Finding Peace

Zelman had accepted during his change that he was evil incarnate, but to hear it said so many times by two young women with one arguing consistently that he was not was almost becoming redundant. Jiro probably never had that problem so to see the Silver Blade have some humor was not as amusing as he thought it would be after a while.

“So what did they say about you now oh evil one.”

Jiro stated as Zelman looked at Jiro like he wanted to punch him, but changed his mind. He was evil so he might as well just get over it.

“Nothing interesting, pretty much the same thing as before. As I stated in the evening tonight I suggest you drink just a little of Mimiko’s blood. It keeps the connection going, but I wonder about that since every bloodline is different so your powers may not work the same as mine. Does she read your thoughts too, because I have the ability to make it so Hibari cannot read mine? It is a limited skill, but perhaps I can teach you.”

Jiro sighed.

“No, I better not risk it right now. It is best to keep a low profile in my case since I cause enough disharmony as it is just being who I am. Believe me it gets old hearing it. Here comes the kin killer, oh no it is the Silver Blade, and so when I give the Sage back his bloodline I hope in many ways my title will go with it. I would someday like to only be known as Jiro Mochizuki married man, dead man, anything normal. Not Hero, not villain, maybe just forgotten man.”

Zelman smiled a bit.

“Well, here you will not be forgotten. Even if you give your bloodline over you are always welcome to come to my house, new identity included. Perhaps if you survive the process and for some God forsaken reason become human………”

Both shuddered at that thought.

“You could perhaps become one of my coven forgetting your responsibility to the Sage and enjoying the full life of a vampire with no guilt unless you want it.’
“After all, he cannot replace Alice for you Jiro. Kotaro will be your child, little brother, whatever…still they all grow up and go away someday. I however will always exist if only to torment others by just being.”

Jiro sighed as he flung a rock into the canal that separated the streets. It was a freedom enough to just talk to the Crimson Eyed Prince man to man without all the titles. Perhaps he would take up his offer, but problem being that he was raised in the military as well as in life to be a man of honor he doubted the no guilt part would work in his favor.

“You are right Zelman, but only time will bring about what has to be done. As long as Kotaro’s body remains that of a young boy I am still his protector and let’s just say that you are right. I remain a vampire and the Sage goes on without me. Will there still not be threats on his life? I am to disappear, but truly can I just abandon him? Most likely no…. I will always unfortunately be who I am and fortunately that means I won’t be alone even if inside there are always things that will make me a lonely man. That is life even for our kind.”

Zelman never thought of things that way. Was Hibari only a distraction, to ease a lonely existence? Perhaps he had been too presumptious needing a companion of sorts although other than his coven members he had been always lived alone finding his way in the world literally clawing his way to the top of the food chain. The only one more powerful than Zelman Clock was the Lord Dragon of the East and perhaps his sister the Dark Princess of the North. Even if the Crimson Eyed Prince with the fire of a god grew older, he would never quite top them. Of course his flames were that of legend nothing more. He always just considered it an attribute of the blood itself that he was blessed with along with all of his other abilities.

“You are correct, but we forge our own ways and wills. Will you choose with your free will to be alone in this world? Will you fight to have a companion at least for a time? I find these humans lives to be so fleeting they are a blink to me. Other than a few like Kotaro most vampires and humans tend to bore me to tears. They are all children no matter their age and we watch them use each other. We all use each other for something.’
“In our selfish nature you state we at least know we are not alone because they all exist, for our pleasure, pain, hate, whatever emotion tends to entertain us at the moment while we are stuck here on this revolving world we survive upon.’
“Even if you watch over the Sage for years who is to say Kotaro would want you to do such a thing? He and Sei are about the same age and being a source blood he will have the power of Sei to defend him.’
“The Sage will resume his bloodline as is his destiny and where will that leave you? The Sage will not need your protection. He will be able to protect himself and here he has plenty who will watch over him. There will be no need of a Silver Blade to save him.’
“The only reason you exist my friend is because you have a personal connection to the Kowloon bloodline and no one wants to stand in your way since they would all like to see Cassandra Jill Warlock dead on your blade. Still Cain and the others do not need you to do that. They just allow you to. Do you understand? You are not needed, but instead wanted for selfish reasons just as I wish you to be in my coven. I am selfish, but at least I am honest about it.”

