Author's Note: Okay so finally here is the fourth chapter. I hope it is enjoyable. Allura is meant to confuse the hell out of D, since he's used to a very standard behavior for vampires, so I hope he's ready for a mind-fuck in this story xD. He wont show it of course but that's where the fun is. Have fun!

Disclaimer: D and Lefty aint mine else I would be bored a lot less often.

Chapter Four: It's all fun and games

I laid down in silence for a moment. I heard voices outside, and after a moment what sounded like a one-sided quarrel ending in a freaked out yelp. I raised a brow but remained mostly impassive. I heard a tiny voice outside that peaked my interest right away. It sounded like little Emmie. I honed into my vampiric senses to listen. The soft-spoken murmurs became clear to my ears. It was definitely her.

"…My doll." she said. "Her name is Miss Daisy..she always makes me feel better when I've been sick so I thought I could give it to her to make her all better…please?" I felt a pang in my chest and a warmth like no other. I smiled weakly with a little bit of tears pricking my eyes. I heard what sounded like D kneeling down to her level. "What's your name?" he asked. "Emeline but everyone calls me Emmie." she said shyly. "That's a pretty name." he complimented. "Well Miss Emeline, Allura told me that she did not..-" I could not let him turn her away. I was unable to find it in my heart. Something told me I was going soft again. "D wait!" I tried to sit up instinctively only to feel a sharp pain again and fell back with a grunt of frustration and pain. "Wait, let her in please." I said sounding more composed. There was the sound of movement before Emmie came through the flap with D right behind her. She waved shyly at me. I smirked. She was so cute. I waved back. "I wanted to give you Miss Daisy. I'm sure you will take good care of her, and she will make you feel all better." she said in a very curt ladylike manner that almost had me laughing.

I smiled instead. "Thank you Miss Emmie." I nodded in an equally curt manner to make her feel more seriously taken. She curtsied. "I'll take her back when you are finished." she twisted the hem of her skirt as she walked out calmly with D escorting her. I chuckled. What an odd pair they made. I looked at the doll. Her hair was a gold blond like spun gold. Where had she gotten hair like that for her doll? She was carefully sown out of stockings and cotton stuffing, with a lovely little face decorated on the head. There was a finely stitched dress and an intricate little parasol. Whoever made this doll was dedicated, meticulous, talented, artistic, and careful in their craft. This doll was made out of love that much was sure. Little leather shoes similar to the ones Emmie wore were planted on the little feet. I smiled. I would give it back to her as soon as possible. What a thoughtful little child.

"Feeling better?" D suddenly reappeared. I jumped slightly. "I thought I asked you to leave." I murmured, unable to be angry anymore. "Yes, but I was curious. She really seems to like you." I looked at the doll. "..Yes." I said softly. "By the way, no. I do not feel any better. I feel like I'm being stabbed by silver repeatedly all over again." I groaned. "Sorry about that, but that was not what I meant." he said calmly. "You were upset, about Rico, and you seemed to be in a better disposition when Emeline came." he put in. "She knows what I am D." I shook my head incredulously. "I clearly remember her fear of my presence and the way she sought to protect her brother from me..brave little creature..and yet even though she has a clear understanding of my..kind she..-she wants to befriend me?" I looked back up at him. "How strange..in all my years I never- what maturity, what unconditional sweetness and understanding. Why D?" I asked as I stared up at him. "Perhaps she sees something that everyone else misses." he stoically replied. "Only a child could do something like that." I ran my fingers over the doll's hair. "Well…I suppose I do feel a bit better in that aspect, a little confused but better." I chuckled and shook my head. "If Anthony comes, please let him in." I told him.

