You Killed the Sun

[Santinka]

 

[Santinka]

You Killed The Sun
by ~Silly Little Kitsune~

I stood before my parents in utter shock as they gave me two of the vilest choices that I would ever have to face.
"You can get married now or you can go to England to study and then get married upon your return."
What kind of choice was that? Either way I was going to be forced into a marriage with some lowly Prince that I have never heard of, nor care to hear of.
I sighed and sat on the pile of luggage my parents had the servants pack for my leave, if I chose to do so. I looked down at my wrist where an engraving of my family's symbol lay. I loved my parents dearly and there was no doubt in my mind that they loved me as well. However, this was completely unacceptable. I knew that I was going to marry a stranger from the moment I realized who I was and what my duties would be, but even so, I do not want to get married!
"England," I said quickly and bluntly in my deep, yet feminine, voice as I watched my parents grin. My father pulled me into a hug and my mother stood idle with a proud smile on her dark face. "How long will I be gone for?" I asked as he pulled away from me. I did not like the idea leaving home but, if it would postpone this marriage until I am ready then I would do it.
"Just three years," My mother said softly. I loved her voice, it was like listening to an angel. She always made the most painful situations relaxing. "We'll write you every week." She said taking my hand. I looked at the tattoo of her and my father's family symbol. I too would have the symbol of the man I marry forever imprinted on my skin.
"Load Kaylani's things and get Danti while your at it," My dad ordered a servant girl and waved her off. She quickly ran out of the room and soon in her place was a tall, dark man with mischief in his eyes. I smiled widely as I ran over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I knew she'd like Danti to come." My father whispered behind me.
"Kaylani, I get to be in charge," Danti said in a deep rough voice as he pulled my arms off of him. "So, you have to give me some respect." I arched a brow. "Especially around your parents," He whispered with a wink when my parents were not looking. I let out a short laugh as I gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. Danti and I have been friends since we were children. He was only a few years older than me, but my father trusted him enough to take care of me while in England.
"You being responsible," I quickly stopped as I looked back at my lurking parents. Danti and I both shot them a smile and watched as they left us alone. "Is a hard thing to believe," I whispered looking up at him as I felt his hand on my shoulder. I had to admit, I did like him as more than just a friend, though I could never say that. Not while anyone with contact with my parents was in ear shot. "How did you get him to let you go?" I asked after thinking about his history with responsibility. As close as we were, he wasn't very trustworthy. He killed any pet I let him take care of in less than a day.
"I went to war, remember? And I kept everyone alive." He said with pride written all over his face. He was one of my father’s best soldiers.
"How can I forget?" I said leaning on him like he was a wall. He knew my feelings toward him, but he never spoke any toward me. Not aloud anyway. "You were gone for so long I wasn't sure if you'd come back alive." I sighed as he wrapped an arm around my waist. He used his other hand to maneuver around the knot made by the wrap on my head. My hair was fairly short underneath but, my mother always said that royalty never let their hair out.
"I know," He said with a little anger in his voice. "How can you have such little faith in me?" He whispered in my ear as I felt his warm lips touch my cheek. I pulled away and turned to face him, then our lips met.
"Too bad we can't stay in England forever." I said softly, pulling away just enough for our lips to part. "I won’t have to marry some stranger." I could hear footsteps coming up the hall and we quickly parted. "And we wouldn't have to hide," I whispered as I watched about ten servants come into my room and take my bags out to the jeep that would take us to the sea port.
"We don't have to now," he whispered for my ears only and I felt a wandering hand. I spun around and punched him in the chest with a dark glare in my eyes. "I was just kidding," He laughed backing away with his arms up as a sign of surrender. "I know that your dad would have my head if he knew about us." Danti said, knowing his place.
"Kaylani, look at what I found!" my mother said cheerfully as she brought in an outfit. It looked like something Americans wore. It was a short jean skirt with a leather belt and what looked like a bleach-stained t-shirt. I blinked. "And look!" She pulled out a white box with a pair of black mid-thigh leather boots in it. "Cute, right?" She asked cheerfully.
"I'd look like a slut." I muttered as my eyes went from the boots to her.
"Who said they were for you?" my mother chimed, grabbing the clothes and setting down another pile with a box on top. "Those are for you," she said, and I couldn't help but laugh. Not at the clothes, but her for wanting to wear them. I looked down at the variety of shirts, skirts, and jeans. They all looked normal in my eyes. I looked at the sandals, sneakers, and winter boots and smiled.
"Thanks mom." I smiled as I hugged her.
"Oh, and Danti." She looked over my shoulder, at him as he stood silently. "I got you something too." She bent down and picked up a shopping bag and handed it to him.
"Oh, no, I cannot accept anything from you, milady." He said respectfully but, my mother insisted and he shyly took the bag.
"Open it." My mother ordered and Danti obeyed. He pulled out a very expensive pair of shoes and hat.
"I really can't except these," he said shaking his head and putting them back in the bag.
"No, keep them as a thank you for taking care of Kaylani." She said waving off his effort to return the gift.
"Thank you." He smiled widely as he gave two quick bows. There was a loud horn from the jeep outside and I felt something catch in my throat.
"Aw . . ." my mother sighed. "I guess it is time for you two to go," she whispered as she wrapped her arms around us both in an awkward hug. She kissed us both on the forehead and walked with us to the jeep. "Bye, Kaylani! Bye Danti!" My mother shouted as my dad waved silently and we got into the car. I waved bye to my parents and almost as soon as the doors were closed we began to drive up the dirt road and out of the quiet village my family ruled.

