living again, he might not live as long like this but he could survive off the blood of the dead. Survival was all he needed. Very quietly he said "I don't want to hurt you and it's been too long since I drank naturally." He said in way of an explanation.

 

The colour seemed to be returning to Mizakari's features now and for that he was glad. Koizume shifted uncomfortably. He had never liked this house but unfortunately he couldn't separate the property from his own no matter how many arguments he had with land agents or how large he tipped people he just couldn't seem to get rid of it. It brought back too many bad memories, originally this had been the house he had lived in along with her, then that happened. Having moved out in such a hurry there was still a large amount of things left in this house. The ancient Chinese paintings above the fireplace, the curtains that appeared to change between blues, greys and silver depending on the light shining onto it (simple physics of course but none the less very rare and beautiful) and then there were the notes. He hadn't known about them at first but she had written them and placed them in discrete places in the house, even now he still didn't know where most of them were. He didn't want to know.

[Key-Tokki]

"Hurt me?" Natsume repeated the other, a bit confused. He was offering to help the other find some blood someway, he hadn't meant he was offering himself up as a tribute. Face flushing slightly, he automatically leaned away again. He had already decided that he was going to put his trust into Koizume, not like he had much choice, but that didn't mean he didn't understand the situation he was in. If he stepped on the mans feet even once, he could have his throat ripped out. Reaching down, he pulled the covers up around himself, trying to look like he was just trying to get warm and not contiously cover his neck.

 

So, to recount, he had shuttled it all the way here, nearly frozen, rushed to his new bosses house, been basically baby sat, discovered that the man was a vampire, run home, almost frozen again. Then he had had to call the thing he was originally running from, for help which clearly he would never have needed if he just thought a bit more rationally in the first place. Running a hand through his hair he let out a low sigh. He could basically feel the others gaze on his, and still found it difficult to look him in the eyes. He had two options now, he could go home with the money the man had sent which was more than he had ever even made before, or he could stay here, put some faith into Koizume and try and go about everything as normal.

 

There was no records or accounts on how he should go about this, so he was really at a loss for words. Looking up, he parted his lips to speak but stopped when he got a look at the others face. Once again, he seemed somewhere far away, lost in his own world. Maybe he did that so often, because he didn't like being in this one? If he got lost in his thoughts then he didn't haveto live in this reality. 'Is that why he lives all by himself in a place like this?' He thought silently, his tail once again responding to the heat as the tip swayed back and fourth on the bed. Reaching down, he ran his fingers over his foot, the color was returning to it, and it felt as good as new and of Koizume had not come when he did then Natsume could very well still be sitting on the cold floor. Gingerly swinging his feet out of the side of the bed, he pushed himself off of the bed and walked around so that he was standing in front of Koizume. His eyes still averted, but this time not in fear, but in shame for his own actions. "You said we could go shopping right? You said you should show me around the city, so would you be fine with still doing that today or rather not? If not, I still haven't played the piano for you, so I can do that instead?" He offered, this was his attempt at simply walking over the situation, while letting the other know he had excepted it for now as well. His tail flicked anxiously as he waited for a responce.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume looked up as the other got off the bed and stood in front of him. He knew the male was afraid of him, he could see it in his eyes and he could smell the fear in his blood, it smelt of chillies that had been left in the sun too long and along with that it smelt bitter, the type of smell that you can practically taste in the air. Koizume knew there were vampire that enjoyed the taste of blood like this. They were shallow, common, it repulsed him now although when he was still young he had understood the appeal even if he hadn't drank himself at the time.

 

Koizume felt his head turn somersaults at the idea of walking around the streets today. His body still needed time to readjust, he shut his eyes as they rolled into the back of his head. He felt very bad just thinking of it. Having to control his body against all the blood that covered the people who had fallen, cut themselves, got into a fight. Taking a deep breath he looked up at Mizakari. "Could we possibly do that tomorrow? I know I said I would take you so I am awfully sorry but I do not believe myself capable to protecting you and I want you to trust me even a little although I understand that is a tall order." He felt uneasy going shopping when this man didn't trust him, what if one of the gangs decided today was the day they would go for him, he didn't want to tell the other to do something that would potentially mean life or death and him to do the opposite because he didn't trust him enough.

 

"Would playing the piano help you to relax, I don't want to force you to play although your offer is tempting." Koizume glanced uneasily around the room, this house really did put him on edge. "Could we head back to my place, it's warmer and I can get you clothes and the piano is really very lovely to play if you desire it..." He decided to put a little trust in the other, he couldn't expect to be trusted without giving something back "...this house puts me on edge a little so I would rather leave quickly." He looked down at his hands in his lap before standing slowly making sure to keep his gaze on a fixed point as he did. He wanted something more to drink as well, he really was completely dry even after an entire bottle full.