"Are you asking me to leave again?" he questioned. I opened my mouth to answer and then thought about it. "You know?..No, no I'm not, but you can if you like." I pulled the blanket closer. "Cherie? Ally?" Rico's voice alarmed me. D tensed and looked at me. "What is it?" I asked Rico apprehensively. "I um..brought some more blood-packs, for a quicker recovery you know?" I looked at D. He stood up and walked outside. "Thank you." I smiled to myself as I called to him. D took the packs from him and placed them beside my bed. "When ever you feel just a bit hungry, eat. You will regenerate faster from the silver, the mercury has weakened your system but by feeding, you will do much better." he told me firmly. "We have no use for an injured vampire." he added in. I felt a frown take over my features but I knew he was right and he only wanted to help. I sighed once again. I seemed to be doing that a lot as of recent.

I drank absent-mindedly. I could feel my strength slowly returning. My powers slightly tickling my senses. I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling. "Mmm." A smirk took over my expression. "I see you're getting back into character." he said flatly. I frowned again. By his expression I figured that my eyes had flashed red again. He was not very different from everyone else. The only difference was that he seemed to be biased toward his human side, some sort of self-loathing perhaps? The way he looked at me filled me with a feeling that I resented. He looked at me like…everyone else. I narrowed my eyes. "Please leave." I managed a calm even tone but my expression did not changed. I hated that feeling. Regret, shame, anger, frustration, disgust, hurt,…it was all there meshed into one emotion that was indefinable in it's right. I felt that though he did not treat me different, he still thought of me the way they did. Really. Character? Character!? 'Just what did he mean by that?' I thought sarcastically. What did he know about my character?! Who did he think he was to talk!? Certainly he needed blood to survive as well at some point! What a judgmental, self-loathing, mud-blood jerk! I did not look in his direction as he exited the wagon in his usual manner. I was tempted to trip him but decided not to. That would mean acknowledging his existence.

I turned back around when he was gone. I huffed. I bit angrily into another blood-pack. I just wanted out of here. Restlessness was taking it's toll already. It was really boring in here. I felt my wound healing but it started to sting really badly so I just decided to lie down for a while. My recuperation was another period of uneventful blabber. Anthony visited and reguiled me with stories of what was going on outside with the others, and his little exploits. At some point, he had gotten into a fight with one of the other little boys over a small rabbit. The other boy had been throwing rocks at it and he protested loudly with his sister. The boy (his name was Joshua) threw a rock deliberately at Emmie and Anthony flung himself at him despite the fact that Joshua was much bigger than him. He seemed ashamed because his mother always taught him that it was bad to fight, and Emmie had even reminded him so. I told him there was nothing wrong with wanting to protect his sister. I soon recovered.

It was a full moon when I stepped gracefully out of the wagon as though nothing had happened to me. I felt good. People gave me odd stares but I ignored it. I very nearly purred with satisfaction at the cool night air. I truly felt like myself once again. "Back to normal are we?" Rico called smiling at me with a laugh. I stared at him for a moment. "…Yes. I suppose I am." I smirked, my dull stare leaving. He scratched the back of his head apologetically. He knew what I was thinking. "Look I hope you didn't think that you yourself made me uncomfortable..it was just..well. Seeing you like that was a bit difficult for me." he began to explain. I sauntered toward him soundlessly. "I knew you were still just you but…during my whole career- well I only see that behavior in things that I was taught to kill, I remember to this day every wild expression and mad stare, each demented grin, but I thought that even though you must go through blood lust as well..I don't know, it was just so hard to associate you with them. The idea that someone like you could turn into that…I thought…'Have I ever killed someone like her? Someone who was simply trying to survive, but was a far cry from evil?' It was a hard pill to swallow." he finished.

"Hmm. It is possible." I nodded in understanding. I sat beside him the way I normally did. "Ally…can you forgive me?" light blue eyes stared at me from under the rim of his hat. I stared momentarily. "What is there to forgive? It was a natural impulse." I shrugged. I had not blamed him in the first place. "Besides, it is not as though you behave like that stuck up pencil dick, D." I narrowed my eyes. "What a hypocrite." I added. He laughed. "That's good to know. What? Lover's quarrel?" he teased. "Would you stop that?" I hissed. "Alright, alright." he obliged. Smart man. "There's nothing to tell." I added standing up. "Where are you going?" he asked. "I have to return this doll to it's owner." I held up Miss Daisy for him to see. "Ah I see." he tipped his hat. "I will see you later then." He pushed the brim down over his eyes. I wafted off.