~*~


"Milady," A man said as he offered to aid me to the ship, however, Danti was quick to take his place with force. I held back a laugh and took his large hand and we walked to the ship together with a few other guards, which my parents thought I needed, close behind.
"We've got three years together." Danti chimed as we walked to the ship's stern and overlooked the ocean. "What do you want to do first?" A sly smile crept on his lips as he leaned down to kiss me, but I quickly stopped him.
"Did you forget?" I asked, eyeing the guards who stood near by with wireless cell phones in their ears, waiting to call my father and tell him something was wrong. "How about we just watch the sunset until we can be alone," I said softly and I heard Danti sigh disappointedly. Well, life sucks but I want him to stay alive, and in order for him to stay alive he could not get on my father’s bad side. Not because of me anyway. "Look!" I smiled as the ship began to pull away from the port and everyone got out their final good-byes before most of the people descended into the ship's hold, where the cabins were.
"You look so beautiful in this light." I heard Danti from behind me. "No," I turned and saw that we were alone. "You look more beautiful." He smiled as I walked into his open arms and gave him a loving kiss that lasted for, what felt like, forever.
"I wish we didn't have to hide . . ." I whispered as I buried my face into his chest as the realization of never being with him, after we returned from England, settled in. I felt his gentle hand on my back and I began to cry.
"I wish we didn't either." He whispered as we stood their in each others arms until we heard someone open the door to the hold. I turned and wiped away my tears as I heard someone speak.
"Milady, would you please grace the Captain with your presence for dinner?" A red-haired man asked as I forced a smile and gave him a nod. He bowed and offered his arm to me. I glanced at Danti, who just looked away, and then took his arm and he led me down into the ship's hold.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Princess Kaylani," a man, who I assumed was the captain, said as he stood from the far end of the table. The few people around the table stood and clapped and I simply greeted them and took my seat. I was never one to be praised. It bothered me all the time, and Danti knew it. He sat in the seat on my right side, while the Captain sat on my left. We were served, and that was the beginning of a very awkward evening.
"So, when do you plan on returning to Africa?" A man asked me oddly casual compared to the rest at the table. I did not mind though.
"Three years." I said before taking a sip of wine.
"So, what are you going to study?" He asked, and I arched a brow.
"Law, and . . ." Danti tapped my side and whispered something into my ear. "Would you please excuse us." I said as we stood, bowed, and left. "What happened?" I asked once we were back on deck.
"Nothing." Danti smiled and I frowned. He told me he had an important call from my dad. "Don't make that face, you know you didn't want to be in there either."
He must be a mind reader. I gave a small smile as I took his hand and we walked around the ship in silence, but it wasn't awkward, it was relaxing. "Look at the moon."
"It's beautiful." I said in awe as we looked up at the full moon that seemed just out of arms’ reach. I still reached out to it, only to feel Danti's warm embrace from behind and his soft lips on my neck. I closed my eyes and tilted my head as we stood in silence. "What's that?" I asked softly as I spotted something in the distance.
"What?" Danti asked halfhearted as he nibbled on my neck.
"That." I pointed to something just out of the moonlight. I tapped Danti and forced him to look up.
"Uh . . . looks like a ship." He said quickly as he began to kiss my jaw line. I gave a short laugh as I turned and brought his lips to mine. I heard a whistle and at first I thought it was someone on the ship, but then the ship began to shake violently sending us to the floor. "What the hell?" Danti lifted me off of him as he stood and looked over the railing. He then turned and swept me into his arms before dashing to the Captains quarters. "We're being attacked!" he yelled before running back to the ship's deck, with me still in his arms.
"They look like pirates . . ." The Captain said as he brought a walkie-talkie to his mouth. "Speed us up. Take us to the nearest dock." He commanded before he headed into the hold to warn everyone.
"Pirates?" I squirmed out of Danti's arms and looked out into the sea but saw nothing. It was almost as if the ship had vanished. I turned and saw the barrel of a seventeenth century cannon aimed at my face and I froze. I was then tackled to the ground as the explosion nearly burst my ear drums.
"Are you all right?" Danti asked, worry covering his face. I gave a nod and he picked me up and began to run to the other side of the ship where the life boats were. I watched with horror as around twenty men boarded the ship, then another twenty, and another. They just kept coming.
"Danti!" I cried as one began to follow us. "They're coming!" I warned and I felt him pick up speed. I looked at the pale man behind us, and his entire expression was hunger. I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to steady my sudden rapid breathing. "Danti!" I screamed as he threw me into a life boat and turned pulling out a gun and firing at the man behind him. The man froze, looked down at the wound, and then jumped onto Danti. My eyes widened when I saw him sink his teeth into Danti's neck. I looked around frantically and picked up an oar. I climbed out of the boat and began to beat the man until it broke on his back. I looked down at Danti's lifeless body and began to shake as the man approached me unharmed. I tried to side step but I felt something knock the wind out of me and all was black.

