Sorry this took ages to update . . . . I haven't really felt like writing recently, this chapter will probably be quite short as I'm not 100 % sure on the plot yet . . . .

Enjoy =)

'I'm turning myself into somebody else'

Mikan's POV

Burnt cinnamon. It was always a scent I detested, I have no idea why, it's just too sharp . . . I had a habit of coughing whenever I inhaled it and this time was no exception . . . . . then again dead people don't cough nor do they breathe.

My eyes snapped open and the coughing continued mixed with a strange gurgling sound, groggily I assessed my situation. The rough wooden decking under my fingertips and the roaring of the sea told me that I was on a ship, I stretched my neck attempting to catch a glimpse of the ships flag but a strong bout of coughing prevented me from doing so, a hand gently rolled me onto my side and encouraged me to continue coughing. It was then that I realised that the water surrounding me on the deck was not only coming from the heavens above, but it was also exiting my mouth between coughs. Once the coughing had subsided I sat upright attempting to identify my rescuer or should that be rescuers?

The figures of a young woman in her early twenties and a young man of a similar age, greeted me as I quickly swept my gaze around the deck. I smiled meekly as the woman took a step towards me and opened my mouth to thank her; the words froze in my throat when I saw her eyes. The irises were a strange shade of pink . . . . No! It was too dark to be pink . . . scarlet. The irises of her eyes were a shocking shade of scarlet. Adrenaline shot through my system as I scrambled away from her and jumped to my feet. A sad look briefly flashed across her face before it reverted back to being sympathetic and she outstretched her hand, 'It's okay, we won't hurt you'. She smiled exposing her teeth; they gleamed brightly under the light of the moon. Focusing my vision I noticed two were slightly elongated on either side of her mouth.

Fangs.

I ran.

This can't be happening . . . Ji-chan this can't be real . . . It has to be a dream ... LET IT BE A DREAM!

I threw my weight against the nearest door and stumbled though, using the door frame I propelled myself forward following the plush red carpet that lined the hallway, the ship was quite the only sound was that of my own bare feet thudding at an inconstant pace against the floor. At the end of the hallway there appeared to be a hatch leading to the lower part of the ship, without slowing down I leapt down the steps and continued to run. I allowed myself a quick glance over my shoulder, true enough the unknown figures were following me in pursuit. Whipping my head back around I launched myself through the next door and slammed it shut turning the key that was in the lock. Fists pounded against the door and I backed away into a worn wooden kitchen island unit, knocking off stainless steel utensils in the process. Crouching down I selected a large sharp knife and retreated to the other side of the kitchen island that was in the central of the room, all the time keeping my gaze trailed on the door, the pounding of fists had stopped and I clutched the knife tighter in an attempt to maintain my grip.

The key in the lock turned and I inhaled sharply as the door knob slowly turned. My two pursuers stood behind a third figure. Of course I rolled my eyes inwardly he had to be drop dead gorgeous, but that didn't change the fact that he had crimson eyes and I'd bet he had a set of pearly white teeth complete with fangs under those lips that were turned upwards into a smirk.

Why is he smirking . . . ?

He walked slowly towards me eyeing the weapon in my hand.

'Stop! Stay where you are.' my voice shook as I spoke. He raised both hands in a mock surrender and closed the gap between us 'I'm not joking! I'll stab yo...'

He stepped into the blade and I released my grip leaving the handle producing from his chest bringing my hand up to my mouth in horror. Reaching up with his left hand he tore the blade out of his own chest letting it fall to the floor. I made a sprint for the door, he snapped out his right arm and caught me around the waist pulling me against his chest, my vision was obscured slightly by a small piece of cloth that he held to my nose, I struggled against his grip breathing in the sickly sweet scent.

'No . . . please . . . . . don't'

Natsume's POV

She slumped unconscious in my arms in a matter of seconds and a wave of guilt washed over me, this was the way it had to be.

'Was the human that hard to handle between the two of you?' I asked my companions who were eyeing their feet sheepishly.

Mikans POV

'Put it down there . . . . it will fit her, it's not as if it fits me anymore'

Groggily I opened my eyes, my head pounding.

'Drink' a voice commanded, pushing a glass of cloudy water into my hand. Complying I swallowed the liquid eyeing the stranger carefully. His eyes sparkled as he smiled and I flinched, his smile evaporated instantly realizing my unease.