I strode over to the wagon where Emmie and a few other girls were. Anthony was probably already asleep. "Emeline." I lifted the flap. Everything went dead silent. "Allura! You're all better!" she smiled happily. "Yes. I would like to thank you for loaning me Miss Daisy..she missed you." I said calmly. The others looked on incredulously. "Your welcome." she nodded taking her back eagerly. "And…thank you for bringing her back and taking good care of her." she shyly curled a piece of hair around her finger. "You are very welcome young Miss." I chuckled. I turned to the group of glaring teenagers. "Get some sleep girls." I dryly told them with a smirk. "Pleasant dreams." I added teasingly with a subtle dangerous undertone. They cringed slightly. Those girls started to get on my nerves. Were they really that stupid? I vanished quicker than their eyes could follow.

I sighed contentedly. What a beautiful night it was. "You know, unnecessarily intimidating teenaged girls is not going to help your situation." a voice said softly. I growled before turning to face D. "Hello." I said simply. He was seated on his horse. "Why did you not wake me to do the rounds with you?" I raised a brow. "I thought I would give you a break, I was not sure whether you would wake up as soon as you did or not." he replied. "I see." I blunted. "Anyway, in regard to your previous statement, I really could not care less, it sure does feel good though." I told him indifferently. "You are upset at me." he stated more than questioned. "You are a quick one aren't you." I folded my arms. "It's good to see that your wit has not been affected by your experience." he responded. "What can I say. I am back in character after all, you know..back to the same old blood thirsty monster I usually am." I sassed. He remained impassive. "You misunderstood my intention. I did not mean it in that way." he replied. "I would have thought you understood what it felt like to be like me, maybe even more so since you are a dhampire." I huffed. "I meant you were behaving the way you usually did, I did not necessarily mean to refer to your bloodlust state." he said. "How did you think I would take it? Wow you are really terrible at social interaction." I shook my head at him incredulously. "What do you want me to say?" he calmly inquired. "Nothing." I dead-panned. "I apologize anyway." he said. "Well that is a start." I admitted. "You said you wanted me to say nothing." he raised a brow. "That does not mean I do not want you to do something." I smirked mischievously. "I'm not playing this game." D said simply, looking ahead. I rolled my eyes. "No I would not have thought so. You do not seem the type to play any games, but I will decide on your proper apology in good time. All in good time." I mock-sighed. "We will be reaching another village by morning so I suggest you sleep a bit now, we don't want to be dead tomorrow." he changed the subject. "Technically we are supposed to already bedead." I smirked. "But we aren't." he added. "True enough, but it is a jolly old folk-tale, why not let the people have their fun?" I shrugged. "Get some rest." he ordered. "I just got up." I protested. "And it is a beautiful night."

He paused and looked over his shoulder. "It is your decision." he reminded me as if to warn me of what I was doing. I huffed. "Even if I wanted to sleep, which I certainly do not, I can not since I have spent most of my time sleeping already." I stated matter of factly. He said nothing as he rode off calmly. 'Dickweed' I muttered internally. I whistled and my horse trotted up obediently, quite pleased to see me after the two nights I was out of action. I stroked his velvety muzzle absently as I mounted the saddle. He had been saddled for the past two nights? Poor thing. I briefly made a mental note that I would have to hurt Rico and kick D in the shin for this later. Now to take him out to graze a bit. He was entitled to being spoiled every once in a while. I was off.

