A blind date with a vampire || 18+ (Psychological.)

[KohakuShadow]

It seemed like yesterday, yet, it wasn't. Rene walked down the street, an arm full of books from the library he had visited after work. Work, if it wasn't work, it was his own personal project at home. He paused in front of his door as he juggled the books in his hands as he searched for his house keys. A yawn passed as he opened the door to his house and entered and dropped the books heavily onto the kitchen counter. As he removed his suit jacket and loosened his tied, the bleary-eyed Rene turned his attention to the living room that had books, papers, and notes all over the couch and coffee table.

 

There was lots, yet still nothing that seemed to help him. His searches, researches and various questions left him with nothing but notes and scribbles that didn't help him at all. Rene leaned back against the counter as he gently bumped into the books and sent them sliding like a wave across the counter. Dammit.... he thought as he turned to clean them up. The books he had were anything he could find on vampires, history, religion, anything that might help him. The librarian had even come to know him, and would try to strike up a conversation because of his unusual selection of books.

 

But despite everything he took and returned, it still left him with very little to work with. The fact that the Shinohara family wasn't something that could be easily discovered quickly made him realized why they had been around for as long as they were. They were there, they were always there, but hid in the shadows it seemed.

 

"This is useless....all this time, all this mess....and I have the same amount of information as I had before...." he said with a sigh. He knew that if something came up, someone would tell him. But that didn't ease the the nagging feeling that he had in the back of his mind. Despite the reassurance, he was never one to just sit back and wait. He wanted to know, to learn, to educate himself as much as he could. But this was like a lesson in futility for him.

 

For everything he looked up, he hit a dead end. For every question he tried to have answered, he discovered twice as many. Leaving him in a never ending cycle of long nights and little sleep. Rene sighed heavily as he finished picking up the books.

 

"This is ridiculous....what good is it if I can't even get a decent night of sleep...." he said to himself. He looked around the rooms, "Take a break....." he told himself sternly as he went to the couch and sat down on it. He stared at the laptop and frowned. Closing it as though he was expecting it to taunt him before leaning back on the couch. He folded his hands together and rested them on his stomach as he stared blankly at the window that looked out to the garden in the back. The sun was setting, golden rays hit the leaves softly as he watched the branches sway in the wind. It wasn't long until his eyes began to grow heavy, the vision before him blurring as he dozed off.

[Saga]

X The wind outside Rene's house slightly picked up, but didn't go out of hand enough to break branches. Just when the male was relaxed and getting first steps into his dreamland, a gentle voice tickled the silence,

 

- Good day, Mister Verona. - his long legs were comfortably crossed as he was sitting across the couch where Rene was beginning to nap.

 

Zurashi didn't contact Rene for a whole month, nor allowed any other vampire to go near the male. If Zurashi said so, it was an actual rule.

 

The old vampire looked around, the mess bothering him not yet somewhat the choice of books made him chuckle inwardly - was the human trying to study vampires? ...Interesting.

 

[KohakuShadow]

Rene seemed to be in between sleep and awake. He heard nothing, but seemed to feel a shadow. As though something had entered his house. But he had locked the doors, even the back door hadn't been opened. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, or the fact that he was in that half sleep state that was causing him to sense things.

 

Good day, Mister Verona.

 

That snapped him out of his lazy state. Rene's eyes opened suddenly and blinked a bit as he focused. "EH!?" He sat up quickly and blinked again as he stared at the vampire before him. "M...Mr. Shinohara!" he said in surprise. He looked around at the mess as he turned beet red.

 

"AH! Please forgive the mess!" He said as he started to straighten out everything around him. A nervous habit for he usually kept his house clean, as well as it must have seemed silly to see so many books about Vampires around him.

[Saga]

X The boy literally 'freaked out', not only he got startled off his sleep but also seemed the mess embarrassed him. Zurashi minded not but somewhat he enjoyed the human's distress.

 

Once the human started picking books and papers in a hurry, the vampire smiled and reassured him,

- Please, mind it not. Nothing beats Luis' room in his teen's. - chuckling ever so slightly, the male straightened his back against the chair's board and looked over the left book by his side, "Vampires - Myth or Reality?"

 

The older man reached hand to it, rustling the pages with curiosity.

- You do realize that garlic is a funny joke, right? - making a remark, Zurashi closed the book then looked to Rene, - Do you mind treating me to a cup of tea, Mister Verona?

[KohakuShadow]

He gathered up a few books and held them close as he continued to try and unconvincingly hide the books that were clearly out in the open.

 

Please, mind it not. Nothing beats Luis' room in his teen's.

 

The statement made him relax just slightly as he smiled a little and set the small stack down on the table. He watched the old vampire pick up one of the many books he had picked up, a blush of embarrassment crossed his face. He watched silently as the vampire looked at the book in what he guessed was amusement. He knew there were things that had been written that weren't true. For just from the experiences he had with Luis and Zurashi, he knew there was a lot that was simply legend, or stories meant to scare people.

 

You do realize that garlic is a funny joke, right?

 

"Eh? No, I didn't know, but....I guess it's to be expected, there's a lot that's written that I know isn't true....just from what I know about you and Luis" he said softly as he stared at the book.

 

Do you mind treating me to a cup of tea, Mister Verona?

 

He stared at the book that was closed until he heard the question. He stiffened and stood up quickly as he suddenly realized he did in fact have a guest in his home. "Ah! Yes of course! I'm so sorry, how rude of me!" He said as he made his way to the kitchen. Everything that was going on, and the lack of sleep, his manners had seemed to disappear which embarrassed him greatly. "Anything in particular you'd like? Or just black tea?" he said as he filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove. He opened the pantry door and brought out a simple wood tea box. "I apologize again....." he said as he pulled a couple of tea cups out of the cupboard.

[Saga]

X Fact was that what amused him was nothing but Rene. The human was natural and pure, somewhat Zurashi started to see why Luis got tempted - well, other than the natural instinct vampires have for their "Eve".

 

The vampire's gaze quietly followed Verona's hectic movements, although he looked so graceful during their first meeting it seemed that the lack of sleep made him rather... clumsy. He had to yet realize that his hair was sticking to all directions, messily.

 

Of course, Zurashi found it cute so he kept quiet about the messy hair - it'd be pity if it were to be fixed, thought he.

 

Anything in particular you'd like? Or just black tea?

 

- Anything is fine, as long as not sweet. - the male kept looking around the place, it felt rather comfy and warm for a human's home. Nowadays Zurashi found humans' tendencies rather eccentric, especially when it came to "modern design".

 

With the short pause he made, it actually was the right time to sneak some information about his kind, seeing how hard Rene worked to find stuff about them,

- Pure blooded vampires dislike sweet things. - his gaze wandered around before landing on something specific, a painting.

 

Although unknown but yet, vampires were true admirers when it came to art.

 

Zurashi got up to walk calmly towards the painting, his gaze fastened with intense curiosity - it was a piece of a lake surrounded by evergreen trees. Indeed, the piece was beautiful.

