Author's Note: So, I did end up with a chapter two :D I also am very sure I'll be adding a chapter three because, well, I have ideas. Enjoy everyone, and please review, because I want to know what you all think :)

Eric sat hunched over a table, frantically scanning through an ancient looking book in the corner of an almost deserted library. Having no resources anywhere else, the senior Shinigami had resorted to returning to the Academy and searching through the extensive library that he had rarely visited as a student. In fact, Eric was quite sure that he had spent more time in this library in the past week than he did in his years of schooling. Oh well, things are funny like that sometimes.

There were thousands of books contained in this one library. Nothing compared to the millions upon millions in the Grim Reaper Library, but the Academy library was certainly nothing to sneeze at. That was why Eric was here, because one of the books out of the thousands contained within these walls had to hold the answer.

As the blond flipped through the enormous, ancient book, he scanned each page carefully, praying for some mention what he was looking for. Even a note that somebody had scribbled in on the sides would be of help. He just needed a clue, a hint, something to tell him what to do. This was one of the library's oldest and most valuable books, so if it was anywhere, it would probably be in here.

"C'mon, dammit, where are you?" Eric growled lowly at the pages, somewhat faded yellow with time. There had to be something...

Wait, was that it?

Eric turned back to the page he had so carelessly turned past, thinking it would hold nothing, as the others had. But no, there it was. There, finally, was what he was looking for.

The Thorns of Death

The blond swallowed, thankful that he had finally found something on them, but scared about what he would read. Still, he read on. This was his chance.

Thorns of Death

A rare condition, the Thorns are exclusive to only Grim Reapers. Characteristics of the thorns include random, violent, seizure-like episodes, during with the effected person will lose almost all strength in their body, cough, and often spasm uncontrollably. These usually occur when a Shinigami is under an immense time of stress or is extremely tired. However, they often happen with no warning or explanation.

Eric almost scoffed. This book didn't tell the half of it. The blond had witnessed more than his fare share of attacks, and he knew how bad they could be. Alan described it as a fire ripping through every limb of his body until he thought he may just fall apart while his lungs collapsed. Still, as sugar-coated as this book seemed to be, Eric kept reading.

Another characteristic of an infected Shinigami would be a series of connected, gnarling scars, usually starting somewhere on the arm or shoulder, that have a very thorn-like appearance. The longer a Reaper is effected by the Thorns, the longer, larger, and more gnarled the scars will become. After so long, the scars will reach the effected Reaper's heart, in which case the next attack will be fatal.

Eric gripped the edges of the table rightly, thinking that it was a miracle the wood hadn't broken yet, what with how old it was. This wasn't what he needed, so he kept going, trying desperately to ignore the last sentences about... the fatal attack. There had to be more; this he already knew. He read on.

There is no exact cause known for The Thorns of Death, and many mysteries surround it. However, it has been around as long as Grim Reapers themselves, so it is not a new development. It is speculated, and widely believed, that the Thorns are caused when a Shinigami reaps a vengeful soul, and the Cinematic Record enters their body, causing significant damage. A sort of curse form the dead. However, again, as is speculation, and there is no definite way to tell how one contracts the fatal disease.

Just as there is no known cause, there is no known cure.

Eric's heart sank.

No person in record history has ever been cured of the Thorns, or lived past the span of a few years after contracting it.

It sunk even more.

However, there is an old legend about the Thorns of Death, that states if one was to collect 1000 pure and innocent souls, and exchange them for the infected soul of the Shinigami, the effected Reaper would be spared his or her fate, and completely cured. However, this, again, is a legend, and should not be taken seriously on any account.

Eric stared at the words printed on the paper, awestruck. Had he read it correctly? Why yes, yes he had. A thousand pure souls. A thousand pure and innocent souls. If he could collect them, he could exchange them and save Alan.

But it's only a fable, the rational half of his brain reasoned.

So what? It's a chance. Maybe it'll save Alan. Maybe this is the one thing I can use to save him.

He read over the paragraph a few more times, committing it to memory. A thousand souls. He had collect a thousand pure and innocent souls; those of women and children. If he could do that before the Thorns launched their final, deadly attack on Alan's body, then he would be saved!

Standing up quickly, Eric closed the book and left it on the table. Someone else would get it and put it back where it belonged; that wasn't his problem. The only thing Eric wanted to concern himself with tonight was getting to Alan's flat in time to eat the leftovers of the meal he had surely made at least an extra helping of. Then, as they did every night, Alan would read a book while Eric worked on paperwork that he had had to bring home since he hadn't finished it at the office. After Eric either finished the work or got bored out of his mind, whichever came first, the two would either retire to bed for sleep, or quite possibly, a love-making session. Alan had said he was really tired after work, so it was more likely they'd just go to bed.

Yes, Eric decided, that was how tonight would go. He would have one more perfect, normal night with his lover, before he became a killer.

A killer... Eric almost laughed. He never thought he'd think that about himself, especially not so calmly. But Eric reasoned that humans die every day, and these thousand would die for a cause, rather than just pass on, living and dying for no reason.

To anyone else, these thoughts would seem crazy, and maybe they were, but Eric was determined. He would save Alan, whatever the cost.

Eric stuffed his hands in his pockets as he stepped out into the chilly night air. Looking around, he began the walk back to his lover's flat, knowing that he had to keep his plan a secret from everyone, including the one he was trying to save. He could find out after the thousand souls had been collected, after he had saved his life. At least then he couldn't stop him, or at least try to, because Eric refused to stop, he refused to give up this hope. He would save him.

His best friend.

His lover.

His light.