Tame My Soul {18+} Nyuu and Key

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume continued to hold the others gaze in an attempt to force the way he felt into the other, relaxing a bit when he noticed that the vampire seemed to finally relax a bit. However he found that Koizume would no longer look at him directly, his ears twitching slightly in worried agitation. He watched as the other made his way back towards the house, and it took a lot of personal strength for him not to run ahead of him. He'd been absolutely freezing for two hours now, but didn't want there fun to end, didn't want to see the smile dissapear from the others face, so he had chosen to simply ignore it. But now things had ended poorly, and the other was not even smiling anymore, so he felt like it was a failed attempt. He stepped inside and immediately shook the snow from his tails, using his hand to brush what he could of it off and ten giving his hair and ears the same treatment.

 

Though as soon as they stepped inside it began to melt from the warmth already. His ears perked and his eyes widened at the others request and he nodded, with a bit less energy than he had before. Within a few minutes, the fox found himself inthe bath, the water felt almost to hot until he got used to it, going from the strict cold to such warmth being a bit confusing on hi internal tempuratures. Leaning back in the warmth, he finally got the courage to ask. His ears straight up and attentive "Koizume, can you tell me what happend now please? I know you don't want to tell me everything, or it might hurt to talk about it, but what upset you so much? Did I do something?" He asked, wanting to know just what could have managed to ruin the time they were sharing together so suddenly.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi stripped and sank into the warm water. His skin was cold and made it feel like the water was burning but he put up with it, allowing the pain to sooth him and clear his mind. Pulling the hair tie from his hair he let it fall around his shoulders and into the water before he threw the tie behind him somewhere not caring right now where it landed. He had chickened out of telling the other why he was so messed up and that made him feel worse still but he didn't want to explain it. It hurt too much.

 

Then he didn't have a choice. Natsume asked. He couldn't say no. The other deserved to know. He nodded in the dim light before he took a deep breath as if he was about to speak but instead he ducked under the water soaking his face and the rest of his hair. He stayed there for a while letting the water crush the pain before he could stand it no longer and had to breath. Surfacing he looked at Natsume. He tried to look at him. But he was too ashamed to meet his eyes. "I'll tell you." He said softly. This was it, this could give Natsume the power to fully break him or to fix him. He didn't know which he would prefer.

 

"You don't know how old I am." He started "Records lie around here, it's easy to manipulate people to change them. So no one knows how old I am, needless to say I am not as young as I look. They say pain heals with time, well I have had time." Here he smiled ironically "It must have been a good century ago, though that makes it sound longer than it is - I was a lot younger then." It didn't need saying but he said it anyway. "A girl came to my door. Her cheeks were rosy and her smile beautiful. Back then I didn't mind going out and seeing people, talking to those who read my books and socialising with those that hadn't. Back then I drank well, I never hurt anyone but I drank from them when they slept, they just felt a little more sleepy in the morning. I didn't understand the things that happened when you drank." He didn't want to explain that yet. It scared him "Anyway, she was at my door, this smiling young women and the first words she said to me were 'I'll make spaghetti if you let me in.', it was line from a book I had written a while before then. Anyway she did and then she asked to rent the other house, the one I gave to you. I let her, I don't use that house after all."

 

He trailed off trying to collect his thoughts and to explain what happened next. He had gone into his writers mode, no longer telling the story about himself but telling it as if it were someone else's misfortune that he was cataloguing. "She lived there for a while and cooked for me when she could. I ate it even if I didn't need to. On occasions I cooked for her. Eventually I fell in love. She was perfect, loved books, a good singer and had the most lovely laugh." He smiled his mind wandering back to then forgetting the horrors she did to him. "I kept it to myself for a long time and the years past. Finally I could stand it no longer and made her spaghetti one night before I kissed her in the candle light and told her I loved her. She responded likewise. We lived happily for a while before I accidentally bit her in the throngs of our passion. It's an instinct to share with vampires. The act of taking the others blood shares the emotions boiling inside you with the other, it works both ways. She could feel my passion and my love and when she realised what was happening she freaked as you did." He spoke in a flat voice, this story was no longer about his own misfortune.