~*~


I could hear the sound of waves crashing against the hull of the ship and the creaking of old wood. But, that wasn't right, the ship I was on was made of steel. I forced one eye opened and looked around a nice room with a strange smell. I wrinkled my nose as I tried to remember what happened. "Danti . . ." I felt tears run down my cheeks when the image of his body covered in blood popped into my memory.
I jumped off of the bed I was laying on and nearly tripped over my dress. What? I wasn't wearing a dress. I looked down at the old English dress I had on. The bodice wasn't tight enough, that was why I had not noticed it, but when did I put it on? I looked around for my clothes, but after finding nothing, I just tightened the bodice and walked to the door, only to find it locked. I kicked at the door with my bare feet. Surely someone would hear me and open it! I heard footsteps walk past and ignore me. I let out an ear piercing scream and heard the footsteps speed up. I growled and shook the knob harder, hoping for it to fall off.
"Shut up!" A ruff voice yelled and I heard a loud thump on the door.
"Let me out!" I yelled back kicking the door again. I began to punch the door when I received no response, and soon found myself swinging at air when the door was suddenly pulled open. Then a blond-haired man grabbed my flying fist and bound them with a rope. I tried to kick but he punched me in the gut, knocking the wind out of me. Then he swung me over his shoulder and walked onto the deck. All the while, I was kicking and screaming. He threw me on the floor and I spat at him. He growled and stormed away without a word. I looked around at the men walking around the boat in tattered clothes and worn shoes. I looked at the night sky and saw no moon. I huffed as I tried to force myself to my feet, only to see a hand thrust into my view. I looked up at a nicely dressed olive skin man with smirk on his lips and a very clean cut mustache. I sneered and knocked his hand away.
"Now, don't be that way." He said softly in a very soothingly accented voice, "After all," He paused to grab my bound hands and pull me to my feet with ease. "A princess should have better manners then that." He said as he placed his filthy hand under my chin.
I was sure to jerk away quickly. "What happened to Danti? Who are you? Where am I?" I demanded answers from this man.
"Don't know or care. My name is A-" He put his hand to his chin as he seemed to ponder his own name. He gave me a confused look, and then his smirk returned. "Just call me Captain Will. As for where you are." He turned around. "This is my ship. I call her Jahna, or She Devil." He said and I wrinkled my nose in discomfort. He turned back and looked at my face for a while. I just sent a glare into his aqua eyes. "Don't make that face." He ordered and my jaw dropped. How dare he order me around like that?
"Take me home!" I ordered right back and watched him laugh at me and then he took my arm roughly. "Release me you, you pirate!" I shouted and watched him freeze. He turned to me quickly and smiled a childish smile.
"So, you think I look like a pirate?" He asked before popping the collar on his jacket. "Thank you." He said with a cocky smile as he took hold of my arm again. "Come with me to dinner." He demanded.
"I'm not eating anything you give me," I said in a bratty tone.
"Who said anything about feeding you?" He watched me out of the corner of his eye as he pulled me down into his quarters. He slammed me against the wall after closing and locking the door.
"What are you going to do to me?" I asked, my voice a little shaky. He didn't say a word as he looked into my eyes. Soon I would find myself lost in his aqua gaze. A small smile curled on my lips when his cold lips touched my neck. "What . . ." I closed my eyes as I felt his cool breath on my neck then a slight pain as his teeth sank into my flesh. "Stop . . ." I could not resist, I did not want too. Why? I winced when he pushed his body against mine and bit down harder. "Stop . . ." I whispered. "Stop." My voice was a little louder. "Stop!" I screamed as I pushed him away from me. I took slow deep breaths as I watched him lick my blood off of his lips. "What are you?" I asked as he approached me again. I felt his cold tongue on my neck and I pushed him again. "Get away from me!" I screamed.
"Fresh blood is always better." He whispered as he licked his lips, savoring the flavor of my blood. I held back the urge to vomit and fought with the ropes on my wrist. "Shame you'll only last two feedings." He laughed as he grabbed my arm and forced me out of the room and back to the one I woke up in.
"Let me out!" I screamed beating on the door, but I had to stop. I felt weak. "How much blood did that b*****d take?" I asked myself as I lifted my bound hands to my neck and felt two small cuts. "Is he a vampire?" I whispered as I felt myself drifting off. "Danti . . . I need you . . ." I whispered as I slumped against the door and fell into a deep sleep.