 

 

[KohakuShadow]

Rene began to calm himself, and get more composed as he busied himself in the kitchen. It was rare for him to have guests, but when he did, he was always polite, he quietly cursed himself for his moment of rudeness. But the fact that the vampire wasn't angry eased his nervousness a bit.

 

He took a deep breath and relaxed again as he went back to the tea box and opened it.

 

Anything is fine, as long as not sweet.

 

He nodded as he looked over the teas he had, "Nothing sweet." he muttered as he looked over the teas. He nodded as he pulled out two Assam tea bags and placed each one in the two mugs.

 

Pure blooded vampires dislike sweet things.

 

He paused as he looked up at the vampire, "Eh? Really?" he said curiously, he knew there were people who didn't like sweet things. He himself wasn't a big fan of sweet things, unless he was in a mood. But the statement made him a little curious. "Is there a particular reason why that is?" he asked wanting to get to the bottom line of his question.

 

He paused as he heard the tea kettle whistle and returned his attention to making the tea. He carefully brought the kettle over and poured the steaming water into the mugs before setting the timer for the tea to steep. After placing the kettle back on the stove he watched the vampire move to a painting he had. A painting he grew up with, and even after the death of his parents, and moving out of the large estate to a more modest place, he could not bear to part with it.

[Saga]

X The rattling sounds coming from the kitchen were like hammering against Zurashi's eardrums but with the millenniums he lived through, he learned how to get used to the noise surrounding him - one of the strengths yet weaknesses of vampires - excessive senses.

 

The vampire's fingers came into contact with the canvas' surface, he detected no dust against the painting which made him thinking, how well the human took care of it. If that weren't the case, he'd ask Rene if he could buy it but no one would take such care of something they didn't care about. Zurashi smiled gently - how sentimental, huh.

 

Is there a particular reason why that is?

 

The question made him focus more on the human than the painting, after all, it wasn't the time to admire art now.

 

- Well ... - the male paused thinking how to explain it simpler, - Let's just saw that it helps us find our "Eve", for their scent is awfully sweet. It's like the lack of sweet taste in our life suddenly rushing through our bodies. Put simply, Eve's blood is the only sweet thing we want to taste.

 

Once his sentence came to an end, the vampire smiled up to ears not really expecting the human's grasp on the topic.

 

With another step, Zurashi began curiously walking around the room - another object he landed his attention on, a closed box.

 

The male titled his head although older than most species, in fact probably the only older thing than him was God himself, acted like some child - full of curiosity. But it wasn't every day thing to spend time in a human's home.

 

- Say, Mister Verona - Zurashi reached for the box, just to study the pattern but yet polite enough to not open it, - Have you found your answer?

[KohakuShadow]

Rene watched the vampire study the painting, and wondered what was going through his mind. He was tempted to talk about the painting, but he kept himself quiet. There were too many things that the painting brought up. Both good and bad, and he wasn't one to divulge the things he kept hidden unless it was necessary. In this case, it wasn't, but it seemed the vampire was pleased with the condition of the painting, and the temptation to break the silenced past just as quickly as it came.

 

Let's just saw that it helps us find our "Eve", for their scent is awfully sweet. It's like the lack of sweet taste in our life suddenly rushing through our bodies. Put simply, Eve's blood is the only sweet thing we want to taste.

 

He listened and mulled over the answer in his mind. "I see." he said softly in a way where he both understood and didn't understand at the same time. He could come up with ways to say that he understood, but he was sure that anything he tried to equate the sentence to, would be wrong.

 

The timer softly went off as he went to fish out the bags from the mugs and dispose of them. As he returned to pick up the mugs he paused as the Vampire seemed to focus on a small box he had. A sudden wave of dread came over him, as he fought every urge he had to tell the old vampire to put the box down. But the movements of the vampire didn't indicate that he was going to open it, just look at it. Though it still caused some tension for Rene knew what he had put in there, he knew what the box meant, and he knew that it was something that seemed to mock him because he still had the sentimentality to keep the contents of the box, even though he hadn't opened it since that traumatic moment in his life. He took another deep breath as he picked up the mugs and walked over to the vampire to hand it to him.

 

Say, Mister Verona. Have you found your answer?

 

The question made him pause as he held out the mug. He looked from the vampire to the box, and back again. There seemed like there was more to the question, but he focused on what he thought the question was about.

 

"About Luis?" he said softly, "Yes, I want to save him."

[Saga]

X DAM-BA-THUMP... DAM-BA-THUMP........BA-THUMP-BA-THUMP-BA-THUMP...

 

The vampire noticed the change of Rene's heart rate as soon as he lifted the box to study it. The male said nothing so the vampire asked nothing. And even if the human said anything, Zurashi had no reason to pry his nose into his life.

 

He glanced to the mug held out to him, then to Rene. The human's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, was he aware how displeased he looked that someone was touching that box? It made Zurashi urge to tease him and pretend he'd drop the box - but if it were his son, it'd be after all..more amusing. The old vampire loved messing with Luis, in fact, it was his hobby.

 

Zurashi put the box back to reach for the tea, listening to Rene's answer. It was clear and brief, and by the sound of his heart - Rene didn't lie.

 

The older man smiled lightly and took the mug,

- Save the life of a beast, huh? - the male set his mug down and he reached hand towards Rene's forehead; his cold fingertips touched the warm skin of Rene's - Then allow me to show you his love and his hatred.

 

The moment he touched Rene's forehead, he put the male into a trance - partly a trance. It was one of the vampire's abilities to show the past. After all, showing it would be better than any other said word.

 

Once Rene went into trance, Zurashi caught him by the waist careful to not have him drop on the floor. Skillfully he held the boy and guided the mug in Rene's hand. Once he secured everything, he lifted him up to carry him to the couch.

 

The vampire glanced over the troubled face of the other's, but that was something he had to do - to show him that heroic words are different from what actually happened in life.

 

Zurashi sighed and took out of his long coat a ticket to Alaska, Anchorage with a letter on top of it. Once the human woke up, he'd decide whether his heroic words could be backed up with acts. The vampire smiled lightly as bid his farewell,

- Sleep well, Mister Verona.

 

**

 

The trance state Rene was put on was actually a vivid slide of Luis' past, something that only one vampire could've known - Zurashi. As the father of them all, he knew each of his child's past but of course he knew the best the past of his blood and flesh.

 

 

LONDON, 1347.

A small yet quickly developing town, one of the places where Rene was taken to. The small body of unearthly beautiful child ran pass Rene. His black silky hair ruffled by the wind yet again his blue eyes left impression. His age could be guessed and it was no more than 15 - a very lively yet still innocent.

 

- LUIS! I TOLD YOU TO NOT RUN DOWN THE STREET, BOY! - a nagging woman tried to keep up with his pace.

 

The merry echo of Luis' laughter filled the busy yet muddy street of London with life,

- Ahahaha!

- Don't laugh! You!

 

The crowd surrounded them, little by little they were heading towards one big building.

 

[KohakuShadow]

Rene tried to keep himself calm, but the dread he had was overshadowing him. He hoped the vampire wouldn't ask, wouldn't pry, but he knew the answer as soon as he thought it. No, he wouldn't it was something Rene would have to be ready for, and he wasn't. Even if he was, Zurashi was not the one he would talk to.