[Key-Tokki]

Despite the currently ackward and delicate situation, Natsume couldn't help but smile. Tomorrow he was going to be able to at least get out of the house and get some fresh air, even if it was likely to freeze his damn tail off. If he was going to stay here, then he was going to need to completely accept his new boss and neighbor for who and what he was. A really nice, vampire. He could do that, it would not exactly be easy but the other man deserved a fair chance. After all he had already done for the fox, it wasn't right to just pick up and leave, that would basically be spitting in the mans face. Glancing around the room, he made his way to his suitcase that was still laid open on the end of his bed. Riffling through it for a moment, he pulled on a pair of soft black socks, noting now that the fabric was slippery against the smooth floor so he would make a mental note not to go slipping and sliding on the floor.

 

"I can protect myself, I am pretty good at running away I like to think." He joked lightly, before rifling back through his clothing to find something else he could wear. There was a cotton long shit and some thick legging pants, this could work for the time being. The clothes he had borrowed from the other were still a bit damp from his run over here and he certainly didn't want to walk back to the others house in wet clothing. "I'll just change really quick, then we can head over to your place?" He offered, with a polite bow, dipping into the bathroom. Sliding off the clothes, he hung them up on the bar where towels were supposed to go. Then quickly pulled on his own clothing, these were usually his sleeping clothes, but they were the warmest things he owned so they were going to have to do for now.

 

Reaching up, he ran a finger through his hair in an attempt to straighten it up since it was a disheveled mess. For some he couldn't help but want to look appealing for Koizume. At least now he understood the effect the other had on him and why, he was a vampire. Of course Natsume was going to be drawn to him, it was of no fault of his own. It wasn't a crush, that was just the effect vampires had on others. He told himself that quietly, before pushing the door open and walking back over to Koizume. "Should we get going? I could play the piano for you and you can get some rest? You look worn out," He murmured softly, wanting to give Koizume a bit of time to relax since he had basically made the other run none stop since had been been here.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume chuckled at the comment, it was refreshing to see that fighting spirit that the young had, thinking they could take on the world and win. Maybe this male really could win, on the whole he seemed to be very adaptable even if his initial reactions were fairly extreme, after all he wasn't returning home and Koizume imagined that that would be a pretty tempting amount of money to simply leave and go home with. But he was glad the other was staying with him, he felt that maybe in time he could trust this fox, but then fox's had a reputation for being devious and sly so maybe he should, as he always had, keep his secrets his own. Having said that he knew that vampires had a reputation for being vicious and evil and yet the spirit in front of him hadn't ran away completely. He wondered which of them trusted the other less. But shook the thought from his mind, it was useless to wonder over menial things.

 

Standing Koizume raised a fine, narrow eyebrow at the other deciding to tease him a little "Are you implying I look dreadful?" He knew he probably did, it wasn't as if that old, dead blood really quenched his thirst or revitalised his body, it was stale no matter how well you preserved it: like bread, if left it will always decay. Koizume pulled the fur coat tighter around himself, it was a lie that vampires don't get cold, they do. Granted not like humans do, the weather doesn't make them cold simply the lack of good nutrition; blood. He shivered slightly before standing up straight trying to hide his discomfort and breathing in slowly before letting the air back out again.

 

Moving almost silently he went over to the head of the bed, there there was a low wooden chest, the lid open relieving the dozens of books inside. Koizume shut the lid and gently pushed the chest under the bed. The sound of turning cogs echoed in the walls as a panel in the wood moved smoothly backwards and behind the others. Behind the wall was a dark passage of brick walls and unlit candles. A metre back, if you had good eyes, one could see the start of a stairwell as it dissipated behind the back of the house spiralling down to the ground, enclosed in a circular turret. "This will take us to my room, it just means we don't need to go outside so you don't have to get cold again." He turned to look at the other and winking said "Obviously it's not the only one, if there's a turret on the house it's a passage." he smiled almost cheekily, this was one of his pleasures finding these passages and lighting them, they were so still, silent, accepting and yet foreboding, the scent of damp infusing the air combined with the bricks of the walls that the water clung to. These places were the type of places that encouraged his writing, he hadn't found all the passages in these houses even after all these years and it was constantly nagging him at the back of his mind that there were still some he couldn't find and yet he knew they existed beside that certain wall inside a certain turret, next to a certain fireplace. It annoyed him no end.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume took a step back when the other stood, not out of fear, but to give him room. He didn't want to crowd the man, especially not after that morning. Letting out a laugh, his left ear flicked slightly as he reached up and rubbed the back of his head, shaking it. "No no, you look great, just like you always do. " He wasn't lying, even in this clearly tired state, the other was still absolutely amazing to look at. All of his moves seemed fluid, careless even. Still, it would clearly do the other some good to get some rest, he looked completely beat. Then again, after everything that happened, Natsume had made him run all the way over which definitely did the vampire no good. Which was the main reason why he felt so guilty about it, after everything Koizume had done for him, he really wanted to repay the favor.