'Don't worry, unlike some around here I don't bite' he winked and I felt a small laugh trickle through my lips, he extended his hand 'Koko'

'Mikan'

'Mikan, that's unusual . . what's your last name?' A woman broke the conversation and my eyes flashed towards her. She twitched impatiently at my silence, 'No… you can't be, you're not Mikan Y….'

'Sakura, my last name is Sakura.'

'Well Sakura it's time for you to get dressed, we don't take kindly to stowaways aboard this ship, Koko out'

Koko saluted to the woman and left after laughing a word of warning, 'Be careful Sumire does bite!'.

Sumire ushered me out of bed and helped me don an elegant red satin dress, pushing me down onto a stool in front of a vanity table she started to fix my hair, the door opened softly and I shivered at the small breeze of air. Misaki will sort your make-up, I turned to face the woman from the deck smiling brightly. 'Sorry about the scare earlier', she apologized and started applying a thin layer of make-up onto my face.

'Are you going to kill me?', I addressed the two vampires who were treating me as a porcelain doll.

They eyed each other cautiously, Sumire kneeled in front of me and placed a cold hand on my bare shoulder. 'Look honey…'

The door abruptly opened and she turned to face the intruder, 'Natsume-sama'.

My body stiffened as he strode over and grabbed me by the elbow pulled me to my feet and steered my body towards the door. 'Your work here is done. Sumire, Misaki I suggest you prepare for the feast, you're both looking rather hungry'

They nodded, as I was shoved over the threshold to the carpeted corridor Sumires voice echoed through the room sending chills down my body, 'Don't let the captain ruin our hard work'.

'I tremble

They're going to eat me alive

If I stumble

They're going to eat me alive'

'Keep moving', his voice was cold and I crossed my arms placing my feet firmly on the floor reluctant to move.

'Why should I listen to you?'

He flashed me a smirk and I was reminded that sharp fangs were hidden beneath his lips, 'Do I really need to answer that question?'

I steeled myself against his gaze and had to force my feet not to take a step back when he approached me, he leaned forward and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. A small breeze stirred the loose curls cascading down my right shoulder and in a split second I found myself thrown into the wooden wall pinned by a tall, muscular body. A pale hand reached towards my face when a hand adorning a beautifully old family crest ring grasped a hold of it and twisted the hand back with a sickening snap, I grimaced away from the image and followed my saviour's hand scrunching my forehead in confusion when I found Natsume snarling in disgust, 'get away from the girl'. Looking up to my detainee, my breath caught in my throat he was beautiful. But then again so where all the other vampires I had laid eyes upon. His stare bore into my eyes and I felt myself unable to move and break away from his gaze, my head tilted to the side involuntarily exposing my neck. The stranger lunged for my neck, my heart rate increased threatening to break out of my ribcage and a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins allowing me to regain control of my muscles. My head whipped around in one smooth movement and I let my legs go weak dropping my neck out of the strangers range, his head hit the wooden boards with a splintering sound and he was thrown down the hallway by Natsume.

I was yanked roughly to my feet and quickly escorted through an old heavy wooden door, 'Let go of me' I squirmed attempting to yank my arm out of his grasp once we were safely inside.

'Ah . . . . . . You must be the shipwrecked girl, Mikan am I right? You've caused quite a stir aboard my ship'

Natsume threw me forward lightly and I stumbled towards the chart covered desk, indicating to the lone chair in front of the desk the captain chuckled, 'Take no notice of Hyuga-kun, he's a real gentleman at heart, ne Natsume?'

I smiled nervously as he continued leaning forward, his elbows scattering the paper charts mounted on his desk, 'Now what to do with you . . . .'

He stood up and circled the desk, coming to stand behind me placing his hands on my bare shoulders and I shivered, 'You have two choices my dear; firstly you can leave this ship, we can drop you off at the next port and you won't remember a thing . . . or' he paused dramatically 'you can stay aboard this ship, become a part of the crew but for a price . .'

He crouched down to whisper in my ear, 'I know your secret Mikan Sakura . . . Or should I say Yukihara . . . and the price is your blood'

Enjoy and let me know what you think I don't know how interested people are in this =) x