 

As the vampire set the box down to take the tea a wave of relief washed over him. He relaxed and looked up at the vampire.

 

Save the life of a beast, huh?

 

He looked at the vampire and blinked as a cold fingertip touched his forhead.

 

Then allow me to show you his love and his hatred.

 

 

"Ah?" was the only sound he was able to make before a he felt himself fall. Or so the sensation felt. His eyes grew dim as he closed them and lets gravity do its work. Yet even with that, he could sense that he wasn't going to fall.

 

Sleep well Mister Verona

 

He heard before he finally fell into the darkness that was around him.

 

-----

 

LONDON, 1347.

Rene looked around as he opened his eyes, he wasn't home, he wasn't even in his own city, he was someplace else. London..... He thought as he rubbed his eyes and looked around. It was indeed London, but it was different. Very different. Though it didn't take long for him to figure out why.

 

The small boy who ran by him caught his eye, and it wasn't long until he figured out why. Luis! he realized, a slight smile ran across his face as he saw the adorable and beautiful young Luis run.

 

LUIS! I TOLD YOU TO NOT RUN DOWN THE STREET, BOY!

 

He looked back to see the woman who ran after the quick boy. He smiled and shook his head a little as he started to jog after the young Luis. He didn't know what was going on, or what was going to happen, but he knew, if he followed the young vampire, he would find out what he wanted to know.

 

He quickened his pace after Luis as he ran towards a building. A large building.

[Saga]

X

 

**

The building before was one of the most prestige schools for that time, in fact many people gave money under the table just so their kids could attend classes there. Of course Shinohara's family could easily afford the fees, so Luis was more or less a rumored student. Well, beside the rumor that he was a rich boy...there were some darker rumors surrounding him.

 

Although the fame wasn't something he lacked, Luis preferred to be around one particular human, a woman - Anne Jacqueline. A very beautiful woman, in her late 20's. But the remarkable of all was that Anne was one of the few humans who knew about the existence of vampires. Even more, she was Luis' homeroom teacher and yet the one who had to watch over him as Luis' father was almost always away.

 

- Hey, An-- ... - a loud whack and Luis had his hands on head, - What are you...Why are you hitting me?!

- Don't call me by name, I am your teacher. Show some respect! - the woman that was out of breath due to the 'chase after' game of Luis', reached down to fix the boy's necktie, - Remember? No fights, no ditching, no skipping of meal and particularly eating the vegetables, no---

 

With an audible sigh Luis continued,

- ..No smoking, no girls and no alcohol. I know, An-- .. Miss Jacqueline.

 

The frown on her face smoothed and she smiled,

- Good boy. Let's go! - she stomped ahead lively and started greeting other teachers and students.

 

But he, Luis, disliked it. Whenever she was away, he felt like suffocating. The stares he got, some were envious, other were filled with fear. The woman before him soon disappeared in the crowd and his steps grew slower and slower.

 

- Oh, it's Shinohara. - from the whispers around him, even a human could detect them what left about a vampire's hyper hearing sense.

- Yeah..let's not look at him. I heard my mom saying that his family's got some questionable business going on...

- No wonder, he is so rich. And you saw his tattoo last time during P.E. ?

- Oh, yeah! I remember it! Pastor Noe said that it was a symbol of the wicked!

- Yuck...! Let's hurry up, he might hear us!

 

Luis was already used to it, all these whispers and stares. Sometimes they even had his bag filled with bugs, other time he found a note on his desk saying, "Go die, Satan!"

 

Of course, among the blinded by that time mass, brain-washed to believe in whatever the church dictated..Luis had some admirers. But he could bet it was due to his looks. No one actually talked to him, nor wanted to be around him. Even so, he enjoyed making Anne worry whenever he ditched classes.

 

Although he just repeated Anne's rules, Shinohara decided to ditch classes. Nothing new he could learn there, nothing fun to do either.

 

The vampire boy changed his pace and walked out the yard, running to another directed with a dive into the busy street.

[KohakuShadow]

Rene followed Luis quickly into the building, he looked around and realized immediately it was a school. He paused as he looked around, his hand began to rub his arm as he immediately began to think about where he was. Tch....no matter where it is, all these schools are the same...... He thought bitterly as he returned his attention to Luis.

 

He quickly made his way in the direction Luis went, despite his instincts taking over, he still felt weird to be walking around in a busy area, not being bumped into, or being noticed. He wondered if this was what it was like to be dead, to be a ghost.

 

He looked over as he saw the small and energetic Luis finally stopped. He smiled at the young woman who was beautiful, and kind, but also showed no nonsense.

 

Don't call me by name, I am your teacher. Show some respect

 

He blinked and covered his mouth as he chuckled at the woman who gave a whack to Luis for his lack of respect. “Haha....seems he hasn't changed much...." he said softly in amusement.

 

He softened his expression, a somewhat sad but gentle smile as he watched the two. He continued to follow the young Luis down the hall, he felt like a guardian, but at the same time, he knew he wasn't because this was the past, a memory, and he was merely walking through it, seeing what happened, what was.

 

Oh, it's Shinohara.

Yeah..let's not look at him. I heard my mom saying that his family's got some questionable business going on...

No wonder, he is so rich. And you saw his tattoo last time during P.E. ?

Oh, yeah! I remember it! Pastor Noe said that it was a symbol of the wicked!

Yuck...! Let's hurry up, he might hear us!

 

He turned his attention to the boys in the hall, his smile quickly changing into a frown. Yeah....same type of kids too..... he thought as he scratched the back of his hand. His own memories slowly starting to surface. He shook his head in an attempt to push them back down. Now was not the time to think about that. He was here for answers.

 

With a sigh Rene turned back to follow Luis, the stares, and whispers that continued began to annoy him, if only he were real, he could tell the voices to shut up. But to try and do that in a memory, was pointless.

 

He blinked as he saw the boy change his direction. Realizing he wasn't here to think or yell at shadows, he dashed after the young Luis and followed him as quickly as he could. As he turned he paused for a moment at the busy street, but remembering quickly it wasn't real, he continued forward with no hesitation.

[Saga]

X

 

**

The boy ran fast and faster, but never bumped into anyone. When something stood in his way, he had the amazing reflex of dodging and yet continue running. His body not really indicating a physical strength but somewhat one would start to wonder - how long he could keep that pace up?

 

Finally once out of the busy streets of London, the boy stopped his gallop. There were some muddy paths leading you out the main road, and Luis sneaked into some bushes. The boy crawled a few meters and then stood up, it was his kind of Heaven - a hidden ruins from god knew when, he even had named the place - "

Please Register/ Sign In, in order to see the links.

".

 

It was his personal hideout and only Anne knew it. In fact, whenever she came to look for him there, he played hide and seek with her which actually angered her each time but the more he could be with her there - the more he felt alive, ordinary...just like them, humans.

 

The young vampire climbed and jumped around, he played with bugs and even tried to capture a bird. It wasn't he wanted to hurt any living being, it was loneliness that he tried to run from.