 

The foxes hears twitched slightly and perked up at the unfamiliar sound of cogs turning, his tail also moved back and fourth cautiously as he leaned forward a bit. Not only did he not have to go outside, but he had a passage directly to the others room. Did that mean he could visit him whenever he wanted? Well, at the end of the day, the man was his boss and he was only an employee, so of course he couldn't just pop up whenever he felt like. Still, it was a pleasant surprise. At the vampires next comment, he couldn't help but get excited. What was this house, like a hidden treasure hunt? Pulling the coat tighter around him, something that had come to be a reflex at this point, he turned back towards the front door and quickly made his way downstairs.

 

More than pleasantly surprised at how normal his feet felt against the floor already. Kneeling down, he pulled on a pair of shoes that he had put there when he first arrived, though to be fair because of where he came from they were more like slippers. Which only made him more relieved that he was not going to have to go outside in them. Padding back up the stairs back to Koizume, he reached up to try and pat down the mess that was his hair so he couldn't look like such a mess. He had basically been moving since he had climbed out of the others bed, so was pretty certain that he had a serious case of bed head. "Alright, i'm ready, I didn't bring any piano music with me, I have most of them up here, " Reaching up he tapped his head slightly before continuing, "But if you want me to play anything from this district then you might need to hum a few bars if you do not have music sheets since I am so uncultured in this area." He let out an apologetic smile towards Koizume as he prepared to follow after the other. Somehow, knowing that he had the ability to appear in the others room unsettled him a bit, knowing that the passage let both ways. At this point, he just prayed that the other was good t controlling his thirst.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume waited patiently for the other to return. He lent against the wall steadying himself aware that he was still weak, he lifted his hand up rubbing his thumb and forefingers together making sure he still had complete control. His fingers would often go numb first if something was wrong but for now he was still okay. As he waited he wondered what he should ask the other to play. He considered finding his own music but decided against it, he knew all of those pieces after all. He wanted something different, something to remove his mind from where it kept lingering at the moment.

 

Setting the fox return koizume stood straight and allowed the other to enter first before he shut the door. It was pitch black inside even with his enhanced vision it was hard for him to see. Reaching his hand up he picked up a box of matches from a brick along with a torch hanging on the wall. Lighting the touch koizume started to lead the way through the passage.

 

Once they had descended the steps there were a number of doors leading of the passage, some of them koizume had the keys for, others were unlocked and then there were a few which keys he had yer to find and remained a mystery to him.

 

Within a minutes they reached another speak stairway leading to his room. When they emerged the vampire snuffed the flame hanging it back inside the door before shutting it. Turning to the other he softly said "you can tidy yourself up in here, the piano is two rooms down on your left so you can get acquainted with it if you want." Koizume removed the fur coat from his shoulders and hung it near the fire to show it to dry from the snow. "I need to tidy up a little but I shouldn't be more than half an hour." His voice had returned to that of when the other had first arrived, it was slightly guarded again even if it still sounded like velvety water caressing ones body. What he really meant by his words was deeper than the surface, yes he was a mess but he wanted to clean up the 'winery' he hasn't left it in the best of condition earlier in his haste but he also wanted to clean the clothes Mizakari had arrived in before he tried to find a bottle that might replenish his thirst a little, or at least dampen it and return him to his normal self.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume followed after the other, much more excited than he should have been. He knew they were just going over to the others house, but somehow the hidden passage made it seem like they were going on some kind of hidden adventure. He had heard of stories with old mansions that had hidden room and passages in them. The only time he had ever heard of a hidden passage that would lead to another house was way back, in the days where humans had no idea of the knowledge of any mythical creatures like Fox spirits, or vampires for that matter. Back when there was a slave trade, and the slaves would have passages to the house so that they could get in and out of the house and do there duties without being seen or getting in the way of the plantation owners.

 

The fox couldn't help but wonder if that had anything to do with this passage, but found it pretty unlikely since his new house was far to extravagant to ever have been slave housing. His ears perked up immediately as soon as the door shut behind them, straining to hear anything around him as his eyes adjusted. The hair on his tail stood up as well, completely on edge. His eyes squinted slightly at the sight of the match, the sudden light catching him off guard and his ears flattered against his head as he rubbed his eyes in annoyance at the brightness. This couldn't end well, there was far to much to do clearly. The next time the fox got bored, he intended to come down here and look around, an entire hidden place like this was just itching to be explored.