Jiro hated to face the truth, but it was there and he really expected no one to say it out loud.

“I know this.”

Zelman looked surprised.

“Yet you remain with him anyway……..he must be quite special. So, since we are stuck together and have eternity of immortal boredom to look forward to why not entertain me with a story. Tell me about your time with the first Sage Alice Eve. I have nothing better to do and girlish prater as amusing as it is gets to be redundant. I can repeat all I have said to you about the two young twitterpaited women who are obsessed with us or we can actually have a normal conversation about intelligent things that matter.”

Jiro wasn’t sure about telling the story, but why not? Zelman and Jiro had nothing to lose except time and they had an insurmountable amount of that.

“Fine, but it is really not a lot to brag about. I met Alice Eve as a Sub Lt. of the Japanese Navy many years ago. She was much like the Sage now, about as childish as Mimiko and Hibari with an occasional intelligence that surpassed even The Lord Dragon, or so I believe.’
“I fell in love at first sight of course like a rash fool. Head over heels, but I was young. New to the Navy in many ways and I knew Cassandra Jill Warlock was a vampire. We had been doing some secret missions and of course this leaked out. Not that Cassa didn’t flaunt what she was, but there had been an epidemic aboard the vessel I was attached to and the Kowloon curse began. Back then ships were not made as they are now and I was critically injured.’
“I would rather not go into detail on that account since it is just more hum drum human stupidity or bravery. Whatever you wish to call it, being a young Navy Officer I wanted the prestige and honor of being a hero. Sometimes you regret your wishes.’
“I knew the Sage was both a liar, a lousy one at that, and full of herself. Still I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Alice Eve was the most beautiful young maiden I had laid eyes upon. I was hooked and then she saved my life making me what I am now.’
“I in my mind considered her my wife since we were combined in blood and those rites to me were as sacred as going to the chapel with the woman of my dreams. We lived in the honeymoon stages of our relationship incognito to what was reality around us. Immortal beings should not be so lazy considering that we constantly ignored the dangers that could tear us asunder.’
“I was so enthralled that I ignored any wrong doing on her part. Then Cassandra betrayed us both and Alice was killed. What I do not understand is why she betrayed us and why she watched over Alice’s ashes.’
“What happened intimately and was spoken between the Sage and I is between us only. I do not go that far into detail because it is the one thing that is mine. It is something that the Black Snake could not take from me. Those are memories I hope to keep to myself and perhaps if there is a God he will give me liberty to at least keep those from Kotaro so I may have them even if they are a reminder of what I will never have again.’
“Mimiko and Kotaro shock me so often. They say things she would have said, but Mimi can never replace my heart or the hole that is left within. I lost my soul or at least a part of it when I lost Alice Eve.’
“I gave Kotaro my last name as I would have Alice making him in many ways my son although I know better. He is Alice reborn a phoenix from the ashes of her grave and our child. At least that is what I see of things. I call him little brother because it is almost too odd to call a reincarnation of my lover and wife son. However he came about he is our legacy and as the Sage the bloodline ends or begins with him. All of it belongs to that golden hair and blue eyes that reminds me of her every day I live.”

Zelman looked out into the distance.

“A hole you say. So, it is a good thing I will not let myself love anyone. I care, do not get me wrong, but I just do not find love appealing. It causes harm and makes people do stupid things like you sitting here wallowing in pity when you have a perfectly good virgin to rape blood from.”

Jiro smiled at that thought.

“So I should become an evil man you say. Perhaps, if my conscious will clear me, I however do not have the stamina of Zelman Clock able to be an evil beautiful monster who should be shot with silver bullets and yet a gentleman at the same damn time. Isn’t that what was stated?”

Zelman laughed.

“Well as long as I am not brooding while being such a thing although being shot is a bit harsh. I do not think I am that much of a cad. I did after all let Hibari live.”

Zelman stated with a smirk on his lips leaping down off of the canal barricade that he was balancing on with his hands still in his pants.

“And good Sir you gave her a credit card to boot. You must be a saint these days.”

Zelman and Jiro laughed as they watched the sunset while walking. It was nice to have someone to talk to. Perhaps if the Sage did not have a place for him Jiro would go to Zelman. If not, he did find a friend in the man.