 

The day rolled quickly and the sunset was finally down the horizon, the last rays caressed the vampire boy's face as he sat on top of the highest spot on that ruin staircase. His lips parted slightly as he took in a mouthful of air, quiet notes hummed in his throat. A melody he loved playing on the piano, his personal melody for Anne.

 

With a smile he closed eyes and leaned back, fully aware he'd fall on his back - even so, he allowed his body to free fall. The thud was loud yet when seen from on top of the ruin, he looked just like in a peaceful sleep.

 

Hours passed and finally he jumped to sit up, he heard steps his way. The excitement that it was her made him ignore any logic and instinct - he rushed up to dust himself up.

 

Ready to be scolded yet somewhat happy he looked up with a smile,

- Ann--..

 

A group of boys, one or two years older than the vampire boy circled him. It wasn't something new when human boys or other vampires went after him. But with the recent plague going on, the church dictated that it was the cure for humans - God's wrath to save them from the evil. Many killed and many were killed, for one single belief.

 

- Yo, freak! - one boy taller than Luis held a long yet thick branch. Luis wasn't really afraid but somehow saddened that Anne wasn't the one to greet him.

- Pff! Did you see him? His smile vanished! Scared much? - another boy voiced the mock on.

 

Luis wasn't a violent vampire, in fact, the only time when he used his powers was to heal himself or to save some street dogs that he pretty much saw as something similar to him - wandering around, hungry for love and yet unwanted pests.

 

- Say something, we are talking to you! - a third boy pushed Luis hard enough to make the vampire fall on his butt.

- Hey, I heard he had a strange drawing on his forearm!

- Really?

 

In their cruelty, humans forgot what their race was about. In their cruelty, they often forgot God but only after that used him to justify themselves.

 

The boys held Luis down, tearing one of his sleeves to stare at the snake with disgust. Someone from the gang suggested they should 'purify' him, and so they did - the older boys took out matches to make fire. Once the flame was stable enough they forced Luis' hand into it, stepping onto him to keep him in place.

 

It was not the pain against skin, it was not the laughter showering him, it was not even the kicks he got into ribs whenever he tried to move... it was the loneliness. Why they killed for their God? Did their God teach him that? Luis' eyes slid close, the pain making him sweat - he didn't like that God, then.

 

- YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE! LET HIM GO!

 

...Ah, that was the voice he waited for. Despite the pain, he felt happy. She was ever so loud. Ever so loud..

 

His eyes shot open when she confronted the older boys who tried to run away. But in the chaos and all the struggles, one of them pushed her away forceful enough for her to fall backwards and hit her head.

 

... The stench of blood made him sick. His eyes glowed in the dark - but they, they only could stare and submit to the fear. All humans were the same, only she, she wasn't.

 

Once the vampire saw she moved not, her breathing was gone - Luis lost it. In his anger he tackled one of them, minding not these who manged to run.

 

- Get off me! You, monster! - the boy swung for a hit but Luis caught it and his hand crashed the boy's wrist.

 

Screams of agony echoed, but Luis was not done. His fist landed onto the other, breaking a nose next. It was so easy to break them - why they tried to be so superior when they were inferior?

 

Another punch, he broke his rib. The human started coughing blood, begging for his life.

 

Shinohara raised hand again for a deciding, last punch but the small fist was captured in a bigger hand.

- Luis... That's enough. - the velvet voice of Zurashi could not sooth his son's pain.

- Let..go..Zurashi.. - the old Luis never called his father appropriately, he never felt the closeness of his so that word was foreign, "father".

 

The older vampire dragged Luis off the other, holding him tight enough. He was a pure blooded one, only his father could fight back such a power.

 

- Calm down. Luis, it is okay. It is---

- NOTHING IS OKAY! You don't understand anything... - his fingers sank deep into Zurashi's flesh, if it were an ordinary vampire his bones would be broken by now but Zurashi flinched not, - They..they have everything.. Love, friends, families..and a god to pray to. Why they took away all I had?

 

His eyes never looked to Anne's motionless body, Luis was afraid to look over there. He didn't want to see it. His stare was glued to the unconscious boy before him.

 

- Luis, my dear... - the father knelt before him as loosened his grip, - Do not hate them, do not harm them for they cannot understand and will never do so, my son. Humans are just like us, lost and lonely.

- Why.. - the boy lowered his head down, - Why are you protecting them, Zurashi? Why did you save him? He doesn't deserve to live...he...

 

Zurashi's lips formed a smile as his hand reached up to caress Luis' wet from tears cheek,

- Luis.., to save a human's life is a beautiful honor. But to save a life of a beast's.. - Zurashi's eyes looked over to Anne's body and then back to Luis, - ..That's far more beautiful, it's a beautiful courage.

 

The older vampire brought Luis into his embrace and sad his final, soothing words

- And remember, when you manage to save both, my dear, that's 'Nobility'.

 

The boy buried face into his father's shoulder and screamed. His chest feeling so torn and so worn yet unaware of the long life he had to live yet more.

 

Little by little the picture of them grew dim, the memory vanishing just so the trance Rene was put in, would be over.

 

 

 

[KohakuShadow]

Rene huffed as he ran as fast as he could, trying to keep up with the young vampire. He wondered how long he could keep this up, but realized again, this was a dream, a memory, and the only thing that could stop him would be his own mind. It was his mind that kept him going, despite the heavy breathing, and the burning he felt as he continued to follow. It was all of this that even got him to ignore the fact that he ran around and ran through the shadows of the past.

 

He huffed and bent over, resting his hands against his knees as the boy stopped, his ponytail slid over his shoulder as he regained his breath. As he took a deep breath and stood up, he followed the young vampire into the bushes and crawled until he stood up in the beautiful ruins.

 

“Oh my...” he gasped as he brushed the dust off and looked around. It was quiet, old, and beautiful, a place he would have liked to have gone himself if there were such places when he was a child. He stayed close, while also walking around, even touching the stones as best he could. As he touched the wall, laughter echoed around him. “Y....you must have had fun here....” he said softly as he looked from the stone to the boy who couldn't hear him.

 

Rene sat on the steps, resting his arms on his lap as he watched the boy enjoy his sanctuary. A soft smile appeared on his face as he watched, entranced by the innocent beauty who played the way boys did, the way boys should. But even with that, he could sense the loneliness, the desire to have someone. It was something he knew all too well. It was different, since he was still human, but the loneliness, it was something that no one should have to deal with.

 

He found himself watching Luis, even dozing a bit as the day went on, it was peaceful, sweet, and despite the lonely feeling, it was beautiful. His eyes opened slightly as he heard the humming, it was lovely and somewhat familiar, though he was sure it was just his desire to find a way to get close, to get into the mind of a being that had been through a lot more than he could imagine.

 

His eyes widened as he watched the boy fall from the highest point. His hands covered his mouth despite the fact that deep down he knew he was ok. He quickly got up and knelt next to Luis, his head shaking a bit, “Probably a good thing she didn't see you do that....” he said with an exasperated laugh. If it had been before his knowledge of vampires, he probably would have thought Luis was dead, but now, he knew better.