~*~


I awoke alone and cold in the room, still slumped against the door. I managed to crawl over to the sharp corner of a table and cut through the rope, then I picked the lock to the door and ran out into the quiet ship. I looked around slowly; a little scared at the silence. Then I walked onto the deck and winced at the bright sunshine. I smiled and walked to the wheel of the ship and saw that it was steering itself. There was no one anywhere to be found. I looked out into the ocean and saw nothing.
"What?" I walked broadside and looked over into the sparkling blue water and let a lone tear fall. Why did Danti have to die . . . because of me? I closed my eyes for a moment, then I began to look around for a life boat and found none. I groaned and walked back into the ship's hold in hope to find, at the very least, some movable clothing. I opened various doors and found nothing but sleeping men. I opened one and saw some tattered clothes. I grabbed a pair of pants that were about my size and ripped the skirt of the dress off before putting the pants on. I then searched for a kitchen, though if everyone was like the Captain then they probably wouldn't have anything to eat that's already dead.
They didn't. I made my way back to the deck and sat near the wheel. I cuffed the pants and pulled my knees to my chest before closing my eyes and praying for this nightmare to end. I felt something warm and wet on my hand and when I looked I saw a large Dalmatian licking it. I gave him a weak smile before petting him. I let my legs drop and he laid his head on my lap. "You're cute." I smiled as I scratched his belly. "I bet they treat you better then they treat me." I sighed, looking over at the horizon as the sun slowly began to set, making the sky and sea turn orange and pink.
"Beautiful . . . isn't it?" I heard a smooth voice say and I gave a soft sigh before jumping violently, scaring the dog in my lap as I looked at the Captain, then everything went dark instantly. The sunset vanished into thin air.
"What the hell?" I shouted as I looked around trying to get my eyes used to the sudden darkness. "What did you do to the sun?" I asked as I winced to see him.
"Nothing," he said with a small laugh before offering me a hand. I slapped it away and pushed myself up off of the ground. I looked down at the dog as he ran over to the Captain's side. "I see you've met Soni." He said knelling down and letting the dog give him wet kisses.
"What the hell are you?" I asked my voice low and dark as I shot a deadly glare at him.
"Oh," I saw him shiver. "Remind me to piss her off more often," he said to Soni. "I'm one with the night," he said to answer my question. Well, not really. "A vampire if you will."
I gave him a slow nod, but I was still angry.
"And unlike my crew, who fears the sun, the sun fears me. Fleeing at the very sight of, me." He looked into my eyes as if he were reading my soul like a book.
"Your crew killed my friend," I hissed at him and watched him shiver again.
"I might keep you alive a little longer . . ." he muttered to himself. "So?" He paused when he saw tears in my eyes. "Everyone dies eventually." He looked at Soni. "But not me, huh boy?" he asked in a baby voice as Soni barked and wagged his tall happily in response.
"Damn you," I cried as I dropped to my knees and let my tears fall free, and Soni ran up to me and licked my face. I pushed him away gently, but when I heard him whine I hugged him. "At least you're not like your master." I whispered to him as his licked my face. "You care about my feelings." I said as he laid his head in my lap.
"Aw . . . he likes you," Will, said with a fake pout as he grabbed Soni by the ruff of his neck and pulled him away from me.
"Hey!" I hissed at Will as he eyed me. I stood and pushed him as hard as I could, but he didn't budge. "Just kill me now and get it over with, okay!" I said as he arched a brow. I tilted my head to expose my neck and I stood like that. "Finish me off."
"No way," he said with a laugh and I jerked my head at him. "You just got a whole lot more interesting, Princess," he said before walking back into the ship’s hold. No sooner did he leave did the sunset returned.
"That b*****d . . ." I whispered with a clenched fist.

