Nine
1948 Words
Hours later, Gigi and her friends walk out of the movie theater.
"Shall we head to my house now?" Chachi asks, "My mom is dying to see Ash."
"Really?" Ash asks, shocked.
Kat smiles at him, "Oh yeah, you're all she talks about. When she's not talking about these two, that is." She points at Gigi and Geo rolling her eyes. "When she heard you were back in town, she would not let us sleep, she just kept screaming with excitement."
Ash gives them a big smile, "Lets go then, I haven't seen her in years."
"Wait here I'll pull up the car." Chachi says, running off.
Moments later, Chachi returns and drives everyone to his and Kat's place. They get out of the car and walk inside the large glass house. "Mom, we're home." Chachi calls out but no one responds. He winks at the group before shouting, "We brought Ash!" A small woman quickly runs out of the kitchen with a big smile and hugs Ash tightly.
"Ash!" the woman yells.
"That got her out," Kat chuckles. The others laugh with her.
"Mrs. Chidae, how are you?" Ash asks, welcoming her warm embrace.
"Ash darling, how many times have I told you to call me Shun?" she says, releasing him from the hug. "Its been years after all, lets drop the formalities shall we?"
"I'll try."
Shun looks at Geo and Gigi, her smile widening, a squeal leaves her lips, "If it isn't my favorite twins!" she gives them both a tight hug. Kat scoffs, "What about us?" Shun just gives her daughter a look before turning back to Geo and Gigi, "Now why haven't you two come around in over a month?"
Gigi shrugs, "We've been rather occupied with training lately. And with exams coming up, we haven't had much time for fun."
"Well that's too bad. I've been stuck with the two of them for far too long." she points at her children, they look at her with disbelief. Shun laughs, "Now come, I have dinner going."
"Mom you.. cooked?" Chachi asks, shocked. Kat crosses her arms over her chest, "What's the occasion?"
"Well I had a feeling you would be bringing Ash by so I decided to make his favorite dish." she says leading everyone into the living room.
“That's really nice of you Shun," Geo says nudging Ash.
"Mhm, now sit, I have a couple more things to prepare."
They all sit down on the couches while Shun walks into the kitchen. Geo pulls Kitty on top of him so that she is sitting in his lap, causing her to squeal. He buries his head in her neck, breathing in her scent.
"You better not bite me." she says sternly. Geo's fangs graze her skin, he smiles, "I can't make any promises, you smell too good," he whispers.
Ash looks around the house, "I haven't been here in so long, I almost forgot what it looked like."
"Not much has changed," Kat says.
“I'm confused.." Ash admits.
"About?"
"I thought vampires couldn't be exposed to the sun too much, but your house is basically made of glass. How is that?"
Gigi scoffs, "You're joking right?"
"You can't be serious dude? You've seen us in the sun everyday since we were kids, including today, and you're just asking about it now?" Chachi shakes his head.
"Honestly Ash, you're the most clueless person I've ever met." Geo says.
"Clueless isn't the word I'd use." Gigi rolls her eyes.
"Come guys I'm serious." Ash pleads.
"Oh we know you are," Gigi says with a laugh. Geo throws her a stern look, she puts her hands up as if surrendering then sits back and crosses her legs. "Sorry."
"Well how does it work?" Ash asks.
"We have protective charms, I guess you could say," Gigi answers. "They allow us to walk in the sun. They're kind of like tattoos."
Kat moves her hair to reveal a small white heart behind her ear. Geo lowers his shirt revealing a red arrow lining his collarbone. Chachi lifts his shirt, exposing a dagger on his rib cage. Gigi then flips her hand up showing a red arrow in the center of her palm.
"How did you get them?" Ash asks curiously.
"They were made from molten lava. A witch transformed the lava into ink, enchanting it to protect us from the sun." Kat says, uncertain. Geo nods his head.
"What do you mean by witch?" Ash questions.
Gigi shakes her head, "Wow." She looks at Geo, he smiles at her, amused, "Give him a break." Geo says through telepathy. "Believe me I'm trying, he just asks too many idiotic questions." she replies. Geo shrugs.
Gigi stands up and walks towards the kitchen. "I'm going to see if Shun needs help."
Chachi looks at Ash, "You've never heard of witches? You know like magic? Spells?"
"No I-I have.." he answers.
"We Hirarrah's have a family witch." Geo says, "We get a new one every few generations. Everytime Gigi gets a newborn, she takes them to Merci to get their daylight charms. She has to teach them to blend in with the humans so they need sun just as much as you do. There is no way she can do that if everyone is catching fire. Plus, without the sun we turn a sickly pale, it's not pretty."
"So why do people become vampires just to pretend to be human in the end?" Ash raises an eyebrow.
"Becoming a vampire isn't always somethings that's planned. Its quick and unexpected, it's not a choice." Geo says.
"I would hope not," Gigi says, returning to the living room, carrying a tray of cups and setting it down on the coffee table. She sits down next to Ash.
"Do you even know how vampires were created?'
"You sure are full of questions," Gigi sighs.