 

He watched the young vampire as he remained laying there, appearing to be sleeping, an urge to touch the boy came over him. His hair, was so soft, so lovely, and even while knowing it was a memory, he reached his hand out to touch the black hair.

 

A sudden noise pulled Rene's hand away as he looked over in the direction, he watched the boy get up excitedly, happy to see a familiar face. But what showed up was not the beautiful woman who he liked, It was a group of boys. A sudden wave of anger, and sadness washed over him as he had a feeling he knew what was going to come.

 

You Freak!

 

He heard, as he went from kneeling to standing. As the third boy shoved Luis he took a step forward, despite knowing, there was nothing he could do, a memory of the past was just that, a memory that couldn't be changed.

 

It didn't change his anger, as he watched the boys, attack Luis, build the fire and start to burn him. But despite his knowing it was a shadow of the past, he ran towards the young vampire and knelt beside him, he reached into the fire that hand just as much affect on him as it would air.

 

The cruelty, the helpless feeling, the loneliness, and the lack of being able to help, to do anything angered him, to the point he grabbed for the dirt, and flung it at the boy, but just like with everything else, it did nothing. There was nothing that would stop them, nothing that would help Luis.

 

YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE! LET HIM GO!

 

Through the gritted teeth and choking back his anger and tears, the familiar voice made him get up and turn around, a sense of relief came over him as he knew Luis would be saved, he would be safe.

 

But that sense of relief ended quickly, as the scene played out before him. The scuffle, the struggle and the sight of blood, even in a memory the stench of blood was something he knew, it was something he didn't want to remember, but knew it all too well. The smell made him cover his mouth and cough, and choke.

 

He turned away only for a moment as he knew what had happened, “No.....no....please no...” he coughed out as he turned back around. Yes, it was what he thought, she didn't breath, or move, and the young vampire was in a frenzy.

 

It was hard to watch, the young vampire attacking and beating up the kids, but at the same time, he felt no sympathy, it was a scene he wished he could have done himself in the memory that began to rise to the surface, the memory he didn't want to remember.

 

The voice of Zurashi snapped him out of his own memories within this memory, the father who obviously cared, but had a very strange and unusual way of showing it. The son who obviously never had the father that Rene had. But even he was having a hard time trying to understand what was going to be ok.

 

He could see the boy didn't want to look over, and despite not wanting to himself, Rene did, he looked at her body, his hand clenching into a fist. He understood Luis' anger, his rage.

 

Luis.., to save a human's life is a beautiful honor. But to save a life of a beast's....That's far more beautiful, it's a beautiful courage.

 

The statement made him freeze, he turned, and stared at the pair, stunned silence, thinking, and realization flooded over him. “....that question.....” he said softly as it finally made sense to him. Without realizing, tears began to run down his face. A flood of emotions came over him.

 

And remember, when you manage to save both, my dear, that's 'Nobility'.*

 

The final words he heard as the pictures faded, he looked around quickly, wanting to leave, and yet not wanting to. The pain was too much, but he understood. It didn't help the pain, but he understood.

 

-----

 

As the images faded, and the emotions were still raw, the violet eyes of Rene slowly opened, and blinked. He felt his eyes burn from the tears, though his face was dry. He rubbed his eyes as he shifted and looked around quietly. The room was empty, the house was dark and he was alone. He slowly sat up and sighed a heavy sigh.

 

No wonder.....no wonder he got mad.....no wonder he ran..... he thought as he buried his face in his hands. Everything made sense, everything began to come together. Despite the fear, the sadness, and the anger, he lowered his hands and looked over at the plane ticket that he guessed Zurashi had left.

 

He stared at it for a moment in silence before he grabbed it and went to his room. I don't have time to waste.... he thought as he went to pack a a small suitcase.

[Saga]

Hours passed like days, days passed like months and that month, that month passed like years. He felt hungry, lonely and empty. But despite of all, somewhat he believed it suited him well.

 

The Crux' had their beliefs, Zurashi had his own beliefs and the Vatican had their own, too. But what actually Luis could believe in? It wasn't in God, it wasn't in them, the humans, either. All he had was the solitude. The eternity to spend with nothing and everything, with anyone and no one.

 

The house although bought one month ago was empty. There was no food, no woods for the fireplace, no blankets and no warm water. He didn't need them, so he didn't bother. If it weren't for the annoying snow, he wouldn't even bother closing the house's door. So the place he lived in was pretty much like an abandoned building in the middle of no where - just that the vampire spent his time wandering in the woods, now and then returning to sleep on a bed and back in the woods - the cycle repeated pretty much so for the first half of the month.

 

Until the day when his senses were sharpened enough to actually hear the whole damn town, his scent able to detect from miles and his fangs - well, they were temporary out for weeks. The good thing about being all alone was - no one could actually throw sticks and rocks at him for being a vampire.

 

The male had to distract the hunger so he decided to uncover the piano he purchased the first days in Anchorage. It was a beautiful black one, polished and tuned well. The male had it placed on the veranda but somewhat he disliked the creaks each time he pressed the pedal so had it moved in the middle of the forest. Somewhat the beautiful black stood out very elegantly with the snow on background. Shinohara liked the new place for the piano, so he often spent the time playing when hungry - which was almost most of the time during that damn long month.

 

These recent days he started wondering, when would he fall asleep to hibernate? A fact was that when starved to death, vampires' bodies 'shut down' or more like what humans called 'being into coma'. So that was Luis' goal this whole month, starving himself to death and cooling his body to its utmost limits.

 

[KohakuShadow]

It didn't take long for Rene to pack his suitcase with a few things and carried a coat, and a scarf. He locked the door to his house and entered the cab that he had called. As he sat in the back of the cab he looked at the ticket that Zurashi had left him. That was very kind of him....but I could have bought my own ticket.... he thought. Maybe....I'll pay him back when I have a chance.....

 

He sighed as he discovered a note tucked in with the airline tickets. He pulled it out and looked at it, Luis is living in the middle of the forest...? he thought as he read the directions and location of the Vampire. His heart began to beat quickly as the thought of knowing where to find Luis became real. He held the note carefully and protectively as though that was the only thing that kept a link between him and Luis.

 

I'll save you.....and show you my words are true..... he thought as he slide the tickets and note into the pocket of his suit jacket. He focused on looking out the window as the city went by him. He had never been outside of Italy, this was a first, but for Luis, he would travel anywhere to help him.

 

What is this feeling....? He thought as the car pulled to the airline terminal. He shook his head as he exited the car and headed to check in. He was happy that it didn't take very long to get to the gate, and he spent the time he waited contacting his boss that he was going to take vacation. He apologized for the short noticed, but his boss didn't seem to mind. If anything he seemed happy that Rene was going to take an actual vacation.

 

He smiled at the text, even though he didn't say where he was going or why. He wasn't sure how anyone at work would react to where he was going, and that he was going to follow a man no less. They didn't need to know that the man was also a vampire, that was information that he knew he couldn't say, but he didn't want anyone to know who he was following.

 

They wouldn't understand..... he thought as he turned his phone off and slid it in his pocket.

 

// FLIGHT C3, ITALY - ENGLAND - ALASKA. ALL PASSENGERS TO TERMINAL B5. I REPEAT.....