~*~


"Get to work, Princess!" The first mate yelled at me as I leaned over the railing looking into the star filled sea.
"Now!" He ordered and I gave a slow sigh.
"I don't take orders."
If they wanted to call me Princess then I'd act like one. "Especially from the likes of you." I turned my head slightly to see him baring his fangs at me. I rolled my eyes and secretly wished for him to bite me. But he wouldn't. Will wanted to keep me alive, so none of the crew dared to touch me or to stay around me long enough to get mad enough to want to bite me.
I heard him stomp away and I sighed and slid over the railing, thinking about jumping. It's been nearly a week already and I almost never see the light of day. I just sit and wait for death to take me, though it moves slow and silent. I did manage to ask why I hadn't become a vampire like the rest of the crew. My answer, however, was an irritatingly simple, "I don't want you to be like us" from Will.
"He's such an a** . . ." I whispered, throwing a piece of glass into the ocean. " . . . jerk . . ." I muttered as a pod of dolphins swam besides the ship. ". . . b*****d . . ." I dropped a small rock, "I just want to kill him . . ." I punched the side of the ship.
"Aw, didn't know you cared so much," Will said, startling me and making me slide over the rail. "You can't die that easy," he said as he grabbed my leg and tossed me into the air, then caught me and held me like a baby. "Did I scare you?" he asked with a laugh as I tried to catch my breath and slow my heart. I then squirmed out of his arms and shot him a glare.
"What do you want?" I asked not really caring, but just to make him talk and leave.
"I want you to work." He said as he tossed a mop at me. "No one gets a free ride. Not even pets." He pointed to Soni, who was pulling on a rope that was attached to the mast.
Wait . . . did he just call me a pet?
"Hold on," I threw the mop on the ground and walked up to him. He watched me with bored eyes that grew wide with amusement when I grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and pulled him to my eye level. "I'm not your pet, or toy or whatever!" I growled and he clutched my fist. I didn't care if he was directing that comment at me or not, I needed someone to yell at. "You will NOT treat me as such!" I screamed as he plucked my hands off of him and stood at his full height.
"Calm down, Princess," he said as I tried to pull my hands out of his grip.
"Do I look like a toy you can play with!?" I glared at him as I struggled to get away. "You've taken everything from me!" My legs grew weak. "My family . . ." I whispered as I hit his chest weakly and tears dared to fall. ". . . my boyfriend . . . my best friend . . ." He released me and I buried my face into his chest. He didn't push me away or say a word. He just let me cry.
"Get to work, Princess," Will whispered softly and gently as he pulled me off of him. I kept my head down as I wiped my tears on my arm, then I turned to grab the mop and I felt his cold breath on my ear. "For the record," I felt chills run down my spine when he spoke. "I don't think of you as a pet," he paused, "or a toy. Now." I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Get to work, love," he finished as he backed away. I turned my head but he was gone.
What was that feeling? I questioned myself as I picked up the mop, and made my way to the bucket of sea water mixed with soap. I paused and looked down at the mop in my hands. "That b*****d!" I cursed as I slammed the mop on the floor. He must have charmed me or something. No, he is not charming. Handsome, yes, charming, no. I looked around at the hard-at-work crew members, then up at the moonlit sky and sighed. "Is this my new life?" I questioned God, if he existed. I looked down at my feet and slowly crouched down to the mop. I had nothing better to do. I picked it up and dipped it in the bucket before attempting to mop the deck. I had never mopped before, but I have seen it done and so I made small circles across the deck trying to make it clean.
"You kind of suck." A small albino looking boy said as he leaned over a mop besides me.
"Yeah? Well no one asked for your opinion," I said smugly as I continued to mop. He just stood besides me and mopped silently. He looked like a twelve-year-old, but he could be hundreds of years old for all I knew.
"The Captain has taken a liking to you," he said out of nowhere. I just ignored him. "He's already killed five of his crew for saying ill things about you." He said and I stopped and gave a shallow sigh.
"So? He still treats me like crap, and took everything I cared about away from me," I hissed at the boy, making him step back in shock. I huffed and squeezed the handle of the mop. "Besides. Liking him would be a direct betrayal to my love," I said softly as I began to mop the floor violently, so that I could take my mind off of my tears that threatened to fall.
"Perk up big sis, at least you don't have to hide from the sun," the boy said with a smile, only to receive a dark glare from me.
"I am not your sister." I hissed at him. "You are what my people would call, nag dier." I spat before turning on my heels and walking to the hold.
"Wait!" The boy ran after me. "What does that mean?" He called, but I ignored him. I walked to the room I had first awoken in. Will had given it to me. He said it was either this or a room full of musty vampires. I closed my door and sat on my bed, making a loud squeak. I fell back and closed my eyes.
"Procrastination is bad." I told myself, making a mental note for next time I get the option to get something over and done with, or procrastinate for three years. "Shouldn't you be doing something?" I asked as I heard the door creak open. I sat up and looked at Will as he leaned in the doorway.
"I am," He walked in and stood in front of me. I stood and arched a brow. "But who told you to take a break?" He asked leaning in close to me.
"I did," I said crossing my arms. "Your little trick wont work anymore either." I said lifting my head to see his face better.
"What trick?" he asked with a brow raised and his head tilted to his side.
"Don't play dumb," I said and he shot me a confused look. "The way you make me do whatever you say," I said point at him with an accusing finger.
"As much as I would like to take credit for that." He pushed my hand away. "I have not charmed you since I drank your blood," he said with a small smirk.
"How can I believe you?"
"You can't."
"Get out." I said in a low voice.
"This is my ship remember?" He grabbed my shoulders tightly and opened his mouth before rushing toward my neck. I closed my eyes and waited for his bite, but it never came. Instead I felt his icy lips on my neck and my breath catch in my throat.
"Let me go," I said through clenched teeth. I could feel his fangs rub against my skin. "Let me go." He pulled away from my neck but he did not release me.
"Fresh blood." He whispered, more to himself. One of his hands came up to my neck, sending chills down my spine. I took a breath and knocked away both of his hands.
"Don't touch me!" I growled as I tried to back away from him, however the bed was in the way and I fell back onto it. He quickly pounced on me and if I hadn't put up my hands, he would have bit me. "Get away!" I screamed as he bared his long sharp fangs at me.
"Silence!" He ordered glaring into my eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat as his eyes softened and my body grew weak. I let my hands fall to my side as he brought his mouth to my neck. When his fangs broke through my skin I let out a weak gasp. I could not move my body, but with all of my strength I forced one of my hands up to the bare skin on his neck and dug my nails into it making him jerk away from me.
"Damn!" he hissed as he reached down wrapped his hands around my throat. "You little b***h!" He said and made a sound no human could. I looked into his now crimson eyes and struggled against his inhuman grip.
"Danti . . ." I cried as I closed my eyes to fight the tears. He squeezed my throat tighter and I began to gasp for air. "Captain . . ." I choked. I wasn't ready to die. Danti gave his life for me. I was going to live. Even if this b*****d tried to take my life. "Will . . ."
He froze when I said his name. I stared at his eyes as the crimson was washed away and replaced by that beautiful aqua. He pulled his hand away quickly and I took a deep gasping breath. He did not say a word. Just stood and left. I sat up and felt my body shaking. When his eyes changed, I could have sworn I saw a look of worry. Was it for me though, or himself?