For a while Zelman felt freer with Jiro then anyone. He could laugh, but this in many ways was still a game of chess and he for now was winning. Zelman did not ever forget his intentions. He was too old to become complacent. Of course he would be friends with Jiro no matter the outcome, but for now he would be using every bit of information to get both the Silver Blade and the Sage to come to him. It was a time consuming task, but as he chipped away the armor eventually the fortress would come tumbling his way to rebuild again.

“Jiro I could give you my blood. I mean I could give you my bloodline just in case something goes wrong when you transfer yours over.”

Jiro looked at Zelman who was dead serious.

“I am unsure that is a good idea.”

Zelman shrugged.

“Well if I asked you can I try the Sage’s blood? I mean you have a pure source like my own and I just have this itch to taint you a bit. It isn’t like I would be taking enough to matter; just a taste and then you can have the same privilege. It is rare when I offer anything like this in fact….I never do.”

Jiro did wonder what another vampire’s blood might be like. Perhaps a taste wouldn’t be something to fuss over.

“I don’t have a glass to put it in, I mean hell, and you are talking about drinking directly from each other? I don’t know if I would care much for the reaction although the last time…….”

Jiro blushed since it had been centuries it seemed since he drank from Alice Eve and of course drinking from Mimiko was damn near sexual. It was almost too personal to contemplate since he had stuck with the blood packs and only drank from Mimi save any human if there were no other choice. Still, what would Zelman say if he said no? Would he be insulted? If he said yes, well, he kind of wanted to. A vampire lived off of blood and from a direct source of power like Zelman’s it would be like drinking from a god.

“You tempt me very much Zelman Clock. You with your Crimson Eyes and Fire would make mince meat of one like me. I wouldn’t dare challenge you even as the Silver Blade unless I had no choice. Why would you even offer? I mean I don’t have a glass even if you did and wouldn’t it be weird? I mean man to man…..I like women and it is going to be odd enough with Kotaro even though he is like a son so even that is…..well different.”

Zelman laughed and almost doubled over in laughter. Who would figure the Silver Blade to be such a shy one? It was quite amusing since as a vampire Zelman preferred his blood directly from the source no matter the gender. It was a survival instinct and only now after hundreds of years of evolution did he finally comply to the Special Zone’s available blood packs or abstinence unless a willing donor came his way.

“You really are such an innocent. Did Alice Eve never take you out to feed?”

Jiro sighed.

“I really hadn’t needed to do that much. Alice’s bloodline makes it so Kotaro and I are not forced to feed often if at all. To be honest, Alice gave me enough blood that I sometimes wonder if I will ever need to do such things as feed unless like I stated before, it becomes necessary……..”

Zelman unzipped his jacket bearing his neck finding this news annoying. How the hell could Jiro go on this way? It was completely against a vampire’s nature to be so damn pure. Zelman had to corrupt the two vampires at least a bit. No self respecting vampire could go without at least the blood packs on occasion and if he wasn’t going to take advantage of Mimiko’s sweet virgin blood more often than the least Jiro could do was entertain him by taking at least a taste of his bloodline to see what happened

Damn this was boring just talking and not doing anything even slightly ‘dangerous’ or taboo. Jiro needed to loosen up a bit since he was too straight laced.

Zelman had to do something since Hibari was sleeping not having an interesting dream at all this time. In fact she wasn’t dreaming at all. Probably resting after all of the blood he supposedly ‘leached’ off of her. Mimiko really had quite the mouth for such an ‘innocent’ little girl.

“Come now….just a taste and then you can at least see what it is like. I don’t have a cup here either not that I find doing such things distasteful. We are vampires, act like one…I dare you.”

Jiro looked as the blood showed from Zelman’s sharp finger nails puncturing a small hole in his very pale skin.

It was hard for Jiro to look away as the smell of the blood was making his fangs itch.

“You don’t know what you are asking of me and what if it taints my bloodline? How can I even consider doing that to Kotaro?”

Zelman was in front of Jiro in seconds pulling the stubborn man’s head to his neck.

“You are only taking a taste so don’t be so melodramatic. It isn’t enough to do more than let you see what you are missing and I don’t do this for anyone. In fact those of my coven never get as close as I am letting you. Just a taste Jiro and then you do the same for me. I am old enough to let go and strong enough to push you off. Your fear is rather pitiful. You can’t tell me you are not man enough to at least try to act your age and listen to your blood like you should have been doing all along. For once in your pathetic overly chivalrous boring life do something spontaneous.”