 

Rene grabbed up his stuff and made his way to the plane. He found a seat that allowed him to be alone which he was relieved about. After sliding his suitcase in the overhead compartment he sat down in the seat by the window. It seemed to take forever but eventually the announcements were made, and the plane was on its way to the sky. His anxious desire to find Luis took away the anxiety of this being his first flight, and even after take-off he ordered a drink from the stewardess and watched the darkness and the lights of the city relax him.

 

After finishing his drink he found himself staring blankly at the tiny lights and darkness below. With a heavy sigh and the soft murmur of the people in the plane, he found himself dozing off.

[Saga]

The day grew to night, and the night rolled off as well. The small hours of the morning were Luis' favorites. The world seemed frozen, motionless and yet filled with whispers only a deaf man would hear. The forest was covered with snow below and yet above a thick layer of white mist embraced the bare trees.

 

The clear air pierced through one's lungs yet coldness evoked the cruel nature. Due to the winter in Alaska, these small hours of the day, between two o'clock in the morning to six, were most quietest, coldest and yet beautiful.

 

The skies above were shining with clarity, stars kept blinking yet reminding that even they did fall.

 

Shinohara was barely dressed, a thin layer of white shirt not fully buttoned up, and sportive pants that were loose enough to show how much weight Luis lost. If a human wore just that during the icy mornings in Alaska, one would probably need around two minutes before freezing to death.

 

The vampire walked out the house around five or six o'clock in the morning, leaving the door open for it held nothing that could be "locked" or kept "warm" inside. His bare feet sank into the freshly fallen snow, although the quiet scenery revealed unearthly beauty his expression remained stoic. Somewhat he lost the sense of beauty. What was beautiful, again?

 

With slow pace he walked into the forest, bothered not to clean the snow off the piano's surface. His hands opened the keyboard's lid as sat down onto the relatively short chair suited for the piano. His pale hands caressed along the keys, snow resumed its fall but somewhat gentler than ever.

 

The male felt his powers leaving him for a few hours now, probably his time was coming and if he was to fall in an eternal sleep, he could as well play one last piece for Anne.

 

Amber glow in his eyes as pupils went slit, when was the last time he cut his nails again - staring down at his hands, he did realize that his powers were causing the appearance change: glowing eyes, fangs poking gently at the inner side of his bottom lip, nails slightly longer and his hair slightly longer, down to his collarbones. He never had experienced the rumored sleep, so probably it was part of the "preparation".

 

A small smile ran across his lips; if Anne saw him like that, she'd probably whack him for good - skipping meals, fighting, alcohol, women, cigarettes, gambling and even..killing.. He did all she tried to teach him was wrong.

 

Readjusting himself on the chair, he sat his bare foot onto the hidden from snow pedal. Somewhat after so long, he felt nervous. It was a piece he never played again, a piece he only kept in his head. And whenever that piece tried to make the echo, he dived into the night life - alcohol, women or fighting. Just so that, that melody would stop. But here he was, about to play it again.

 

A gentle press came down against the key, the quiet forest stilled even more. Somewhat the snow started falling even slower, the wind grew mute and nature decided to "sit and listen". The whole forest and mountain echoed the melody, "

".

[KohakuShadow]

18 YEARS AGO

“Dr. Fiore...? Do you have any books on wolves...?”

 

The young boy with bright violet eyes stared at the doctor who was writing down some information at his desk. The boy came to the veterinary office on different days after school. He looked up from his work and adjusted his glasses, “Why do you ask Rene?”

 

“I was just curious......” Rene said as he played with a pen on the desk, “I was thinking of maybe becoming a vet....” he said as he didn't make eye contact.

 

The doctor sighed as he watched the boy's behavior and stood up. He walked over to his shelves and pulled a couple of books down. He set them on the desk and sat back down. “These have information on what they eat, and their behavior. But if there's something you need my help with, you should talk to me.” He said with a stern look.

 

Rene picked up the books and smiled up at the doctor, “Thank you Dr. Fiore!” he turned and ran to the door. He paused and turned back around, “I will, thank you.”

 

When he wasn't having recess Rene spent most of his time reading the books that the Doctor had given him. He took notes that answered his questions and even things he thought might come up later.

 

It was a few days ago while on lunch at school a young Rene had found a young wolf who was injured. It was in a secluded spot of the school and he had spent time getting the wolf to trust him. It resulted in bites and scratches that he explained away by saying they were from feral cats and dogs. But it wasn't until he noticed the young wolf was injured that he needed information.

 

Dr. Fiore was a vet near the school, and he usually spent his time there rather than with the kids from school. In fact, the kids teased him for feeding and caring about the feral and wild animals around the city. For a prep elementary school, such behavior was beneath them. But Rene had always been taught to value and treasure nature, as well as people. Not all the students were like that, but he tended to trust the behavior of animals, than people.

 

He had managed to hide the wolf among the trees and shrugs, he created a den for the young wolf, and spent his lunch break making sure the water was full, and sharing his lunch. But with how agitated the wolf was, he knew he needed the doctors help.

 

“Dr. Fiore....can you help me? Please?” he looked up hopefully, almost sadly as he tugged on the doctors coat.

 

“Rene.....do you know how much it costs to do work on a wild animal?” The Doctor sighed as he adjusted his glasses. “It's not easy to do this stuff for free without getting in trouble.”

 

“Please!!! We can't let him die!” Rene pleaded. “We can set him free.....turn him to a park where he would be safe, but please! He can't stay at the school! Someone will find him!”

 

The Doctor sighed as he pat the boy on the head, “alright....alright, I'll figure something out....but I'm going to have to give him a sedative so we can bring him back here.....” he said softly, “Alright?”

 

The boy nodded and gave a smile, his violet eyes brightening up.

 

It didn't take much to get the wolf sedated and back to the Vet's office, and since they did it at night, the office was quiet.

 

Rene waited in the silent waiting room as the Dr. worked on the wolf he had named Vuk. Fiore had teased Rene for not coming up with a more original name, but after an argument, and Rene crying a bit, the Dr had changed his mind.

 

The doctor came out to the waiting room to find Rene sleeping on a few chairs. He gave a slight smile as he walked over and tapped Rene's shoulder. “Rene, wake up, Vuk's going to be fine.” He said softly.

 

Rene shifted and slowly opened his eyes. “Eh....?” He looked up at the doctor and smiled, “Thank you....Dr. Fiore....” he said sleepily as he sat up. It was late, but the doctor had been kind enough to call his parents, and come up with a cover story.

 

“Can I see him?”

 

The Doctor blinked and stared at Rene who had an excited look. “Rene....he'st still sedated...when he wakes up, he might be agitated....I'm going to put him in a cage til he wakes up.”

 

“NO!” Rene clung to the Doctors coat and looked up at him, “It took forever to get him to trust me! If you put him in a cage, he'll never trust me again! Please! I know he won't hurt me!”

 

The Doctor stared at the young boy with a stunned look. He was going to say no, because he knew if something happened to Rene, the Verona family would ruin him and his practice for killing their only son. But the look in the boy's eyes seemed to cause him to soften up. “Fine....but I'm going to be close by....just in case I have to tranquilize him....” he said softly.