"I'm just curious.." Ash says.
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
“Gianna.”
She looks at her brother through her eyelashes. "All we know is that our parents were the first." She says, "They got lonely so my mom decided to try creating more of themselves so that's what they did. Though they didn't know that these new vampires would want to feed off humans, unlike them."
Geo nods, "It was a disaster. A lot of lives were lost."
"They eventually decided to creat laws that forbid them from killing the poor defenseless people. Every vampire has a deep connection with the Lord and Lady so it wasn't hard to get everyone to follow. My parents are feared above all in the vampire world, no one dared disrespect them. I mean, would you defy the one who created you?" Gigi asks.
"Not if it was you," Ash says, looking Gigi in the eyes. Their friends smile at them. Gigi's face turns red as she turns away, avoiding eye contact.
"Two in one day Ash? You've gotten bold," Kat laughs.
Shun walks into the living room carrying two trays with three plates each, "Whose hungry?" she sings.
"Not me," Gigi says.
"Me either," Geo agrees.
"More for us then, what is it?" Chachi says, rubbing his hands together.
"Sushi!"
"Yum," Kat and Chachi say in unison.
They eat and catch up with Shun for a while before Gigi looks at the time, "We should go." She looks at Geo. "It is Sunday huh? Are we late?" Gigi nods her head.
"I hope your father won't be too angry." Shun says worriedly.
"It'll be fine," Geo reassures.
Ash looks at them curiously, "What's so important about Sundays?"
"Nothing for us but for them?" Kat and Chachi shudder. "Just know that we don't go to their house on Sundays."
Gigi's phone begins to buzz, she stands up, "Rabi is here, it's time that I go." She walks towards the door and opens it. "Are you riding with me Geo or is Shou coming to get you?"
"Uh, she should be?"
"Does she even know you're here?"
"I hope so. She keeps a tracker on my phone, does Rabi not do the same?"
"No," she waves at Rabi, "we communicate like normal people do. He knows where I am at all times because I let him know. Unlike you and yours, me and my servant speak." The sound of another car pulling up fills Gigi's ears, she looks over her shoulder, outside. "Speaking of Shou, she's here."
Geo kisses Kat on the forehead before getting up and walking out the door, Chachi and Ash follow behind him. "Goodbye Shun!" he hollers over his shoulder.
Shun waves goodbye. Kat gets up from her seat and hugs Gigi. "Ash is trying you know? He only asked all these questions to feel closer to you. The least you can do is give him a chance."
Gigi just gives her a small smile before walking out. She looks at Chachi and lightly punches his arm, "Don't forget our deal, you're buying lunch tomorrow."
"s**t!"
Gigi chuckles and walks to her car, she see's that Geo hasn't left yet. "They aren't leaving?" she asks Rabi.
"They seem to be waiting for the younger masters friend, my lady."
"Ash? Where is he?" Rabi opens the back door for her, she gets in and is startled to see Ash sitting inside. "What are you doing?"
"Can you turn me?" Ash asks, not waisting any time.
"I.. uh wha.. what?" Gigi stammers.
"I asked Geo to do it, but he said he wouldn't and that you were the best person to talk to about this." Ash shrugs.
"He's absolutely right."
"So will you?" Ash pleads.
"Why? Why would you want that?" Gigi asks confused.
"You ask, but I'm certain you already know the answer." Gigi doesn't say anything, just stares at him, she did know the answer. "Do I really have to say it?" he asks. Ash leans forward and gently kisses Gigi on the lips. "I want to spend eternity with you Gianna." he says in a low tone, staring at her lips.
Gigi stares at him shocked, not knowing what to say. "Rabi.." she finally chokes out.
Rabi opens the door, "It appears that your time is up."
Ash hops out of the car and looks back at Gigi with a smile, "I'm serious, think about it okay?" Gigi hesitantly nods her head, Ash backs away from the car allowing Rabi to shut the door. He then proceeds to get in the drivers seat.
"Are you ready my lady?" Rabi asks.
"Yes.. lets go." She replies.
Gigi watches Ash wave everyone bye before hopping in Geo's car, as she and Rabi drive away. She touches her lips, still feeling the tingles of Ash's lips against hers. She bites her bottom lip and smiles but it is quickly replaced with a frown. Rabi looks at her through the rear view mirror.
"Are you alright princess?" he asks.
"Huh? Oh yes.. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? It seems as if you have something on your mind."
Gigi takes a deep breath, "There is actually."
"I'm all ears my lady."
"It's Ash.. he's.. not like the other humans. He's different and being with him feels different." Gigi looks down at the ring on her finger. "Sure he asks a lot of dumb questions, and he's clueless as hell," she chuckles. "but it's.. cute?" Gigi makes a face of uncertainty, "It sounds crazy right?"
Rabi smiles, "It sounds like you like him, your grace."
"You think so?" Gigi questions.
Rabi nods his head, "It seems your hatred for humans doesn't quite reach this one."
She rests her head on her wrist, looking out the window. "No.. I guess not," she sighs.
- Writer