I hurried back after a while and took off the saddle. The sun would be out soon so I needed to find cover. It looked like it was back to the wagon for me. I let out a breath and walked back to the wagon feeling dissatisfied and restless. Perhaps I would get my cloak and remain outside, but I figured it would be hot and I was not in the mood for more discomfort. So there I was, bored out of my mind sitting in a wagon, my eyes drifting shut every now and then. I thought then that perhaps sleep did not sound so bad anymore. However as I drifted off the wagon flap was opened and the faint light of dawn cascaded down into my little space. I growled softly. Had the sun been any brighter I might have been extremely irritated and angry. "Allura, get your cloak. We're here." D's voice called softly. With a tired grumble I crawled over to my cloak before snatching it up and forcing myself to stand up. I threw the only thing I had to protect me from the sun over my shoulders and sulked all the way to the exit before I leapt off the lip. D stood calmly waiting for me. "I told you to sleep when you had the chance." he stated as if reprimanding me. What was he? My father? I rolled my eyes.

I threw the hood over my head. "Who are we dropping off?" I asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice tone. "The kids that live here are ready to go with their things packed, you can see them in the front." he informed motioning with his hand. I nodded. "Oh and by the way…" I kicked him in the shin. "That was for Duster." I growled. To say D looked angry was an understatement as he stumbled from the unexpected blow. In the distance was one of the little villages coming into view. I heard children and young women chattering excitedly. Obviously they had never expected to see their little homes ever again. That was to be expected, when you are told you are going to die. I calmly walked over to see how many were leaving. Rico nodded his head and lifted his hat to me as a greeting gesture, with a big refreshed smile on his face. Well at least someone got a nice rest. I ignored my envy and nodded back before continuing on my way. As I reached them they smiled at me hesitantly with their renewed spirits. I did not really know any of them by name, just by their faces, and the sounds of their voices, and their scents.

They seemed comfortable enough around me despite their apprehension at being alone with me. I did a quick head count. There was about fifteen of them here. Eleven children, and four teenaged girls. I nodded to them with a smirk before I walked back to get my horse ready just in case. As we neared the town, people began to make an excited fuss as they noticed us. They were no doubt expecting us. A man in a wide-brimmed, black Stetson hurried out to greet the party. Two little boys leapt into his arms as he wept for joy. I felt an unfamiliar tug in my chest that I knew I had not felt in a while. His eyes met mine with a grateful nod as he walked over to me. He narrowed his eyes curiously. "Hello. Are you…the dhampire?" he inquired. I shook my head no and pointed to where D resided atop his horse. He seemed slightly surprised to see me but remained open since I had obviously assisted in the aid of rescuing his sons. "If you want to thank him you'd best go on over." I said calmly. With a tip of his hat in my direction he trotted over to my associate.

There seemed to be a short conversation between the two before the man tipped his hat to D as well and hurried off. I reared my horse in D's direction before riding over to him curiously. "What is the status mon Capitan?" I smirked. "We have an inn to stay at whilst we re-supply." he informed without looking at me. "Everybody?" I raised a brow in slight disbelief. "…Yes." he nodded. "Free of charge…they are extremely grateful." he added in a slight explanation. "I see." I nodded. "Some of us will have to watch a certain amount of the children still with us." he finally looked over his shoulder. "A few of the men have agreed." he added. "I will help." I nodded. "Just make sure I have a decent meal on hand." I added. He nodded. "The last group is in the wagon over there." he pointed. "The name of the inn is 'Ruby's' in case you were wondering." he added. With a flourish I bowed and made my way over to my wards for the day.

I lifted the canvas flaps to see the kids I was to watch over. "Yippee!!" a little voice cheered as I entered and gripped my leg in a vice-like embrace. I looked down to see little Anthony with a pleased blush on his cheeks. I sighed and shook my head as a smile came over my features. His eyes were closed and his teeth bared in an enthusiastic smile. I ruffled his hair. "Here now. That is enough of that." I chuckled gently pulling him off. I looked around at the others. Emmie gave me a shy nod and a smile. I gave her a lopsided grin and a wink. "Well now. I guess we will be heading for the inn then." I informed them lightly. We were lead by the same man that greeted us, on a pinto colored horse. People gave us odd stares. Some glared, others seemed curious, while others happily waved. Rico and the fox hounds seemed to quite enjoy the attention as they waved back and laughed heartily amongst themselves. We checked in. A small plump old woman who owned the place happily welcomed us to her place. I recognized the teenaged girl assisting her as one of the four teenaged girls who were brought here. She was probably her grand-daughter.