 

The boy didn't seem to listen to the end of the conversation, all he knew was he got to see his friend. They made their way to the room, and the doctor rested his hand on Rene's shoulder, “You let me know if I have to come in. Alright?”

 

The boy nodded and entered the room. But he sat near the door. The wolf was slowly starting to wake up and Rene sat up straight, his eyes flickered with excitement. He waited patiently as the young wolf slowly moved and eventually got up.

 

Once the wolf was awake he started to growl at Rene. Rene remained calm as he softly talked to the wild animal.

 

“Its ok, I know....this is strange.....” the wolf walked forward, Rene getting a little fearful of the behavior, “Vuk! It's ok! We're going to set you free!” He closed his eyes a bit, but as he did, the wolf licked his face softly and walked to a bed that was set up in the corner. Rene blinked and smiled brightly as he looked up at the door, “It's ok Dr Fiore! He didn't hurt me!”

 

The doctor had a sigh of relief as he opened the door and allowed Rene to come out. “You're lucky he knows you....” he said softly. But the look on Rene's face seemed to make the doctor relax. For the young Rene was happy and seemed to be pleased with himself.

 

The doctor had taken him home and told him they would release the wolf in the morning.

 

The release ended with Rene crying a bit, for he hated to part with his four legged friend, but since that was what Rene wanted, it had to be done.

 

He thanked the doctor and ended up returning to school. Though when his school friends asked him where he had been, he simply said he wasn't feeling well. The days had gone by as he did his studies, and stared out at the forest that was near the school. He hoped and wondered if Vuk was happy, if he found his family, or even another group. A part of him was sad and hated that he had done that, but at the same time, he knew, the wolf was a wild animal, and needed to be free.

 

He spent a few days avoiding the boys who made fun of him when he had been secretly taking car of the young wolf, and ignored them when they made fun of him for the various times he fed or even took care of the feral and wild animals in the area.

 

A cloudy day after school he made his way home from school when he saw a group of boys standing around. They were laughing and giving each other Kudos, when Rene walked up.

 

“Hey! Look! It's the bleeding heart!” they joked.

 

“Shut up...” Rene said as he continued his path to go passed them and head home.

 

But Rene blinked as he noticed a boy holding a knife in his hands. Rene shoved passed the group and made his way to the middle when his eyes widened.

 

“What.....” he said as he dropped to his knees. Tears welled up in his eyes as he recognized the lifeless body of the wolf he had saved. He gently touched the wolf's head and stroked it as he clenched his teeth. 'Why......he didn't do anything......?' he thought as he choked back his tears.

 

“Stupid thing just stared like he was waiting to be killed.” a boy laughed.

 

'Waiting.....' Rene thought as he stared at the blood on his hand, he looked back angrily at the boy who was laughing, “Waiting.....” he said, his violet eyes seemed to glow with sadness and anger, “He was waiting to se me!!!!” He snapped as he jumped up and lunged at the boy.

 

There was a bunch of screaming, and the world was a blur as he punched and rolled with the boy who had made the statement. “YOU KILLED HIM! FOR NO REASON!!!!” He screamed as he continued to punch wildly.

 

The fight didn't last long as he was outnumbered by the group. Despite his berserk behavior the group managed to pull him off the boy and took turns beating Rene. It didn't last long but he found himself on his stomach as the boys finally finished and walked away from him.

 

“Why are you getting so worked up? That thing was just a wild animal....it's not like it was worth anything....” they laughed as they left.

 

Rene remained on the grass, more exhausted from the sudden burst of energy than in pain. Tears streamed down his face as he cursed himself, 'They must have found out....they just waited.....' he pounded the ground as he cried, 'I'm sorry Vuk....I'm sorry.......I'm so sorry......'

 

Once he had managed to get up, he found a secluded place and dug a hole with his bare hands. How long it took, he didn't know, he really didn't care. But he took the time to find a place he thought was beautiful, a place in the forest, but where the road could still be seen.

 

He felt it was the best place since it was still in the woods, but it was near the spot where Vuk had been waiting for him. After he had buried the friend he felt he barely knew he placed a few stones near the tree he dug the grave.

 

He remained knelt there as he cried until he could cry no more. Rene blamed himself, wondering if he should have left the young wolf alone, if he hadn't meddled maybe this wouldn't have happened. But at the same time, if he was injured Vuk may not have made it anyway. The questions that rolled around in his mind didn't ease the pain and guilt he felt. If anything, it made what he felt worse.

 

How he got home was a blur, he seemed like a zombie until he got home and his mother screamed at the sight of him. He remained silent as his mother dragged him gently to the bathroom where she tended to his wounds.

 

“Who did this to you....?” she asked as she dabbed at the blood.

 

“Some boys from school.....”

 

She blinked and paused as she looked up at him, “Why?”

 

Rene's eyes seemed to be shaded in grey as he looked blankly at his mother, “Because....I saved a wolf....” he said as tears streamed down his face.

 

His mother blinked and got a sad look, as though she understood, as though he didn't have to say anymore. She pulled him into a gentle hug as she rubbed his back.

 

“Oh Rene....honey, I'm so sorry.....”

 

“Mom.....why...? Why did they have to do that...? He didn't hurt anyone......”

 

His mother fell silent as she didn't know how to answer the question. She remained silent until she tended to his wounds and put him to bed.

 

“Rene.....sadly....not everyone in this world....are as kind and caring as you....When people are scared or fearful of something. Or they don't understand something.....they tend to do things that don't make sense....”

 

It was an unsatisfying answer, he didn't understand it, it seemed stupid to him. But his mother told him that even people, humans, could be evil, that sometimes the true monsters were humans themselves. She told him not to quit when it came to caring for the animals he found in the streets. That his actions made him a good person, that the fact he even cared about the feral animals around. He stared up at the ceiling as the moon lit the room.

 

They really are monsters.....

 

-----

 

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Local time is 4:50 am and the temperature is 21 degrees."

 

Tears stained Rene's cheeks as the announcement helped wake him up. The horrible memory he fought to keep inside had come out, due to the memory of Luis and the emotions that had resurfaced. He knew there was a big difference between a wolf, and a Vampire, but the reaction was the same. Fear, fear of the unknown, fear of the different.

 

Why did it have to be that memory...... he thought as the rest of the announcement went past him. But he gathered his stuff, and removed his suitcase from the overhead compartment. The exhaustion from everything hadn't hit him yet, but his body was moving slowly as he left the plane and exited the airport. The land around him was very different, but beautiful.

 

Luis.....I hope i'm not too late..... he thought as he made his way in the direction the note had mentioned.

[Saga]

He messed a few notes but fingers kept moving, shifting, sinking and pressing with mixed emotions into the keys. Gentle yet violent, sad yet hopeful, quiet yet loud - the piece was full of contrast. One part would make you feel so insignificant yet another part would make you feel king of earth. And again from the start, and again, and again..again and again. His fingers kept replaying the melody as if he didn't want it to end, he didn't want to let it go.