 

"She ran." He paused to gather his thoughts and his authors mind tied to find the best way to explain the crux of the story.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume leaned back in the water slightly, pulling his legs up so that he could rest his head on his knees. His ears were perked but still back slightly, and his tail swished about in the water around him, just barely braking the surface every so often. His chest seemed to ache for the other, he had no idea what was going on yet, but it was obviously bringing a lot of sever pain to the other. At this point, he doubted what help he could be even if the other did explain everything to him. The only thing that he knew for certain, was that the smile that he had seen earlier on the vampires face, was something he thought seemed like it deserved to constantly be shown. The fox wanted nothing more than to help Koizume surpass whatever it was that was ausing him such grief.

 

His ears went up slightly when he noted the other staying under the water just a bit to long for his liking. He sat back as he began to listen, slowly, everything began to make sense. The way the other preffered to exclude himself, his lack of trust and obvious pre judgement of everyone he met. Still, the tale started out beautiful, and only seemed to spiral straight down. Moving slightly, he shifted from his spot that was a bit far from Koizume, so that he could make his way in front of the other. Resettling himself, he watched the other quietly again, waiting for him to finish the story so that he could begin thinking of a way to rectify the situation and all that had occured, it didn't matter how long it took. He was determined to do this for the other, not even as a form of repayment for all that the vampire had done for him, but just as wanting to help out someone important to him.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi took a deep breath before he started speaking again. "She went back to the adjacent house and disappeared in there fore two whole days, to be honest I thought she had left. But then one night she slipped into my room through one of the secret passages. I could hear her soft footsteps even as I slept but I knew it was her so I didn't rouse myself. She kissed me then, all my sins forgiven in that single kiss. It was so wonderful, the feeling of being forgiven by the one you love is so strong you never want to let it go. But I was wrong and she hadn't forgiven me, she was only tempting me out. She exposed her neck for me and I gently bit her trying to convey my love through the bite and make it feel good." Now this was real, Koizumi shivered, he couldn't separate himself from it any more it was too intense. But he had to keep going. Taking a deep breath, though it shuddered through his lungs he tried to keep his voice steady.

 

"She plunged the glass behind her back into my chest. But that wasn't what hurt the most. Her eyes were filled with hatred and regret. She hated me and wished she had never come here. That hurt the most. And then she asked me if it was cold in the space my heart should be. I couldn't answer. Everything was moving too fast and she left just like that, leaving me to die there. I probably would have, dying by her hands wasn't so bad but then she told the wrong ears and they came after me. I ran and hid. I refused to be killed by l ow lives like them. " He breathed out slowly. He had never told anyone about this and even saying it to someone he trusted like Natsumi felt a little weird since he thought he could trust her but he couldn't. He wanted to look at the fox but he couldn't make his eyes look. He was too afraid.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume listened to the other quietly, playing ove the entire scenario in his head over and over again. There was nothing he could say that would make what had happened okay or alright in any sense of the word. Why would someone who loved him do that? He had certinly been shocked at first with what he had seen, he had right to be. But just because Koizume was a vampire, that did not mean that he was a monster who deserved to be treated like that. To Natsume, if that woman had really loved Koizume the way the vampire had loved her, she would have excepted him for who he was. She would never have wanted to hurt the other, phyisically or mentally but instead she had wrecked him in both ways. If Natsume had the chance, he would have yelled at her. To anyone else simply yelling at another person didn't seem like much but for someone as kind spiritied as a fox spirit to raise there voice meant that it was a big deal.

 