~*~  

[Santinka]

"Here you are, Princess," Will said as he shoved a pistol into my hands. "Take anything worth-" He stopped when I pulled the trigger at his heart. "Damn . . ." he whispered looking down at the blood on his suit. "This was new." He sighed as the bullet popped out of the hole it originally made. He shook his head and looked back into my stunned eyes. "What?" A small smile came onto his lips. "Did you really think I'd give you something that could hurt me?" he asked with a short laugh. "You never cease to amaze me." He chuckled before looking over my shoulder at the speck that was to be his next target. "Take anything worth keeping. And don't try to get help; everyone on that ship will die. That gun is for your own protection," he said with a small nod.
"What if I just do this?" I asked putting the gun to my head.
"Then I will make you like us," he said as he flashed his fangs.
"I hate you," I muttered. I surely didn't want to become a vampire. I tucked the gun into my belt and waited for the sun to truly go down. I had been on this ship for just over a month, and I haven't had anything other then fish and beer to keep me alive. It wasn't like it was in short supply either. The only ones who even ate the fish were me and Soni...though by the time we got to the fish they had all their blood drained and were normally half eaten. Soni didn't care, but I did. I had to learn how to catch my own fish and cook them on the never-before-used, stove.
I have not spoken with the captain much after he tried to kill me...or rather, he hasn't spoken to me. We only seemed to talk about pirate business and how interesting or foolish I was. I have tried many times to kill him, but he just always seemed to be one step ahead of me.
This was not the first ship they had attacked but, this was the first they wanted me to attack with them. I guess I had gotten use to this life. I do the work, I join the parties, and I have even made a few friends after I drove a sword through the heart of the vampire that killed Danti. When I killed that vampire a great weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I accepted being a pirate a whole lot easier.
"Speed 'er up!" Will bellowed, and before I could blink we were pulling up beside the silent ship. "Get ready!"
I watched as everyone scrambled to their stations and one of the men handed me a rope.
"Fire!"
They shot off a round of old seventeenth century cannons.
"Fire!"
They shot another round, then Will grabbed onto a rope. "Ready?" He looked down at me with curious eyes as I tried to calm my sudden nerves.
"No," I whispered, looking at the ship as people began to fill the deck. "No." I looked up at Will and he smirked before wrapping an arm around my waist and jumping over the railing. I griped his jacket tightly and tried not to scream.
"Stay close," he said as we landed on the steel ship. "Leave no witnesses!" he shouted as his crew flooded the ship and began to feed. I brought my hands to my eyes as the sound of screams and gun shots filled the night.
"Too much for you, Princess?" Will asked, pulling my hands from my eyes.
"Take me back to the ship!" I ordered glaring at him with tear filled eyes.
"Not before I feed," he said coldly as his eyes turned crimson and he walked past me toward large spiraled pile of ropes. I watched in horror as he reached into the pile and pulled out a woman by her hair. She began to scream and swing her arms and legs at him. He lowered her to the floor and stared into her eyes sweetly. The girl then smiled warmly at him and for a moment I thought they were going to kiss, but instead Will sank his fangs into her neck without hesitation and drank her blood until her body fell limp to the floor. Will frowned at her and spat near her head. "I need the blood of a virgin . . ." He muttered to himself as he looked at a group of people who tried to sneak into the lifeboat.
"Look out!" I cried without warning and the people looked at me, then quickly dove into the lifeboat and lowered themselves into the sea. I took slow steady breaths when I lost sight of Will.
"Whose side are you on?" Will appeared behind me rattling my already shaken nerves.
"The living," I said fearfully, though I was trying to be tough. Will growled and grabbed my hair that was pulled into a single braid.
"If you will not kill, then do not interfere!" he hissed, bringing my neck to his mouth, and when I thought he was going to suck me dry, he threw me into a guard rail. With that he vanished, while everyone else slowly headed back to the ship. I just sat there, in hope that they'd just leave me behind.
"Come on, Princess," the pale boy, whose name I learned was Saamon, said as he offered a hand to me. I sighed and took it, and we swung back onto the ship. "Are you all right?" Saamon asked, looking at me, his face covered in blood.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," I muttered as I forced a smile.
"Are you sure? The Captain was pretty upset," he said a little worried.
"Just because he's mad doesn't mean anything is wrong with me!" I shouted and stomped away from him. "Why does he have to make it seem like that b*****d has an effect on me?" I grumbled as I slammed open the door to my room. I walked to my bed and spotted something on it. "Hmm . . ."
It was a huge duffle bag. I opened it and saw a ton of clothes. "Wow." I gasped. "And they're from this century too!" I smiled as I held up a shirt. I looked over and spotted another bag. I opened it and found tons of food. Real food, most of it in a can or prepackaged. "Who?" I paused when I saw a golden ribbon on my pillow. I quickly grabbed my braid and saw that half of it had already come lose. It was usually held by that ribbon, but Will must have pulled it off when he grabbed me. "That a*****e . . ." I whispered with an involuntary smile. I braided my hair back and picked up the ribbon, before tying it on the end of the braid. Then I pulled out a pair of jeans that I could fit and a slightly too big shirt, then I quickly changed. There were even bras my size in the bag. I did not want to know how he knew my bra size. I grabbed a bag of cookies and a bag of beef jerky then walked out of the room.
"Soni!" I called and gave a whistle. "Here boy!" I called as I saw his happy form running down the hall. "Look at what your daddy got." I said kneeling down and opening the bag of jerky and fed it to him. "Much better then fish, huh?" He licked my face then stopped and began to whimper. He slowly backed away from me, his eyes focused on something behind me. "What do you want?" I asked not bothering to look as I grabbed the jerky packaging and stood.
"I want to get past." I heard Will's voice, however, it did not have its normal softness. It was colder and meaner. I just stepped to the side and let him brush past in his new suit.
"Thank you," I chimed and watched him stop. "For the clothes and food." I added and he continued to walk. I felt a little bad for ruining his meal, no matter how gross it was. "Wait!" I ran after him and walked besides him. "Look, Captain, I'm sorry for . . ." I looked up into his still crimson eyes. "Ruining your . . ." I looked away from him. ". . . feeding. . ." I said softly and I glanced up at him and saw his eyes on me.
"You didn't ruin anything." He said slowly as his eyes returned to their normal color.
"Oh . . ." I looked down. "I just thought . . . because . . ." He stopped walking and I stopped a couple steps in front of him.
"Listen," He paused, and I turned to face him, "it's just harder to stay in control when I'm hungry." He brought his hand to my chin and let it drift down to my neck. "And having such a lovely temptation, such as yourself doesn't help the cause," he said before dropping his hand and walking past me and onto the deck. I swallowed a lump in my throat and turned around only to see the crew working, not caring about the dried blood on their skin and clothes, and Will nowhere in sight. I sighed and walked onto the deck and grabbed a rope to the main mast and helped to lower it.
So now I’m lovely? I wondered as I handed the rope off to a waiting man who tied it down to the mast. I walked to the ship’s rear and looked up at the star filled sky while leaning on the rail. I had not seen the sun in so long . . . I have not felt its warmth . . . seen a shadow that I was sure was mine . . .
Eternal darkness sucked. I could just stay up until the guys fell asleep but, by the time Will slept, I was too tired to stay up to catch the sun.
"We'll be pulling into port for some supplies soon." I heard Will say as he leaned on the rail besides me. "Will you be joining us?" He asked trying to make eye contact but, I would not allow it. I did not want to feel his charm.
"What's the point? It's not like I can go anywhere or do anything." I sighed and pushed off of the railing. "Besides, it's not like you need me for anything."
"I was just checking to see if you wanted to go to the party with the crew and I," he said with a shrug as he walked past me.
"What party?"
I could almost feel his smirk as he stopped and turned to face me.
"At this time of the year the locals always have a celebration, and we always come for the feast," he said with a wink. I gave a sigh and turned around, not wanting to see anymore blood shed. "Don't worry, Princess." I heard him walking away. "It won’t be a blood bath," he tried to assure me as he went to the wheel.
"Hey!" I called after him. "I'll go!" I could feel his smile. I didn't know why I wanted to go so badly. I was not really social and it was not like I could get away with the entire crew being able to hunt me down in a matter of seconds upon my disappearance. Yes, I have tried to get away. I have jumped on passing ships while they were asleep, I have tried to radio with some junk they brought back and they always caught me.