"Hello friends. Welcome to Ruby's. I'm assuming the couple wants to share a room?" she looked D and I over. I flushed. "No!" was my immediate response. Everyone looked in my direction as I wrung my hands in embarrassment. D cleared his throat coolly. "I wont be needing a room. I have things to attend to." he informed. "Oh well that is really a shame." she looked at me and him sympathetically. I bit my lip willing back my own cool demeanor. I grimaced. Why was everyone assuming that I-that we…never mind. "Lets see…that would be about…seven rooms I'm assuming?" she looked everyone over. "That will do nicely ducky." Rico smiled at her in a friendly manner. She gave a hearty laugh. "Alright then." she wrote our reservations down. I looked down at the children who were staring at me curiously. I felt embarrassed all over again. Oh bother. A group of children just made me nervous. I was losing my vampiric edge a bit too quickly for my own liking. Hopefully the rooms were not too small. I was so lost in my chain of quick thoughts that I barely noticed when D leaned over and gave a slight start when he told me "I'll be bringing you blood packs soon enough." I scratched behind my ear and nodded bringing up my 'normal' behavior again.

"Well then children…we'd best get you to the room. I will be sleeping. If you need anything do not hesitate to wake me." I said sincerely. Truly if there was any trouble I would have woken up immediately anyway, what with my instinct as a predator, I was naturally a light sleeper. As we entered the cozy room the children giggled excitedly. They were pleased to be in a safe room where they could play without parents to scold them. I for one simply could not stop myself from plopping onto the second bed with a contented sigh. "Mmm." I droned cuddling the pillow. I heard a giggle. "You're funny when you act silly." Anthony said bouncing slightly on the edge of the bed. His large blue eyes ever-smiling. "Hm." I smirked before closing my eyes.

The kids were more rowdy than I had anticipated. I did not get the good sleep that I had been dying for. They were probably excited to be safe for the rest of the day. Night had arrived and I was utterly drained. Rico and the others were probably asleep. Good for them. Since I would be here for some time, I felt the need to get into something far more comfortable. I went to the bathroom and changed into a simple black wife-beater and pulled boxers over my underwear. "That should do it." I said nonchalantly. "Alright then. It is time to get ready for bed little chums." I called to them. They began to scramble about to get changed and go to the bathroom. I walked into the kitchen. Urrrgh!! No breakfast. I would give that mud-blood sod a piece of my mind. "Ally, ally, ally! Do you feel better now?" Anthony tugged on my arm happily. "Yes much better." I sighed with a smile. "Now go on, wash up for bed." "Okay!" He nodded enthusiastically and toddled off. "With soap!" I called after him. "I know!" he called back with a slight groan of annoyance in his voice. "I never knew you were so maternal." a voice startled me. "AHHH!! D what is the matter with you!?" I placed a hand over my chest and stomped my foot while hitting the counter with my free hand. "Your pack." he handed me the red bag. "About time." I snatched it. I sauntered into the 'living room' and sat on a chair sipping on the blood pack absently. "Do you wear this kind of stuff often?" he motioned to my attire.

"I wanted to get comfortable. I'm sorry if I don't walk around my apartment in heels and corsets." I said simply with a shrug. " And in response to your previous comment neither did I… heh, perhaps this 'mommy groove' I'm going through is just some sort of maternal instinct that I am just now discovering." There was a moment of silence. "And you, oh mighty dhampire who never sleeps?" I looked at him. Exhaustion was plainly written in his expression. "You look dreadful. Dead even." I giggled. "Care for a nap? I believe the kids would not mind the extra company, and what's one more baby for me to watch over?" I teased. He rolled his eyes and sat on a sofa. I stood up and sat on the arm beside him. "What? Are you simply trying to show off your masculinity by not sleeping? It is not working you know." I pinched his cheek. He brushed me off, calmly, yet in a way that put a clear message across. No touching. I rolled my eyes. "Hello mister dhampire." Emmie greeted sleepily as she curled up on one of the beds. A few other girls joined her. The children began to file out of the bathroom as a few took their turns. D said nothing as he sat there. I began to ignore his presence.