 

After stumbling a bit, the fox ended up having to reach forward and lightly hold on to the back of Koizume, using the vampire as a guide as his curious eyes continued to take in his unfamiliar surroundings. Despite how interesting the place was, there was something almost wrong about it, all the doors shut away, sitting alone in the dark. He shivered slightly, not out of the cold but because of how endless the darkness around them seemed to be, the lamp only reached so far. Natsume felt like if he were to glance back over his shoulder at the darkness behind him, he would be greated by some kind of monster, ready to strike. Then again, to be far, he was currently clinging to something that was known in myth and legends as being a blood thirsty monster.

 

As soon as they were out of the passage, his shoulders slumped, now able to relax. He watched as the other dissapeared to go tidy up, and glanced down at himself. He really did look like a mess to be fair, making his way back to where he had been the day before, he poked his head into the large bath. "I'll make myself at home then," He murmured softly in an attempt to be polite, though he knew the other was to far away to hear him. Sliding off his clothes, much more comfortable now that he was alone, as opposed to yesterday when he had been in here with the beautiful vampire. Stepping into the steaming water, he sighed contently, hsi ears drooping slightly as he relaxed into the water. Despite wanting to enjoy it, he didn't want to waste to much time, so lathered his hair, ears and tail with some shampoo he found. Then he quickly scrubbed down the rest of his body, and climbed back out of the tub, letting himself stand and air dry slightly so that he would be dry enough to pull his clothes back on.

 

Only after he had his clothes on and had shaken his tail out enough so he wouldn't drip through the others house, did he make his way to the room with the piano that had been indicated earlier. Knocking on the door to the room lightly, he waited for a moment before pushing it open. His eyes widened as they immediately were drawn to the piano, it was huge, and beautifully built. Carefully he approached it, reaching out and running his fingers across the smooth keys which felt cold against his finger tips. Well, if he had to wait on the vampire, why not go ahead and start? Closing hiseyes, his ears perked as he began to play.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizume first went to the kitchen and found a dustpan and a cloth to clean up the broken glass and spoilt blood on the floor. As he walked, carrying the things, he noticed the air temperature was cooler than normally, shifting both items into one hand he pulled his phone out of his pocket and opening an app turned the touch dial up to increase the temperature of the central heating. Putting the phone away again Koizume waited into the still open door. He was shocked by the mess before him. Glass was scattered on the floor and bottles were on the floor some cracked and useless now but others having barely escaped smashing. He cursed himself, these bottles were extremely hard to acquire and very expensive. Bending down he seaport up the glass and cleaned the floor, putting back untouched bottles as he went. When he was finished the vampire picked a rare bottle of high quality and left the room to their the glass away.

 

When he had done everything he returned to his room noticing that the fix spirit was no longer in there. Koizume let his few clothes fall to the floor which he always kept perfectly clean anyway. Leaving the bottle on the bedside the older man pushed open the door to the bathroom noting the soft aroma of shampoo as he entered and knowing it can't have been long ago that Mizakari had left. Slowly he let himself sink into the warm water allowing it to pull him into its warm embrace. A sigh escaped his lips as his muscles finally relaxed and his eyes fluttered shut. He started like that for a good few minutes before he became aware that if he didn't open his eyes he would likely fall asleep. With an unwilling grown koizume opened his eyes again and breathing in dotted his head under the water before washing his flowing black locks followed by his body. The shampoos and body wash he used was totally scentless, he hatred scented ones. He never noticed it himself but when he washed with unscented things it brought out his natural scent more. A scent that was musky but in a gently way, it held a hint of white musk flowers and the scent that occurs when you burn rosemary.

 

Sighing the male got out the bath despite his unwillingness to do so. Dying himself he l he towel dried his hair and hung the towel up. In his room again Koizume pulled on a very simple silken kimono and brushed his hair before fetching a wine glass and taking the bottle into the room where the fix was playing the piano.