~*~

"Having fun, Princess?" Will whispered in my ear while I was learning a dance from some of the local girls. We had landed on some island in the Atlantic that was having a festival. It was actually really fun.
"I am actually." I stopped dancing and turned to face him. "What about you?" I asked with a smile.
"Plenty. Do you-" He was cut off by a girl who pulled him to the fire where more people were dancing and having fun. I watched him dance with her and I felt something that I have not felt since I was back home.
I continued my lesson, though I couldn't take my eyes off of them. She was dancing so close to him, as if she owned him. I quickly shook my head and looked away, but my curiosity drew me back. "What?" I gasped when I saw them kissing. My eyes grew as wide as they could and then narrowed into a deadly glare. I think he felt it because he looked directly at me. I sneered and ran off into the small village. I wanted to get away from him. I did not know why I cared so much. I went into a small alley and came to a tall wooden fence and pounded my fist on it.
"Damn . . ." I sighed as I rested my forehead on it. "Leave me alone!" I screamed when I heard someone coming into the alley. I did not want to see anyone. "Just go away!" I said sliding down the fence and to my knees. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and quickly knocked it away. I knew who it was, and he had some nerve coming to see me.
"What's the matter?" Will asked softly.
"Don't talk to me." I whispered and he grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.
"Then talk to me, Kaylani." He kneeled down to my level. That was the first time I heard him say my name. I blinked and fought back the urge to punch him and cry. I forced myself to look away from him. "Just for the record," He placed a gentle hand under my chin and turned my head to look at him. "I killed that girl." For some strange reason, that felt like the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I let my tears fall as a weak smile curl on my lips.
"Really?" I asked as his hand caressed the side of my face and I leaned into it.
"Really, humans are only food to me."
I frowned.
"Except you." He pulled his hand away and smiled at me. "Ever since the night I saw you," he leaned in close to me and I felt my breath catch in my throat once again, "I knew there was something special about you." He whispered softly and before I knew it his lips connected with mine. I felt my entire body grow hot and my eyes grew wide. He pulled away with a smile and stood to his full height. He then offered me his hand. I took it and we slowly made our way back to the dock where the small rowboat we used bobbed up and down in the dark water. I took a deep breath as we stood, looking out at the ship in the distance. It looked so quiet, abandoned, and almost . . . peaceful. I felt Will shift and then I could hear a quiet humming sound.
“What is that?” I asked as he dropped my hand and reached into his pocket to pull out a vibrating cell phone. I arched a brow and took a small step away from him. I did not want to get into his personal business and I did not know he carried a cell phone. That was a little weird. I guess I never thought a pirate or vampire would have a need for one. He looked at the caller ID and his eyes grew wide and almost fearful. He turned around toward the village and in an instant he was gone. I blinked and looked around. “How does he do that?” I shook my head and sat down with my legs crossed on the dock and contemplated what had happened between us.
Okay, so he kidnapped me and almost killed me, twice, he kissed some girl, and I got . . . I rolled my eyes and sighed. Jealous, no. Maybe I’ve just had to much to drink. I rubbed my temple as a small headache began to form. But when he apologized it felt so, so real, so sincere. I smiled and gave a soft sigh as I remembered the look in his eyes when he said my name. He looked worried, and for some reason that had made me mad. Something about him did not seem right. I stood and wrapped my arms around my body as a wind blew past. He’s too normal for someone who lives at sea . . . He was also too modern and polite for a pirate who runs that old bucket of kindling he called a ship.
“Sorry Princess . . .” I turned when I heard Will call me Princess. He had a look on his face that was almost apologetic and maybe even a little angry. “Lets keep this between you and me.” He said in his usual soft voice. “Just live and forget for now.”
“Wh-?” I felt my breath catch in my throat, but not because of nerves or emotions. It was really caught and I could not breathe. I quickly pulled my hands to my throat trying to remove the invisible hands that held on. Will walked up to me slowly and stood there with a blank stare while I suffocated. I reached my hand out and grabbed onto the collar of his jacket but as my body grew weaker, my grip also grew weaker.
“See you again . . . Kaylani.”
That was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.