Jiro felt the blood on his lip and couldn’t pull away as he finally bit having no option other than either hurting his new ‘friend’ which was impossible or himself in the process.

Zelman moaned as Jiro bit into him. He caressed that long black hair trying to ignore the images that now filled his brain.

As Jiro drank images of a beautiful young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes that had once been Alice Eve came to Zelman’s mind. Private moments of Jiro and Alice making love started popping up than white hot anger filled him as Cassandra Jill Warlock came into view. The beautiful dark haired green eyed Black Snake that had betrayed them sitting next to ashes with a newborn Kotaro within as Alice was reborn with Jiro holding the tiny infant rocking him.

Zelman soon felt lust as Jiro was rubbing against him and he had to push him away. It was getting weird and it was time to make the guy let go before things got too interesting for Zelman’s comfort. There was taboo and then there was…..well he had only tried such things perhaps 600 maybe 500 years ago. It wasn’t as pleasant as he expected, but since it was not sexual anyway it didn’t matter since the few men he had kissed died in his arms. It served them right too for trying in the first place. He considered it a little revenge for trying to pursue him in the alleyways while he was hunting.

Jiro pulled away with his lips covered in Zelman’s blood. Zelman never thought of Jiro as a messy eater, but this look suited him well. Zelman licked his lips tempted to get the rest of his blood back from his new friend, but sometimes listening to his blood was not exactly what he wanted to do even if it was good advice.

Using his powers Zelman cauterized the wound and watched in shock as Jiro pushed Zelman to the ground to lick off the rest of the blood only to try to bite him again.

“Jiro………hello……..we are friends my dear but not like that……at least I know you would hate me min the morning so you might want to come to your senses………”

Grasping Jiro’s face firmly, but gently Jiro came to his senses and literally leapt off of Zelman feeling very embarrassed. What the hell was he doing?

Jiro’s whole face, skin, was bright red. He looked like he was mortified beyond words. Zelman knew right then that Jiro was what vampires called a ‘blood virgin’, well as far as other males were concerned since most vampires didn’t even question gender when it came to feeding. It was always just a matter of free blood and taking what was available to you at the time.

“I………I……….”

Jiro couldn’t come up with the words as Zelman bust up laughing on the ground. Jiro’s face was classic and Zelman just couldn’t get enough of that vampire. Jiro would indeed have to drink from him again another time. This information was useful and of course eventually Jiro would simply get over the fact that morning wood didn’t just happen at dawn or with females alone. Drinking blood always affected all of one’s body parts including ones that they didn’t necessarily want coming to attention.

“Well you definitely are not the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but you will learn that is a small sacrifice for keeping yourself ‘healthy’ and ‘strong’ young Jiro Mochizuki. Your viral prowess is not in question here so do not concern yourself with such minor issues. It happens to us all.”

Zelman stated softly as he pulled himself together.

“I guess it is your turn now…..”

Jiro stated as he bent his neck over to offer since it was only fair. Zelman lifted up his hand.

“No……I have what I wanted and you will keep your bloodline. If we do anymore I fear you will affect your bloodline or have to suck it out of me……unless of course you wish to pursue me again? I kind of was just wondering if you would resist me, you could have you know even when I tried to force you to drink from me.”

Jiro blushed even darker red if that was possible since he was still red trying to find ways to make part of his body relax of blood rather than be full of it bouncing uncomfortable against his pants as he walked next to Zelman. If he was wearing his normal attire he would have matched it Zelman mused. He knew the tent in his pants would fade eventually as would Jiro’s. It was part of the excitement of drinking blood itself.

“Then why would you offer for us to exchange blood Zelman?”

Jiro blurted out feeling rather taken advantage of.

“I just wanted to insure we don’t lose you when you transfer your bloodline over. You can thank Cain and maybe even the Lord Dragon Sei for that. They told me to look out for you, but not persuade you to do anything foolish. I am not going to lie, I didn’t make you do anything foolish and I am looking out for you as well as for myself. If the Lord Dragon and Cain wanted me to change my mind about you they would not have had me associate myself directly with you so they both knew the outcome. It would happen eventually.’
“Everyone knows eventually you will have to cut your ties with Kotaro because you are choosing to do so and because you choose to give him your bloodline. Do you really believe all of your bloodline will be lost from the Sage just because you give it back? That bloodline will always be a part of you Jiro and now so will mine. Perhaps Cain and others will do the same. It will insure no house is stronger than another and that you, the Silver Blade, can no longer be a threat to us all. We shall see how things occur. Do not think to hard or fret yourself into a tizzy Jiro. I just chose to act early on. I hate to procrastinate when all I have is time to waste. It is easier to cause chaos now than wait for it to happen.”

