Author notes: Wow the fourth chapter. I'm really loving this story. As usual I only own the fic and my demented imagination. Reviews are definitely encouraged. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Four

Unfortunately her forever didn't even last past the next morning. Yuna stretched her sore muscles as she looked out her window to greet the shining sunlight. She felt at her side for a body that she knew wouldn't be there and frowned. Groaning she sat up and looked around the room. Somehow she felt more aware, as if her senses had been turned up just a little bit.

She took a shower quickly and dressed in shorts and a tank. She thought that the house was eerily quiet and walked down shouting to see if anyone was around. To her surprise no one else was in the house with her and shrugged it off. She found herself in the kitchen making breakfast for herself and found a letter addressed to her on the tabletop. It was from Rikku, and Yuna always knew to sniff it before even opening it. Rikku had a habit of leaving perfumes that would address if the news was horrific or alright.

Sniffing it to find peppermint she instantly knew that it would be a mixture or worry and not, and to take some sort of precaution afterwards. She opened the letter blinking a few times in order to fully register what she was reading. It read:

"Hey Yunie,

By the time you read this all of us will have gone our separate ways. I decided to stay with Gippal for the night and Paine had left shortly after she 'put you to bed.' I hope to hear some details of what went on between the two of you when we get a chance to talk! But in any case, I do have some things to tell you…you may not like it Yunie but you really do need to be careful from now on.

Gippal told me that there is something going on with the Crimson Vampire Squad. He said it's not even safe for Paine at the moment and that's why he was strongly against letting her go. He was worried the moment she left the house and I didn't know what to do. As of now he's talking to her through the phone trying to make sure she isn't going to do anything stupid.

I overheard them talking a bit before she left about this mysterious Nooj that they know. Apparently he's their Head Cheese and he definitely likes to run things. He's a bit of gambler and he stakes his life and his vampire's lives. I'm not too sure if he would risk Paine seeing as how she's the second up but again…I'm not sure.

Gippal is definitely struggling between going to Nooj himself and trying to get Paine out of the whole fiasco of whatever the hell happened. I just hope he does something soon. Oh crap, I have to sign this already, he's done talking. Be careful Yunie. Call me when you wake up okay? I might have some more info for you.

Love,

Rikku"

Yuna ran to call Rikku and the other end rang endlessly. "Come on…come on…" She was holding the receiver so tightly digging her nails into it as if clutching it were the only thing she should be doing. She waited for what seemed like forever when she heard a groggy reply on the other end.

"Hello?" "Gippal? It's Yuna, where's Rikku?"

"Yuna?"

She guessed he must've shook off the sleep and became fully alert at the mention of her name.

"I'll wake her up, hold on."

Yuna heard shuffling from the other end and Rikku's groggy reply to Gippal. "Yunie?"

"Rikku, what was up with the letter?" It went quiet for a moment and Yuna imagined Rikku thinking what she was talking about.

She could hear Rikku getting away from Gippal and saying they had to talk about "girl things." Clearly, Gippal was not supposed to know about that letter. "Whoa, the hallway looks so different when you wake up with a killer headache."

"Rikku? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just had too much to drink after we left your place last night. It was a really crazy night."

"Crazy night?"

"Big time, a lot happened after we left."

"Like what?"

Rikku sighed audibly and her voice became a whisper. "Paine is in some sort of trouble." Yuna clutched the receiver harshly again. Her palms were beginning to turn white and her stomach churned, she hoped whatever happened didn't go too bad.

"What kind of trouble?"

"Not exactly sure, but after I wrote the note and we left, we went to Paine's house and no one was home."

"Maybe she was asleep?"

"That's the problem. Gippal went to check, and her sleeping place was empty. We searched the whole house and there was not a single person in it besides me and Gippal." Yuna went quiet with a million thoughts rushing through her mind. She slid down from where she was standing on a wall having her legs give out and bring her to the floor. She was praying that Paine was safe.

"Yuna?"

"Y-Yeah. Still here."

"I'm sorry, we didn't exactly find out where she went, but I think she went to Nooj. Gippal was so pissed that he almost wanted to wreck the place, but he decided against it in case if Paine came home and wanted to snap his neck. We left the place and he got a text message. He said, he has business tomorrow, or rather tonight. Yunie…we have to follow."

Yuna blinked a few times, wondering if this was the right thing to do. She shook herself then replied with, "okay." After her response Rikku told her she'd call her cellphone when Gippal was getting ready to leave and they would pick a rendezvous point. Yuna didn't really pay attention to those details, she was only thinking if her crimson-eyed vampire was safe or if she wasn't, what was going on.

She still sat on the floor after Rikku hung up with her. She felt like she didn't have the strength to really get up. While she was just sitting there thinking of horrible ways her interest may be tortured she had a very cold sensation tickle the back of her neck. Soon the sensation slid all the way around her body and inside of her and her vision went blurry.

The ground swiveled beneath her and it felt like she was swimming through a current of some sort and then suddenly stopped. Her vision magnified times ten and found herself in a club. She looked around and could see Paine standing before a man with long brown hair and a pair of glasses leaning forward with a cane. Yuna thought that he must be the leader Nooj.

"Have you received any new information Paine?"

"None. I don't expect to receive any after the fact we have hushed up the attack on the human. It will not look good for us. What did you expect after that? Sooner or later however it will not go unnoticed. This has to stop and it has to stop now."

"Ordering me around as if you are Chief? I know that you are my second in command and I value your input more than others. But the way I handle situations is very precise."

"Nooj, we are going to damage our reputation if things become unruly. Surely, you can understand that." Yuna watched as Nooj shifted in his chair and glared at the crimson eyed vampire. Yuna could feel her breath hitch in her throat as panic struck her. She hoped that Paine wouldn't do anything stupid and cause a scene. But from the looks of it, Nooj didn't seem happy that Paine was addressing him in such a manner.

