PROLOGUE
Yumi's View
"Yumi!" said Sachiko worriedly as I stumbled down the stairs in the Rose Mansion. I felt her hands grab my shoulders, steadying me as she asked, "Are you alright? You're acting strange."
"I haven't been sleeping well, Onee-sama," I said as I shook my head to clear the fog from my head. "I also haven't been feeling well since that trip to Okinawa."
"I forgot that you had taken that trip," said Sachiko as she adjusted my neckerchief. "You were gone, however, for an additional week."
"Oh, there was a death in my family," I said quickly before I felt myself being pulled.
I was taken aback when I felt Sachiko hugging me. She had never showed any display of affection, public or private. I was so stunned that I didn't move. Sachiko was about to pull away before I finally regained enough of my senses to pull her back into a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Onee-sama," I whispered lovingly. 'I just wish you would see me as a lover because I love you.'
"I'll give you a ride home, Yumi," said Sachiko as she led me by the hand to the limosine that was always waiting for her.
"I still wanna go with you on that date tomorrow, Onee-sama," I said once we were in the limo.
She told the driver my address before turning to me and saying, "Are you sure? I would rather you stay in bed if you are ill."
"I should be fine by morning, Onee-sama," I said as the limo pulled up in front of my house. "Would you like to meet around 10 at the subway?"
She was silent for what seemed like forever before sighing and saying, "Alright, but the second I see anything off—"
"We will come back," I finished before I was pulled into a hug. "Please stop worrying, Onee-sama!"
I was then pulled into a tight embrace before she whispered, "I love you, Yumi. I don't want you to do anything reckless."
"I promise I won't, Onee-sama," I said as I returned the hug. 'I'm being reckless just by being close to you. I still don't understand this connection I feel with you. I need to stay away, but I don't want to.'
Sachikos View
"Yumi?" I asked as we left the café. "Is something wrong?"
Yumi shook her head, not even looking at me. I grabbed her chin between my thumb and index finger and pulled, forcing her to look at me. The look I saw in her eyes was one of fear, love, and desire while her face was contorted in pain. I was confused because this was something I had never seen before. I gasped when I saw her teeth lengthen to a point.
"Yumi?" I asked as my thumb brushed over a tooth.
Yumi jumped at my action before pushing me away. I managed to regain my balance just as she disappeared into the crowd. I looked at my watch to see I had to be back at the station in the next 20 minutes. I called my driver to let him know that I wasn't going to be back on time because Yumi ran off, and I was going to look for her.
I then remembered Yumi said something about a park earlier that day, so I retraced my steps. It was growing late once I reached the park, the only source of light being lamps. I listened carefully as I heard the sound of tears, unable to pin point its exact location. Within a few seconds, the smell of blood filled my nostrils, causing my instincts to drive me to follow it. I then found Yumi hiding behind a tree.
"Yumi," I called softly as I walked over the bushes towards her.
"Stay away!" snarled Yumi, causing me to freeze.
I was startled at the fact that she snarled at me. I wasn't sure how to proceed, so I walked forward and sat down on one said of the tree. From this position, we could only see each other's sides. She growled at me threateningly as I reached my hand out and covered hers. I could feel more hair on her hands than there was a few minutes ago.
"Please listen to me, Yumi," I said before her growling ceased. "I'm not sure why you ran, but whatever the reason is, I want to help you."
I heard the rustling of clothing behind me before I felt hot breath on my ear as she growled, "You won't even ask me what's my reason?"
"I trust you," I said as I felt her withdraw her hand from me.
"Onee-sama, look," growled Yumi quietly.
I turned to see Yumi's eyes were completely dominated by her brown pupils which were now flecked with grey. Her skin was covered in patches of brown hair still growing. Her nails had grown out and curved slightly. I could tell she was scratching herself to lessen the pain, but it seemed to do the opposite. I reached out a hand and rested it upon her cheek, causing her to look up at me with tears in her eyes.
"I'm a wolf, Onee-sama!" she growled as she pulled away from my hand. "I'm a monster! I don't deserve to be anywhere near you!"
"Yumi, look at me," I said as I gingerly rested my hand on her cheek. When she didn't, I leaned in close enough in her to whisper, "Please, Yumi."
She slowly looked up at me before I pressed my lips to hers. I could tell that she was shocked but was soon reciprocating the kiss. It was slow, gentle, and loving like I had imagined in all my dreams of us together. When I pulled away, I slowly opened my eyes to see love and adoration in those brown eyes that I had come to love.