 

The notes floated out the room pulling him towards them, whispering sweet nothings in his ears. He knocked gently before entering and sitting on a sofa in the corner letting the make finish the piece as he poured a glass from the bottle and sipped at it. The music was incredibly beautiful, this man truly was talented.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume didn't even notice the other come back into the room at first, his mind far to into the keys he was currently stroking. His tail was just lightly swaying the the soft, slow beat of the music, he noted how sad and meloncholy this song was as well, and frowned slightly. The one thing he really connected to was sad, lonley music, which he could figure out why. He had had a happy childhood, nothing really to have such a longing soul for, but still. To him t was the sad music that was the most impactful, then again he thought that about most things, movies books, plays, all of it. Bringing his head down out of the clouds, he brought the song to a rising crecendo before finally, it came to an end. Once it had finished, he brought his hands away from the piano keys and let them rest in his lap, at first avoiding eye contact with Koizume out of emberressment, but finally dragging his gaze up towards the other and began to wait for the vampires feed back. His left ear twitched slightly as his tail began to flick instead of sway in agitation as well.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi let his eyes fall shut as the music washed over him. It filled the room and he allowed it to fill him. The piece was sad but he didn't mind, in fact he liked it, it had more impact. He sipped from the glass as the music rose and fell around him reaching the cresendo. He placed the glad on the table, opening his eyes for only a moment in order to do so before they feel shut again. He really was exhausted and the music was letting his mind drift. He had to fight not to gash asleep.

 

It took him a moment to realise the room was silent. Opening a single eye he looked over at the piano only to see the fox sitting there patiently, his tail flicking back and fourth expectantly and his small ears twitching. He really liked very cute. Koizumi opened his eyes startled by his own train of thought. "Sorry." He said, his soft voice strained with exhaustion. "I nearly feel asleep." He smiled apologetically and brushed his slender fingers through the hair that had fallen in front of his right eye. Blinking a couple of times he brought himself back to reality. "It was really beautiful, very sad though, I wonder if there's a story behind it." He looked into the others eyes wondering what out was in his past that made him love those sad songs. He knew what it was for himself.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume's stomach was in knots as he waitedfor approval or denial, after all, he had been flown all this way in order to simly play music for the other. It would not be right if he was anything less than satisfactory, in face he wanted to be more than satisfactory, he wanted to be amazing. Then again, if he was anything short of it, would a world reknown famous author really have notice him among all of the other people he could of chosen. Thinking on it now, he couldn't help but gape at how much the other probably went through to get him here, the cleriences that had to be approved, the living situation and let alone the costs, he was getting paid handsomely after all.

 

The younger being slumped slightly at the others words once he heard that he practcally had put Koizume to sleep. Then again, Koizume had had a long day than even the young fox had, so he was probably worn out, and Natsume had made the other go all the way over to his house in this weather, even if it wasn't that far, so he really was likely exghausted. He certainly looked it. Alright, next time he decided, he would play better. Pushing himself off the the piano bench he was sitting on, he made his way over to the other carefully, not wanting to seem rushed. "Well, you brought me here for a few weeks right? I can play for you whenever you like, so why not get some rest for now?" An idea came to his mind, and he rushed back over to the bench and sat on in gingerly, "One more." He murmured gently, before continuing with another onslaught of notes, this time the song was not nearly as sad, but still somehow held a distant lonliness to it. It was his attempt to try and lul the vampire to sleep. He knew how polite Koizume was and didn't think he would be willing to go to sleep with a guest there, so his only option was to tyr and lul him to sleep. As he played, he continued to glance over to see if the other would nod back off.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi instantly saw the others eyes cast down in disappointment and he realised he had said the wrong thing, or rather it wasn't his words but the way he said it. He hadn't meant it as a bad thing but rather as a good one. It was rare for him to ever let his guard down around people and the mere fact that his eyes were shutting with someone else in the room meant that he felt safe in this males company. He was shocked at himself for such a thing and his mind was spinning again with the possibilities of the things that could have happened while his brain was slow and his eyes closed. He cursed himself for being so negligent. But...a moment ago, hadn't he been grateful, thankful, thinking it was a good thing? Maybe he was feeling better around people. But people hurt you, you can't trust people.

 

He suddenly realised that he was going round in circles repeating the same words in a different order each time. Picking up the wine glass he took a long gulp and tried to calm himself and to focus on something. He hadn't even heard what the little fox had said to him he realised. He was too late to apologise and explain now though since the other had started playing the piano again. He told himself he would explain tomorrow. He would apologise and explain everything...if his lips would form the right words that is.

 

The music filled the room again and he placed the glass back before putting his hands in his lap, his right thumb nail couldn't seem to stop rubbing his forefinger though with agitation. He made himself listen tot he music, to let it fill him slowly. Even more slowly his thumb stopped moving until his fingers relaxed and once more only the music was around him. It was soft and gentle. Relaxing. Koizumi wasn't even aware that his eyes were shutting, nor that his bangs that were normally kept far out of his face were falling in front of it again until they settled by the corners of his long thin eyes. His body slowed down and before he knew it sleep had overtaken him amongst the gentle musical notes.