~*~

I could hear a very annoying beep, beep, beep, along with soft whispers that sounded like they were directly over my head. I forced one of my eyes open and saw bright white walls in every direction and I quickly closed it with an uncomfortable grunt.
“She’s awake?” asked a high female voice with a British accent. “Princess Kaylani, if you can hear me, please say something,” she said with both concern and excitement in her voice.
“Can you turn off the lights please?” I groaned as I heard the woman, who I assumed was a nurse, because of the classic hospital smell of medicine and cleanliness.
“Of course!” The woman said and I heard her rush off, and then quickly return. I slowly opened both of my eyes and looked around the dimly lit room. I began to sit up but the nurse pushed me down gently and said, “please don’t move. You have been unconscious for four days, maybe more. That’s when we found you.” My eyes almost jumped out of their sockets when she said how long I’d been out for. I blinked and looked around the hospital room as I tried to remember what happened.
“Where am I?” I questioned as my eyes fell back on the nurse. “What’s today date?” I quickly added before she could answer my first question.
“You’re in London,” she said with a smile. I winced as all my memories flooded back into my mind. My parents sending me to London instead of getting married right away, Danti getting killed by a vampire, then me, getting kidnapped by vampires and then . . .
“Are you all right, milady?” she asked as I pulled my hand to my lips.
“Uh . . . yeah!” I snapped to attention and looked at her.
“It is Tuesday, July twenty-third, 2007.”
I blinked and sat up all the way.
“I’ve been gone for three months?!” I shouted, scaring the nurse. I did not mean to scare her, but that is a long time to be gone for. The ship to England only took a few weeks from central Africa.
“Um . . . would you like anything else, milady?” The nurse asked and snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Yes, um...may I use a phone please?” I asked and watched the nurse quickly run out of the room. “What happened . . .” I whispered to myself as the nurse returned with a wireless phone in hand. I quickly took the phone from her and asked her to leave. I called the operator and asked for my parents. “Hello?” I asked when the ringing stopped. “May I speak to Lady Isara?” I asked politely. “This is her daughter, Kaylani.” Then I quickly added something in my language to confirm my identity and was put on hold. “Mom?” I asked when I heard her voice. It sounded so strained and quiet. “Yes, it’s me . . .” I could hear her sobbing. “No, I’m fine.” I felt a tear roll down my cheek as she told me that she had learned of the attack on the ship a few weeks ago. “No, Danti . . . did not make it...” I used the white hospital blanket to wipe away my tears. “Mom, don’t cry . . .” My voice was straining, but I tried to stay strong, for her sake. “I’m in London.” Then she began to sound relieved. “I can’t come home yet. . .” I looked down at my lap as she asked, why.
“Because . . .” I took a deep breath. “I’m not ready to grow up yet. Let me finish school,” I paused. “Then I’ll be ready. I promise,” I said, and we talked for another two hours. I managed to leave out all the details about the pirates and vampires, without raising suspicion.
I would leave the hospital and start my life over in England, just as my parents had wished for me to do in the first place. I would start a new life and make new friends, learn life lessons. I think it’s true, what they say. Time can heal all wounds, and they will heal mine, not that I can forget what happened to me. I just have so much more to live for.

End  

[Santinka]

About the Author

~Silly Little Kitsune~ has been writing since she was about thirteen. Her favorite cookies are chocolate chip, oatmeal and raisins, and peanut butter(“My mom makes the best!”) and her favorite soda is anything mixed with Sprite. She has a pet dragon named Aro, a cat named either Kiki or Demon, depending on the day, and a snake named Cream. Her three frogs are the Queen, the Jack, and the Joker. She loves to write and is currently working on her second novel.