"You don't deserve to be alone," I said as I rested my forehead against hers. "If you're a monster, then so am I."
"How can you say something like that?" she whined as shock appeared in her eyes. "You're not a—"
She froze midsentence as she watched me open my mouth slightly. I could feel my fangs growing slowly until they grew to their full inch length. I blinked as I saw shock give way to awe and fear. I grabbed her hand and pressed a finger against one of my fangs.
"Onee-sama, you're a vampire?" she gasped as she moved her hand to my hand. "I can't believe it!"
"I may be a vampire," I stared as my fingers intertwined with hers, "but I'm still me. Always have been and always will be."
I froze as she cringed before gasping, "Run!"
Before I could react, I was tackled to the ground, knocking the breath right out of me. I opened my eyes come face to face with a wolf whose paws were resting on my upper arms and calves. Black eyes stared at me as white fangs shined in the moonlight, snarling at me in anger. I slowly reached my hand up and touched the chocolate brown fur on its left foreleg before stopping at the white forepaw. I gently caressed it, marveling at the silky texture of the 3-inch-long fur.
"So soft," I whispered in awe, tenderly removing her paw before resting my hand on her muzzle. "Strong and brave, yet weak and fearful. So gentle and loving. You're all those things and so much more, Yumi. They are the reasons that I love you."
The wolf standing over me stopped growling and blinked a few times. She then leaned down and licked my cheek a few times before nipping my ear, causing me to gasp and shiver. She leaned back up and smiled before her black eyes turned back to her regular eye color. She bit my forearm hard, causing me to hiss in pain as blood trickled down my arm.
You love me? asked Yumi timidly, her thoughts echoing in my head. You really love me?
"Of course!" I said as I sat up. "You mean everything to me, Yumi! Being a wolf doesn't change how I feel about you! You are still you!"
I could feel tears running down my cheeks by then. I was overjoyed she felt the same about me that I felt about her . Yumi tenderly licked my cheeks before touching nuzzling her nose against my neck. I wrapped my arms around her neck and inhaled her new earthy scent, memorizing it through and through.
Onee-sama? she asked before I pulled away to look her in the eyes. Will you be my girlfriend?
"I'll tell you if you transformed back," I said, smiling as her flatten to indicate she was pouting.
Yumi shivered before she looked human again. I then knocked her to the ground and kissed her, shocking her once again. In a few seconds, she kissed back with so much tenderness that it surprised me. When our lungs finally screamed for oxygen, we pulled away panting heavily.
"Onee-sama your fangs have grown," said Yumi as she pricked a finger on one of my fangs.
I could feel something stir inside me as the scent of Yumi's blood reached my nose. I slowly leaned down and licked her finger, my thirst for blood getting the better of me. I then moved up to her neck and licked her skin, making her shiver. I pulled back, trying to find some semblance of control. Finding none, I leaned back in and sank my fangs into her tender flesh. I felt a rush of warm liquid flowing into my mouth. I didn't know what it was, but wanted more. I drank more as I heard Yumi moaning louder.
Then, the smell of burning flesh hit my nose. I didn't think much of it until I heard a pained whimpering. I pulled away from Yumi quickly just in time to see some kind of tribal pattern burning itself into her right shoulder. I kissed her shoulder lightly before she rested her forehead against mine.
"What is this?" asked Yumi quietly.
"I'm not sure what it is, Yumi," I said as I raised my head in the direction of the park entrance.
Standing there was a man with a shaved head. He wore a black business suit and a cap. I knew the man as my driver. He held out his hand to me with a smile before helping the both of us to our feet.
"Kai, we need to go Yumi's house," I said as he led me to the car where the door was open and waiting. "How did you know where to find me?"
"Followed Fukuzawa-sama's scent," said Kai as we all slid into the car. "You've marked her."
"Pardon?" I asked confused as he pulled away and merged into the traffic.
"That mark on her shoulder is what vampires use to mark anyone as someone they are dating," said Kai nonchalantly. "I called the Fukuzawa residence and told them that we would be arriving shortly."
"Thank you, Kai," I said as I brushed some of Yumi's hair out of her face. "Yumi, rest well."
"Okay, Sachiko," mumbled Yumi before closing her eyes to sleep.
"Kai, please send my apologies to my parents," I said as I stroked Yumi's hair and arms softly. "I wish to stay with Yumi to make sure that she's alright."
"As you wish, Ogasawara-sama," said Kai quietly.
A/N: Okay this will officially be the last story I will think about posting for a while. I've got other important stuff to take care of.