Jiro’s fists clenched.

“So you used me? You are all planning on using me?”

Zelman smirked.

“The Special Zone accepted you, not the other way around Jiro. You will have to bend a little. I am also pleased to see your outdoor shelter, dare I say tent, is no longer an issue now. See I am quite helpful to you.”

Jiro wanted to storm away, but he was stuck with Zelman until he could insure Mimiko was fine. He had nothing to go back to. No Kotaro, an empty apartment, and no one to protect. They were all here and he absolutely couldn’t let Zelman get away with this. It had to be fair.

“Look, just drink from me.”

Zelman smiled.

“Are you begging me Jiro? No…sorry can’t do it.”

Jiro cut his wrist with a small flick across his blade.

“Drink damn it! You’re the one who said to listen to the blood so damn it listen to it!”

Zelman sighed pushing the bloody wrist away although his tongue ached to lick that dark fluid that called to him.

“No…..I will not start a war…well not with the Lord Dragon or his sibling anyway. Put your toys away and quit tempting people. You are going to leak all over the sidewalk.”

Jiro felt a burning sensation and the wound was cauterized as flames licked at his wrist. They were not coming from Zelman though.

“What the hell did you do to me?”

Zelman smirked as Jiro winced.

“I gave you the power of fire. As each house shares with you this is how you gain enough power to sit among us Silver Blade. You are the kin killer, but then again you are not. I am sure Cain will force you too later on. I wonder if you will be blue….hnnn………”

Zelman stated thinking about it. If Jiro had power from each house he would be powerful enough to challenge them all, but knowing Jiro’s naïve nature he would most likely never do such a thing. Yes he would be a grand guardian over their interests.

Jiro tried again only to have Zelman grab his wrist.

“Come on…..you know that this isn’t right Zelman. You know you want to taste it and it is only fair. I won’t owe you. I refuse.”

Zelman slapped Jiro across the face.

“Grow up. This isn’t about what is fair Silver Blade. If it were I would have you in my coven and you would be groveling at my feet not making passes at me.”

Jiro bumbled with his words.

“I was not……….how could you………..you perverted………I wasn’t making a pass damn it!”

Zelman shrugged.

“Then quit offering unless you want me to kiss you.”

Jiro stopped turning white at that thought wiping the dried blood off not noticing he still had some on his lips.

“You wouldn’t do that anyway you are trying to play with me that is all.”

Zelman smiled.

“Good you catch on except I would kiss you. You are quite pretty…….especially when you are angry. I wonder if Alice, the first Sage thought so too.”

Jiro felt insulted.

“I am not pretty. Alice stated I was handsome, not……what the hell are you getting at?”

Zelman shrugged.

“Nothing, I was just messing with you. You are too easy Jiro Mochizuki. Perhaps you should try to play hard to get with Mimiko. I did see what you think of her. Making love to her won’t be as promising as it was with Alice Eve, but it could be fulfilling in other ways.”

Jiro frowned as Zelman kept walking with Jiro keeping up as they entered a nice Hotel.

“So Jiro, are we sleeping together after our…..moment together since you are so persistent or do you want separate rooms?”

Zelman stated with a straight face while bubbling with glee on the inside. Jiro was way to fun to mess with.

“Separate rooms…..I do have my morals and I was not pursuing you. I was just trying……”

Zelman lifted his hand up to stop Jiro.

“To be fair…..yes I am aware of your emotional need for fairness. Still, you cannot afford this place so I took care of things. We will stay in a room together with two beds. I promise I won’t rape you or your delicious sweet powerful blood Silver Blade. You are safe from me Jiro and you should know that if you ever listened to your blood.”

Jiro felt like a fool for ever letting Zelman talk him into anything. He should just stay outside, but listening to his gut feeling he knew that if he did he would regret the dawn of the coming day. Plus he had nothing else to do. Following Zelman to get their keys they stayed in a room across from the two girls much like his apartment across from Mimiko so in some ways it made him feel at home.