Soon, there was a complete group of children sound asleep on the floor and on the beds. No sooner had that happened when I felt something plop onto my thigh. I gave a start and looked to see a certain dhampire hunter's head, dead asleep on my leg. So much for no touching. I laughed quietly. Well he certainly would not hear the end of this from me. There was a knock before the door opened right away. Much to my chagrin. "Miss-I just-oh! um never mind, pardon the intrusion." the inn keepers grand-daughter went quiet noting the sight before her, blushing. There he was with his head in my lap and me about to push him off appeared more like and affectionate caress to his face. She closed the door hurriedly. Oh no. I smacked a hand to my forehead. D stirred. Then in a sudden movement of realization he bolted upright with a look of horror on his face. "Oh come now, it's not that horrible. Do not be so dramatic." I scoffed. Children began to drop like flies beside him taking up all the space. He said nothing only stood up and walked toward my bed. "Oh yes make yourself at home." I murmured sarcastically. "I'm going to take a nap." he responded simply. "And what if I wanted to take a nap?" I folded my arms. "Do you?" he inquired with hint of boredom in his tone. "Maybe I do now if I did not before." I huffed standing up. "You just woke up." he blunted. "I did not. I have been watching children all day do you truly believe that I got any sleep?" I folded my arms.

He opened his eyes. "I will sleep on the floor." he stood up wearily. I felt a bit guilty. I was really just being possessive over my bed that's all. If he had wanted to sleep on something comfortable it wasn't fair of me to just kick him off. He had been through just as much as I had. Besides there were so many children on the other bed and on the floor that there was no room for tall dark and deadly. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "You don't have to, just…sleep." I grunted dismissively. "What about you?" he raised a brow. "I don't know…I.." "We can share…that is if it does not bother you." he offered tiredly. I felt a slight drop in my stomach. My first instinct was to say 'Are you crazy?' but I refrained. I was worried that someone else would come in and find us sharing a bed. How horrible would that be. My reputation would be ruined. I thought for a moment. "I see no other option." I sighed in defeat. "Just sleep head to foot and it will not be so awkward." he replied. "So I can wake up with your feet?" I raised a brow. "Do you have a better option? Face the other side then." he retorted.

"Fine…" I sat on the edge with my nose in the air and my back straightened proudly. He placed his hat over his eyes. I rolled my eyes once again. ( I seemed to be doing that a lot around him.) I hesitantly slipped under the blanket making sure not to look at him and faced my back toward him. I felt him shift slightly and his hand brushed against my leg for a split second before pulling away as if burned, causing him to nearly fall off the edge of the bed. I felt myself turn red, but I had to laugh at the obvious embarrassment that I sensed on his part. He was more embarrassed than I was. I covered my face with the blanket and my shoulders shook with silent laughter. My spasms only grew when I looked at him briefly and he was frowning trying to ignore my laughter as he angrily turned over and lowered his hat over his eyes. Warm tears slid down my face before I finally calmed down. He had actually reacted somehow. Wow. It was time to see if I could make him lose it.

Little Anthony now awake, silently walked over and tugged on my arm. "I had a bad dream about my mommy…can I sleep with you?" he asked. I sighed and nodded before we were soon joined by Emmy. D did not seem to really react, and it was a pleasant change from being alone in a bed with him. Now it would not seem as awkward. I closed my eyes and prepared to sleep.

Author's Note: D is really in for it. Allura is really a handful and he shall soon learn just how bitchy she can be. Review!!!

Shout outs:

VampirehunterDfan217: Glad you like it. Lol I'll do my best. I figured it would be a challenge to make D fall for a vampiress due to his prejudice against vampires. So I thought hey let me try to pull it off. Hopefully their relationship can be convincing.