Slowly, he raised his hand and extended it towards the other, wanting to reassure him. Then again, they were both naked and the othr had just completely spilled out his soul so contact right now might not have been the best idea. Silently, he turned away from the other and climbed out of the bath. Shaking off, and grabbing a towel before turning back towads Koizume. "CAn you stay right there please? I will be right back, I promise." He assured the other before turning towards the door and making his way out of the bathroom. Making his way downstairs to the kitchen, he settled for heating up two mugs of hot chocolete before setting them on a tray and bringing them back up to the rest room where the other was. Pushing the door open, he had already reclothed himself before going downstairs. Walking aroun the bath to the other side of Koizume, he sat down the tray and lightly nudged it towards the others. "Here. I can't be what she was to you and I know that, but maybe we can set a new standard for how you see people? So instead of making you speghetti, I bring you this!" He spoke, setting the cup closest to Koizume next to him. It was just a simple cup of hot chocolete, but the cream that was put into it was carefully shaped into that of a smiling little fox. "Whenever you are feeling sad or lonley, just let me know and I can make us this every time and we can sit and just be beside each other until you feel better. Every time, I promise. Not everyone is like her, don't let her ruin your view on peopl you deserve to enjoy your life, Koizume." He spoke, his ears perked hopefully.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi let the other go. He didn't think the male would want to stay with him after everything anyway so he would let him leave, he couldn't force him to stay. He should never have bitten her and he knew he had committed a horrible crime for doing so and he didn't deserve sympathy or kindness, much less the chance to love and care for someone again. He sighed as he heard the door shut and for the first time in forever he allowed the tears to fall down his cheeks. Letting all the pain and betrayal get washed away by his salty tears.

 

He was shocked when he heard the door open again and turned around prepared for a fight. It had become and instinct after she had told them all where he lived. But it was only Natsume and he quickly turned away splashing water onto his face to wash away the tears. He swallowed before looking back at the other. The hot chocolate smelt good and he smiled slightly grateful for the kindness that he was being shown. "Thank you." He said softly taking the mug and sipping from it. It was hot but it tasted very good. Natsume really was very good at making hot chocolate. Putting the mug down he turned so he was facing the other and reached a hand up to affectionately ruffle the males hair "You are very kind." He said his eyes soft and warm as he stroked the little ears that twitched under his hand.

 

Getting out of the water the vampire wrapped a towel around his waist and picked up the mug again taking another sip. He felt a lot calmer now, the feelings had been lifted from his shoulders and the weight made him feel a little lighter, a little happier. Drying himself off Koizumi pulled on the robe that was hanging up and tied the sash around his waist. "Will you come with me to the library?" He asked feeling the urge to write but not really wanting to be alone. Normally he hated to write with others around but Natsume was different and he wanted the other to be with him.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume sat back as the other took the mug of hot chocolete, he put his legsi n front of them and leaned forward so that he could wrap his arms around his legs and lean his head on his knees, watching for Koizume's reaction carefully. His eyes were wide and focused carefully on the vampire, and his ears were perked straight up. His tail was still except for the very tip which was flicking idily in concentration. His ears went down slightly at the touch of the vampires hand, and he couldn't keep the relieved smile off of his face. Even if he hadn't really managed to do much for the other, he had made sure that Koizume had a good day, and had laughed and smiled more than he had ever seen before. On top of that, he had not let the raven haired male vent a bit about his past problems.

 

Which was something he was pretty sure that Koizume did not get to do very often, if he had ever done it at all. He tilted his head up slightly into the others hand as he enjoyed the gently treatment he was recieving. His left ear twitching slightly in dissapointment when the other withdrew his hand. Pushing himself up from the ground, he listened to the others question and nodded. Getting to sit in the same room as the other while he was writing seemed like it would be a calm treatment somehow. He couldn't help but get a bit excited at the idea of getting to watch Koizume write. He waited until he was outside of the bathroom before he leaned towards the ground and changed back into a fox. If he remained in his human shape he knew he was likely going to get restless and disturb the other, but like this he knew he would better be able to entertain himself in the room while the author wrote.

 

He still remembered where the others study was from previously exploring the manor, so after circling around the vampires feet for a moment, he took off in the direction of the study. His padded feet echoing softly n the floor as he raced ahead, wanting to give the other privicy to change. As soon as Natsume made it to the door of the study, he went up on his back legs and used his front to paws to push at the door imaptiently waiting for the vampire to open the door. Once again thwarted by his lack of opposable thumbs as his tail swished back and fourth slightly in excitement.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi let the other hurry off without him, he assumed the male would know where the library was from that first night so he wasn't worried. After a few moments he followed suit and made his way there too, grated at a slower pace so as not to spill the hot chocolate from the mug in his hand but more because he had neither the enthusiasm nor the energy to walk faster at the moment. His body was crashing slightly after the hit of fresh blood and he knew he was rapidly slowing down now but he also knew that if he went and drank at the moment he likely wouldn't be able to swallow it so he would survive for now and hope he could last until morning.