 

The vampire's lips parted, his chest getting tighter. The air was filled with sweetness, his heart was making weird beats against his chest but the rush of adrenaline he blamed it to the last call for blood.

 

His eyes slid close as he played the last part of the piece, soothing yet revealing the goodbye notes. It was just like speaking through that piano. He wondered if Anne ever understood the message of his piece - the love he held as if he saw all his world in her, the fear he held as if she was all he had and all he couldn't afford to lose, the loneliness he held whenever she greeted him with a hello and the emptiness he held whenever she greeted him with a goodbye.

 

The male exhaled, he felt a gentle trace of tear down his cheek.

 

"I am sorry, Anne. It seems I ditched classes and skipped the meal. I also dislike the vegetables."

 

His hand made the short pause in between notes to play the last, high pitched keys.

 

"But most of all..I am sorry for not being able to save you."

[KohakuShadow]

The world was still in shadow, it was cold, but he could see the sun starting to come up. Not that it would help much. It was cold, very cold, and he began to understand why Zurashi didn't come himself. Guessing he doesn't like the cold.... He thought as he made his way down the silent road.

 

His face was covered by the scarf but the white cloud of his breath still managed to escape into the air. It was beautiful even though it was so calm, silent, and cold. How like Luis..... He thought as his eyes blinked sleepily from the jet lag and time change. But he was determined to find Luis, no sleep, no exhaustion was going to stop him until he made sure Luis was safe.

 

I'm not going to let anyone stop me this time..... he thought as he continued on, he had been stopped with Vuk, but nothing would stop him now. He paused as he got to the end of the road, a wall of trees stood before him, like silent guardians. Shit.....now what..... he was about ready to sit on a fallen tree until he heard a sound.

 

“What...?” He straightned up and slowly pulled the scarf down slightly. “Is that music...?” he closed his eyes a bit as he listened carefully. It was familiar, sad, hopeful, and beautiful, his eyes opened slightly as it came to him, “That song he hummed.....” He he said hopefully, “He is here!” his dim eyes brightened a bit as he made his way into the lonely forest. He carried his suitcase with him as he continued into the forest.

 

It was now the music that guided him, he stopped looking at the note, or even trying to remember what it said, the music was his guide, for he knew it was Luis, who played the song. “He's still alive...he's still here......”

 

He huffed as the music got louder. he continued as though there was a timer on him, and to a degree, he knew there was. He leaned against a tree, panting as he squinted through the white snow. There..... he thought as he took a deep cold breath that made him cough a bit.

 

Through the pure white snow he saw it. A black piano, and the beautiful black hair of the Vampire he was after. Through pure will alone, and the new adrenaline of having found Luis, he pushed off the tree and made his way as quickly as he could through the snow.

 

“Luis! Luis!!!” he called as he finally got close enough to see that it was in fact Luis.

[Saga]

The male's hand paused, lifting his delicate fingers off the piano board. The forest somewhat resumed its liveliness, and he could hear a heart beating loudly. Was it his own? The male reached to his own chest, checking like someone who never felt such a beat.

 

A voice filled with warmth echoed, the vampire's eyes widened and he turned his body towards Rene. Was he imagining things? But that fragrance, it was strong and unbearable.

 

The vampire covered quickly his mouth, frowning as his eyes stared at the other. He was so hungry... He barely held onto his conscious.

 

- Stay..away.. Don't.. - whether it was a plead or a command, Luis couldn't tell. He just felt weak and as such he didn't know what he might do. He withstood over 400 years without the taste of fresh human's blood but right now his self-made "principles" were questioned.

 

Luis rose from the chair as leaned on the piano, slowly stepping backwards. His eyes squinting yet glowing brightly.

 

"Damn..it hurts.."

[KohakuShadow]

The music stopped as he came into view. The Vampire looked surprised to see him, and as he stood before Luis his hand gripping the suitcase tightly panting heavily. He stared at him with both relief, and anger. So many emotions began to flood into him as he stood before Luis.

 

But Luis was not happy to see him, though he expected that reaction. He took a step forward as he pulled the scarf down to reveal that it was him.

 

Stay..away.. Don't..

 

He paused as he heard Luis, the vampire stared at him, his eyes gold, like that evening that he almost got bit. But this time, he wasn't afraid, he was ready.

 

“Don't you Don't me you stubborn bastard!!!” he snapped back angrily. “I just got off a 17 hour flight, spent all this time in the forest looking for you! You don't get to run from me!” he walked over to him and stood in front of him. “And don't you dare tell me that I didn't have to!” He said pointing at him angrily, “I know I didn't. I CHOSE to find you! So you don't get to do that!” He glared at Luis, his violet eyes shined with determination, anger, and relief that Luis was alive.

[Saga]

His slit pupils grew slightly oval, the male before him...that human, was he scolding Luis? A human, scolding a vampire? The taller man's frown soothed by the nagging, suddenly all words he spoke were blurred out.

 

"So noisy..."

 

He lowered chin down then looked to side, what was he supposed to do now. In such a secluded place, where two of them were all alone - he was hungry and the human foolish enough to offer himself. Was that some kind of a joke? Was Zurashi somewhere near about to pop out and mock on his son, like always? Of course no, he would know if Zurashi were near.

 

"Ngh.."

 

His vision started getting blurred, was the sleep about to happen? His eyes started closing, the male could barely hear Rene's voice. What it was...

 

The vampire looked up to Rene, despite not listening to him he could not lie - Rene was beautiful.

 

Ah, that was it.. Beauty.

 

"So fragile.."

 

- Rene..I don't have much time.. - his throat felt dry, his ears felt that annoying buzz sound, - ..There..you can stay..So just..leave. I don't need your help..

 

Behind them the house could be seen; the male had to make sure that no snowstorm would cause the human be lost or even something worse, for Luis wasn't sure he'd be able to stay awake another minute what left for longer.

[KohakuShadow]

He panted as he watched Luis, he frowned as he watched the vampire, his head tilting slightly as he looked at him.

 

So noisy...

 

A slight smile came to his face as he walked over to Luis and sighed. “I have my moments....” he said softly as he refocused back to a frustrated look and walked over to Luis.

 

Rene..I don't have much time...There..you can stay..So just..leave. I don't need your help..

*

 

He looked back at the house then frowned at Luis as he knelt down and draped Luis' arm over his shoulder. With whatever strength he had, he pushed himself up from the ground before he slowly and carefully walked with Luis back towards the house.

 

“Shut up and accept my help.....” he said as he struggled with the task at hand. “I'm not going to let you die.....”

 

So fragile

 

He snorted as he continued his way towards the house. “I'm tougher than you think....” he said as he continued his way to the house. It seemed to take forever, but it was probably only minutes. As he entered the house, he dropped the suitcase no longer caring about it. He was now able to focus his strength on guiding Luis into the house. He looked around quickly as he could feel what strength he had starting to leave and sighed in relief as he guided Luis to the couch.

 

As the last amount of effort began to leave he managed to get Luis onto the sofa before collapsing against him. He panted heavily as he rested his body against the vampire. His hands gripping Luis' shirt as he closed his eyes a bit.

 

“I don't want you to die Luis........”