The Vampire's Apprentice (for JadeRulez123)
 

James ran as fast as he could within the forest, which was pretty fast considering his abilities. It was almost like a blur of movement as the fledgling sped through the woods, almost too conscious of how late he was. It would be sunrise soon..and he once again spent far too much time in the village square, flirting with the girls, dancing...things he loved to do before he were turned. Or well, before he had taken ill.

James was an orphan boy all his life. He had taken ill, and wasn't expected to live past fifteen. Not wanting to waste away in front of his friends, the boy wandered away...only to collapse somewhere in the forest.

Next thing he knew, he was met with a mysterious figure...

And his life hadn't been the same since. The fifteen year old had seemingly 'rose from the dead'. Although a bit paler than normal, his naturally blue eyes seemed to shine brightly. The only problem was, being a fledgling was quite difficult. For one thing, he hated drinking blood, but it was necessary.

And another..sunlight! Groaning, James headed for the manor he now called home, banging on the door for one of the maids to open. His sense of time was astoundingly bad! Running a hand through his shaggy brown hair, James waited impatiently for a maid to open the door.

"Oh, Master James! You're a bit late--"

"Yeah, yeah I know!" Heading inside, the boy sighed relieved he had managed to escape the sunlight.

Since young James had stumbled into Bennett's life, nothing had been quite the same. His manor wasn't lonely anymore, even his maids and butlers hadn't given him the company he required before, that was no longer the case. Though Bennett knew better than anyone else that young James was indeed a handful and a parental role was needed.

Frosted pale eyelids drew back to reveal dark, mysterious maroon colored eyes. The Vampire sat up in his velvet coffin, eyes flickering over to the light finding a passage through his very heavy curtains. James still wasn't home.

"Odd." He sighed, threading a pale and slender hand through his neatly cropped raven black hair. Within a flash, he stood on his feet. He was dressed in a late Victorian century suit with all the finest cuts and trimmings. Naturally, he had a cape that trailed on the floor behind him like a shadow, and a high collar that protected the more exposed regions of his neck.

After hearing the door burst open, Bennett hastened down the large stone staircase only to look upon James who looked rather breathless. The older vampire tucked his hands behind his back and looked down at the boy with disapproval written across his ghost white face.

"You're late." he told him, stern. "Sunlight is fast approaching, you need to be more careful!" he scolded.

Now, all he had to do was escape the scolding he were sure to receive by--

"Master B-Bennett!" The fledgling was just about to head for the stairs when he were met by the disapproved stare of his master. Staring at his maroon colored eyes, James fidgeted slightly under his gaze. "I know..I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again. Promise!" He offered a quick smile in his defense, giving off a look of pure innocence on his part. Walking towards his master to head up the stairs, James added, "Besides, all that matters is I came back perfectly fine, right?"

The fledgling, despite living with Bennett for quite a few months now, seemed to always find trouble somehow. Though he were thankful to still be alive because of his master's good graces, sometimes he did miss his mortality. Being a vampire had so many rules!

Bennett frowned, he had the feeling that James didn't quite understand the severity of the situation - heck he could have been badly burned, or worse. He lay that slender but firm hand on the young man's shoulder and turned him round on the spot to face him.

"That is not all that matters James." Bennett scolded, his voice now lower and indeed more stern. "And it seems you do not understand how serious this could have been." he then took hold of James' upper arm.

"I think a good spanking is in order." He tightened his grip slightly and then began to lead the young man into the drawing room.

Just as James was sure he'd get out of this one, Bennett had one firm hand against his shoulder, turning him to immediately face the elder vampire. James could feel his body squirm under his master's scrutinizing eyes, and as he were scolded again...James had a feeling he wouldn't get out of this one at all. "B-But I do! I do understand sir and--" The boy tensed as his upper arm were held, and the familiar sinking feeling washed over him. Hearing his master's verdict, James began squirming almost instantly, though Bennett's hold was far stronger than the fledgling's movement.

But at least he could try to delay the inevitable!

"No sir please I won't be late ever again! I swear it! Dammit, let go!" James hated getting spanked as a vampire just as much as he hated it as a human! Writhing in Bennett's grasp, the boy tried to dig his heels against the ground. Hell, he even called to some of the maids to help him! They could only chuckle, for this happened quite often at the manor. James sure did bring it back to life with his antics.

"And I'll make sure you remember to live up to your word." Bennett answered, his voice monotone much to James' distress. With that, he dragged the young man kicking and squirming into the drawing room and shut the door.

He released James and watched him back away into the depth of the room. Bennett moved closer and reached for an arm less straight backed chair, dragging it to the center of the room, he sat down and looked sternly at James.

The dark vampire didn't have to say a word. He curled his finger twice, beckoning James toward him, the serious look in those dark maroon eyes.

James felt honestly betrayed that the maids never made any attempt to help him out. Seriously, he'll remember that next time they send him to the market to buy groceries! Once inside the dreaded drawing room (in his over-dramatic opinion, it was more like a torture room than a drawing room..), James immediately backed away from his master. An almost immediate, and obvious reaction.

The boy watched as Bennett obtained a chair, sat in it, and beckoned him with those ominous eyes.

James gulped. He knew the drill by now, but it didn't mean he'd like it!

Slowly, painfully slowly, James moved towards Bennett, and his impending doom.

Once James had actually made his way over, (a little too slowly for Bennett's liking) he looked into those soft blue eyes and he smiled softly. It would do no good to be angry with him, disappointed yes, but not angry.

He reached up his hand and gently forced James to look him in the eyes. "Thank you for obeying me." he told him, "Remember James, even though I spank you - I still love you." he explained, "I will always forgive you and you will always be loved here, even before I punish you."

After explaining, he guided the young man down over his knee, holding him in place - he rubbed his back a little. "I want you to think about why you're getting this spanking, why I'm disappointed in you and why you will be more careful next time."

With that, he reached back and pulled down James' trousers down to his ankles and then the boy's underwear down to mid thighs, his bottom now exposed and ready for the spanking.

James felt himself begin to twiddle his thumbs, nervously staring into his master's eyes. His own blue eyes seemed almost pleading, though he knew there would be no way out of a spanking. Once Bennett decided he needed to be punished, he normally was. Much to his chagrin. However, as his master offered a smile, James felt slightly more reassured. Slightly.

As Bennett reached a hand to force their eyes to meet, James nodded his head slowly. "I know sir.." He did know, his stay with Bennett was comfortable, and hell...he was already attached to the man as if he were the father he never had. Just in vampire form!

Beside spankings hurting, they also annoyed the fledgling to no end. Why? Because when he earned one, it normally meant his master was disappointed in him. And that stung quite a bit.

Feeling a bit more relaxed, James was led over Bennett's waiting knee. Hearing his words, the boy sighed long and hard.

"Yes sir." He all but groaned, fidgeting a bit as his alabaster posterior were bared. "I'm sorry...I-I just lost track of time!" Hanging his head a bit causing his shaggy hair to fall over his eyes, James inwardly braced himself for the punishment to come.

James often did tug at Bennett's heartstrings, he was like the son the Vampire had never had, but he knew where punishment was due and letting James off would be the real wrong doing. After hearing him plead, Bennett sighs.

"Then you must learn to be more punctual." he scolded. After finishing his scolding, he lifted that pale hand a little height above his shoulder and brought it down across James' upturned bottom with vigor.

He could feel the sting linger on his hand, he could only imagine how James was feeling. He continued on, spanking away at the exposed bum and watching as it turned from white to a more dark pink colour.