 

Approaching the library door Koizumi found the little fox sitting patiently beside it, his tail moving gently back and forth. The vampire crouched and gently petted the others soft head before he straightened and opened the door. The room was cold and dark inside so he turned the lights on and went over to light the fire. The paper quickly lit the wood and soon a warm fire was burning. He let out a soft breath, the library was always so peaceful and accepting, there were worse people in the books, people who had done worse things and seen worse things, compared to them his sins were naught. Here, at least, he was free.

 

Picking up papers and a pen from the desk Koizumi moved to the chair by the fire and sitting he tapped his legs saying "Come on Natsume, it's warmer here." He wanted to encourage the other onto his lap, he felt a little comforted by the males warmth when he was both human and fox form but he wasn't sure the other would be comfortable this close to him so he wouldn't push the matter if Natsume didn't sit with him.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume's ears perked up slightly at the shift of friction that was making a soft noise which he assumed was Koizume finally coming towards the room. He couldn't tell exacly what he was so excited about, maybe it was because he felt like somehoe the other had accepted the fox into his life a little bit more. It was clear that any progress he was going to make was just going to be baby steps for now, but he was in no rush so that suited him perfectly fine. His head tilted up slightly as he watched the other come closer to him, automatically nosing the palm of the vampires hand lightly before nudging his hand into Koizume's touch. He couldn't help but feel a but to much like a doting pet right now for his liking, but he could not exactly help it.

 

His kind were draw to people who were hurting as coping options, if someone was sad, they would basically become a pet, but a pet who knew exactly what to do and when to do it. As soon as the door was open, the smile white creature shot into it, immeidately making his way around the room to take in all the scenery again. His nose was much more delicate in this shape, so even though he had been in here before, it seemed like an entirely new room. It smelled of paper, both new and aged, and charred smoke that must have come from the fire place. He was about to settle for jumping around in an attempt to catch the shadows that were dancing across the floor from the flickering flames of the fireplace.

 

However when he heard his name called, his ears perked slightly and he brought his attention back up to the other. Making his way over to the raven haired beauty, he stepped back carefully before pouncing right up into the mans lap. Circling around twice before promptly laying down on the others legs, leaning slightly against Koizume's lower stomach, and bringing his head down he lt it rest on his paws lightly. His gaze came to focus on the fire place in front of him as he let himself get comfortable, waiting for the other to begin writing. However it had been a long day full of fun and mischief for the most part and he was worn out, within moments, the small fox nodded off in Koizume's lap, feeling safe, and warm.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi stroked the little fox that was now curled up on his lap for a while before he picked up his pen and paper and started to write again. He picked up from where he had left off and let his pen scratch at the paper creating smooth lines and dots that flowed as smoothly and elegantly as his voice. For a while Koizumi was lost in that world that his pen was creating and it wasn't until the fire started to dim that he realised it had been a good couple of hours. The clock had already struck well into the night and beside him was a pile of papers that was gradually becoming a very substantial stack. Putting the lid back onto his ink pen the vampire stroked the little fox for a while longer before he stood carefully bringing the other into his arm and being careful not to awaken him.

 

Leaving the room Koizumi made his way towards the bedroom. The house was cold and he knew that there would be no fire lit in the bedroom but he couldn't be bothered to light one either, he was too tired and his body was slowing down dramatically after his high so he just wanted to go to sleep. He pushed the door open with his foot before placing the little fox onto the bed and removing his robe so he was just in his underwear. he briefly considered putting on some night clothes but there was something about Natsume being in that fox form that meant he didn't feel the need to. Though in reality he would only have put clothes on to make Natsume feel more comfortable.

 

The vampire pushed the sheets back and got into the cold bed. His own body temperature was fairly low so he was almost inclined to light a fire for the others sake knowing that he would heat the bed very little but by the time he considered getting out of bed his body was already half asleep and he couldn't force himself to move.

[Key-Tokki]

Many hours past silently as the two slept peacefully, all was quiet in the night. In his sleep the fox had managed to worm his way up so that he was once again right in the crook of the others neck, rising and falling steadily as he continued his much deserved sleep. However, a soft crunch caused the white furred animals ears to twitch slightly. Sleepy eyes opened and he lifted his head just slightly, before looking around for he source of whatever noise had woken him up. When he found nothing, he chose to lay his head down again, and attempt to get back to sleep. But the crunch sounded again and this time it seemed a bit closer. Standing up on all fours, he looked out the nearby window and his tail began to swish aggrivated that he didn't see anything.

 

Glancing bac towards the vampire, he considered if he out to wake him up. However upon closer inspection, he saw just how peacefully the other seemed right now. Koizume really did need this sleep, and it was probably nothing. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that something seemed off. Jumping off the bed he landed silently before shifting back into a human shape. He made his way ver to the discarded clothing from earlier, and quickly drapped it over himself, more than ab it worried that if Koizume woke up right then he woud have seen a naked Natsume standing in the dark. Only once he was fully dressed, did he make his way back over tothe vampire and lean down next to the others sleeping face. "I'll be right back," He mouthed silently, taking care not to wake up the raven haired male. Leaning over a bit more, he pressed his lips to Koizume's temple gently and brushed a stray strand of black silky hair before turning and headed out of the door.

 

Walking down the hall, he glanced out of every window in search of whatever kept making the soft crunching noise. He assumed it was likely just an animal, but wanted to be sure. The men from the other night flashed through his mind and he was worried that they had come for Koizume. Though he knew that it was probably impossible. His feet stopped and his eyes widened as he saw a silluehete move just beyond the tree line. Running to the front door, he quickly slipped on some shoes and a jacket that was hanging there before he took off towards the silluhette he saw.

 

-2 Weeks Later-

 

The driver cursed softly as he continued to slowly cruise through the busy streets of the city looking for someone he knew was not there. His box's fox had been missing for two weeks after dissappearing one night, and he knew that it was probably laying in a dead heap by now somewhere. That, or it might have ran away and found a way to get on a shuttle back home. Then again, it wasn't like shuttles to his contenent departed very often. He'd looked absolutely everywhere and so far,there was no sign of the small white fox whats so ever.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi slept soundly threw the night not even slightly stirring when the other opened the door and left the room. It was well into the morning before he awoke. The light filtered through the curtains laying streaks across the floor. The fire was out and the room was cold. The bed was cold too. Colder than it should be considering there was the warmth of a fox beside him. Or was there? Koizumi focused. No warmth, no blood, no pulsing. The fox wasn't there. He hadn't been there for a while. The room was oddly still and there was nothing that suggested Natsume was still there.

 

Sitting up Koizumi looked around before finally getting out of bed and pulling on a morning robe before he headed down to the kitchen assuming the other had gotten up without him. No one. Frowning the vampire went to the cellar and uncorking a bottle he downed a load of the blood. It was stale and made him want to retch from both the flavour and the fact that he ha recently drunk real blood, he still hated himself for that and found drinking any blood hard to cope with.

 

Going back upstairs Koizumi searched the entire house without luck before he finally moved outside. A fresh layer of snow had fallen covering any footprints that there might have been. It smothered the scent of blood as well until he could smell no more than the air around him. By this point Koizumi was starting to worry. He spent the entire day searching around the area for the male, going as far as to search the passages leading to the other house after he had exhausted the other options but he dared not go far down passages he didn't know, he wouldn't be much use to Natsume if he got himself lost in there.

 

Over the next two weeks the vampire hardly slept as he tried to find Natsume, he knew he should give up, the male had probably gone home on his own money. Koizumi had his bank details, maybe he should pay the other. But he couldn't quite bring himself to do so, he couldn't quite bring himself to believe the little fox demon had left him. He didn't even know if it was just wishful thinking or if there was logic to it any more.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsaume shifted slightly against the hard floor of the cage, the tip of his tail flicking in aggravation as he tried to make it so he was not sitting directly on his bum in order to avoid how numb his tail bone had gotten. He didn't exactly remember how he had gotten here, come to think of it he was not exactly sure where 'here' was. All he knew was that he had gotten both himself and the vampire into an extremely poor situation. He remembered walking away from the house, from the vampire, then next thing he knew he was sitting in the small cage. If he had used his brain at all he would have known to go wake up Koizume before trying to venture off after whoever was outside, at least the vampire could have put up more of a fight than he had.

 

All that he had been told was that this was what was considered as the 'black market', and he had been brought here in order to lure in the vampire. The first night he had been brought he, he had almost escaped by changing forms and slipping through the bars, but he was quickly caught and punished. Before he could even shift back, a knife was brought down, and his second tail was cut clear off. Which was the main reason he refused to shift back into a fox, more than a little afraid of them cutting off something else. Reaching behind himself, he took hold of the tail that was still attatched to him and held it close, silently. It would be fine, Koizume would come and he would be able to defend them both. However, these people were planning on the vampires arrival, meaning they had to have something in store for him in order to sedate the raven haired male, but what exactly he didn't know.

 

Natsume watched as one of the lackies brought he tail that he hadn't seen in nearly 2 weeks back out. Just seeing the limp thing that was no longer attatched to him made his back shiver and his hold on his remaining tail tighten slightly. Even though they had made sure to bandage him properly afterwards, the aching pain was still something that he found difficult to ignore most of the time. Tonight was the night and he knew it, they were going to deliver the decapitated tail to the vampire and let him know that the fox it belonged to would be put up for sale on the market even tonight. One of the men took a hold of the tail and carefully packed it in a box before making his way over to the cage with a sneer on his face. Leaning down, his lips quirked up, he spoke, "Don't you worry, i'm sure you won't have to worry about anything much longer. When we get the vampire, we will sell him to the highest bidder, as well as you, and then your life will just be taken from there. Just do as you are told, kid." He spoke, reaching into the cage and moving to ruffle the others hair, however Natsume bared his teeth before promptly biting into the hand.

 

***

 

Carl cursed as he pressed his foot on the gas, making sure to treat his wounded hand carefully. That fucking fox kid certainly had some teeth on him, then again he knew he should have thought twice before sticking his hand into the damn cage. Glancing over, the smirk replaced itself on his face again when he saw the box that held the others tale. He would show that brat. Pulling up outside of the large mansion like estate, he grunted as he swung his legs out of the car and walked around to pull the box out as well. Taking ot carefully, he walked u p to the door and left it, with a note inside explaining the situation. Banging on the door quickly, he turned and high tailed it out of there. Jumping in the car, and taking off as quickly as he could before having to face the vampire head on. The note explaining that Koizume was to come to the market place under ground at midnight exactly, and bring no one and tell no one, and just wait for further instruction by the stage.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi hadn't slept much lately and he hadn't drunk much either. So much so in fact that when he heard the doorbell ring it actually made him jump. His brain couldn't work out what it was that made the noise. He couldn't smell the blood nor hear the sqweal if tires as the car pulled out the drive in a rush to get away. Finally it made contact with his mind and he realised what it was that made him jump

 

Standing koizumi made his way to the door. He had given up hope on Natsume now and hoped desperately the other had gone home but somehow he doubted it. Opening the door he frowned annoyed that no one was there, he didn't care enough any more to be wary of guests, what did it matter if his life was in danger now. No one would miss him and many would be happy he was gone.

 

Finally he noticed the box. He picked it up already smelling the blood and opened it hoping that he was mistaken and it wasn't Natsume blood he could smell within. It was. Anger boiled inside him but he kept himself calm and ripped open the letter dropping the box into the snow as he read the message. They would pay for this. They didn't know what they had gotten caught up in and now they would pay.

 

Koizumi spent the rest of the day readying himself for the evening. He drank blood little but often to try and regain his strength. He bathed and washed himself. Put on elegant clothes that allowed him to move freely and brushed his sleek black hair before tying it up into a neat ponytail, he twisted the ponytail slightly and pinned the lop at the back of his head. He looked rich and we'll off yet supremely elgant. Finally he drank more blood before looking in the mirror to inspect his work. He looked like himself again. It was amazing how well he tidied up when he needed to, before he had had bags under his eyes, his skin was ashen and his hair bedraggled but now he looked the image of pure elegance. He smiled and looked at the clock. Not long now.

[Key-Tokki]

Natsume watches as everything slowly began to get busy and hectic around him. It went from just the 4 guards to at least 40 people in the room, more cages had been brought in and the creatures that filled them, to his surprise, looked mostly human. So it looked like the market would sell anything that it deemed valiable. From what he could tell, the ones that would go for the most had the best, spacious cages that were only small enough for them to not be able to get out but for the most part comfortable. He'd been stuck in a spacious one, so he could at least assume how much they thought his value to be. To his right there was a boy, who looked maybe a little older than him, with brown hair and green eyes. All of those inside cages were wearing large white shirts that came down to there knees and that was it.

 

His ears twitched slightly as he heard a slight, suttle exhale of breath come from the other male. It sounded like he was crying, but didn't want to let any sound out. "Hey? Hey, are you alright?" He asked softly, leaning to the side a bit so that he could try and see the other a bit better. However, it seemed as though the other didn't hear him, or was just completely ignoring him. Shifting slightly, he carefully brought his legs under him to sit on them carefully. His stomach dropped when he saw them wheel in a very large cage, with a wooden cross on the inside, and cuffs and chains on the floor of it. It was empty, which meant it must be for Koizume. His ears flattened slightly as he glanced around again, as everyone prepared for the event to begin.

 

A tall man wearing a black suit hurried up to the stage as the curtains came back to reveal himself and a large podium that he was standing on. A huge smile spread over his face as he began to speak, "Laides! Ladies and Gents! Welcome to The Market! We have certainly got a vast assortment for you tonight, that is for sure!" The crowed seemed to roar up a bit as all eyes went to the accouncer, preparing for him to wheel out the selection. The cages slowly came out onto the stage, all being pushed by various hooded workers. After they were in place, the male raised his hand, and the blankets that were covering the cages were lifted to reveal teh various people and creatures underneath them, Natsume included.

 

"Now, as you can see we have some truely interesting creatures today, alas it seems one of them has been placed on reservation." He stepped down from the podium, and slammed his hand down onto of the cage that held Natsume, who's eyes were searching the ground for the vampire. Reaching down, tyhe man took a hold of the note on top of the cage before reading it out loud. "Now, would a Mr. Koizume, please step forward?" He called out, with a grin on his face as all eyes loked to the crowd.

[Nyuchanxx]

Koizumi got into the car already fumbling with the keys in anticipation. He didn't like this one bit and was fully aware that he was walking straight into a trap, but he couldn't leave Natsume. They had already hurt him and if he didn't turn up then what if they did something worse to the little fox. What if they killed him. Koizumi couldn't think about it, it was too painful, he had grown too attached to the sweet spirit. Swallowing he started the engine, feeling the powerful thrum beneath him. The car was nowhere near as nice as the one that had be destroyed a couple of weeks ago but no matter, it was still a car and would get him to where the other was.

 

The vampire drove quickly afraid that he might be late despite having left half an hour earlier than he needed to. When he arrived he go out the car deciding to leave it unlocked in case they needed a quick get away. He purposefully said they in his head, he was leaving with Natsume or he wasn't leaving at all, there were no two ways about this. Approaching the doors he took a deep breath feeling his blood pressure rising as he did. Inside there was a large stage and the building was already crowded with the rich and pompous. Koizumi weave in and out of the people until he was just a couple of rows from the stage and waited. He could tell people were wary about approaching him. And so they should be, he was feeling particularly agitated and dangerous right now.

 

The man entered the main stage. The cages followed. He spoke in a breezy tone as if nothing was odd about this and it was lovely day. That alone made him angry. What gave him that right? And then there was silence. Everyone was looking around. Looking for someone. Looking for him. The vampire breathed in and smelt the air. The tension in it and the blood from those around him. He could smell the wounded and the strong. That was good, he could fight if he knew where to get their weak points.

 

Koizumi moved through the crowd on silent footsteps.

 

"I believe that would be me."