"I will take your words into consideration. But that is all. I will not discuss it further with you."

"So you're going to keep me in the dark."

"You are guarding a human, and you hope that will not be hurt. Maybe you're judgment is clouded by this human." Yuna watched Paine bite back a retort. She was clearly angry about Nooj even guessing at the fact that she was associating with a human. Yuna wanted to reach out and touch her but she was paralyzed in her spot. She couldn't understand if she was watching what was happening miles away from her or if she merely transported herself into the situation. But no one acknowledged her presence. It was completely odd.

"Nooj…"

"I will think about these things. Go back to your precious human." Before Paine had a chance to say anything she was merely thrown out by a wave of Nooj's hand. Yuna gasped as her interested flew out of the room and her vision went cloudy until she blinked back and found herself in the same place as she was a while ago, the floor of her home.

She got up on shaky legs and looked at the time. Three hours had passed since she talked to Rikku. She stared at the clock in disbelief then went upstairs to find much more suitable clothing when she decided to go out with Rikku tonight. Yuna prayed that Paine would be alright after the vision she just received.

An hour or so later Rikku called her. "Yunie! I'm going to come over to the house. We can't follow Gippal. I'll tell you everything as soon as I reach you. But do not open the door for anyone. When I get there I need you to ask me what my father's name and what he does for a living. But you can't open the door until I answer, okay?"

"What, Rikku? That doesn't make any sense."

"Just do it Yunie, I'm on my way. Just don't open the door to anyone. Promise me!"

Yuna could feel her hand shaking and she was wondering why Rikku's tone was so forceful and a bit…scared?

"Yunie!"

"Okay…I promise. Just hurry."

They both hung up again and Yuna's mind was swimming with various scenarios. Did something happen to Gippal? Was the vision she had real? Where the hell was Paine? What was up with the Crimson Vampire Squad? Was she in grave danger? Yuna sat in her living room contemplating everything and decided maybe she should continue her writing. She sat with the laptop perched upon her lap as she decided to think about her experience of Paine feeding from her. She felt herself grow hot and the tingling sensation spread throughout her body again.

All she had to do was remember and it was like they were having sex all over again. Yuna smiled to herself. She really wished they would be able to do it again soon. It wasn't unpleasant at all. She wondered maybe that was the reason that people were so afraid of vampires. Maybe it was the amount of pleasure they could give from something so dangerous. But then again, humans can be dangerous too, so why do people see vampires as a completely different species?

She sat there for a long time typing her feelings into the article trying to assuage her audience that vampires were merely people who had a different culture. It wasn't a culture like a different language, unless they might have one, she wasn't sure. But it was a culture that was completely foreign and deserved some respect. They have been trying hard to assimilate into regular human society, so why not give them a try.

Then Yuna noticed she put too much of herself into the article. It almost sounded as if she were in love with a vampire. Not that she would deny the fact that she did harbor feelings for a certain vampire, but it wasn't something she would like to discuss. She realized she would have to do some parts over again. She sighed as she rubbed her temples and looked over at the clock. She wondered when would Rikku arrive.

The moment the thought escaped her there was a hard knock resounding on the door. Yuna sat up wondering who could've knocked. She knew Rikku's knocks and they were not so harsh. She crept slowly to the doorway and before she could make it to the door it burst into many pieces. Yuna screamed and tried to run away but strong arms wrapped her waist and held her tight. She kept trying to pull away from her assailants kicking and screaming and shoving away from them. She bent down till she sunk her teeth into the arm of the person and they howled backwards.

Yuna began to break into a run the moment the person let her go. She ran through her back door and into the night. She tried to knock on several doors but no one would open the door for her. She kept on running until she saw a patch of blonde hair in the distance holding another. "Rikku!" She ran to her friend and Rikku sank onto the street with an unconscious Gippal in her arms.

"Yuna! Why are you out here? I told you to stay inside."

"There are people in my house Rikku. I couldn't stay there. They tried to kidnap me or rape me I don't even know. Why is Gippal like that?"

Yuna knew she was speaking rapidly and that Rikku probably didn't understand what she said except for the bit about Gippal. Rikku shook her head, and beckoned Yuna to follow her. They had to get some place safe. Out in the middle of the street was not a safe place to talk. Rikku remembered that Lulu's apartment complex was just a short while away by car. She took Gippal in her arms again and she and Yuna trudged to a car. Rikku checked if the door would open and she used a pin in her hair to unlock it.

"Rikku! What the-"

"It's either we steal the car or we let those vampires get us."

"Vampires? Is that who-"

"Yes, but I can't explain we have to get some place safe. We're going to Lulu's. Now, come on."

Rikku threw Gippal into the back seats and Yuna sat in the passenger side. Rikku hot wired the car and drove off. She frequently checked in the mirror if anyone was following her, but thankfully no one was. Yuna was the firs one to speak up as she couldn't contain anything within herself anymore. "Rikku, what the hell is going on. Why are the vampires after us?"

"Because they know about us. They know about all three of us. Gippal is such an idiot for trying to go and talk to Nooj and get him off Paine's case. He accidentally let it slip that she may be with a human. Or rather with you. Yunie…we're in big trouble."

"This is a nightmare, please tell me I'm going to wake up."

"If only." Yuna sank her head onto the window watching Spira pass her by. She just wished that things weren't so complex and that it was all going to be alright. Then she remembered her vision and decided to tell Rikku.

"Hmm…you think it has anything to do with her drinking from you. She did do that right?"

"Yes, but that was the firs time after she had already marked me. You think it'll affect me?"

"Vampires don't usually get too attached to humans. Maybe, she slipped a bit of herself in you when you were marked? That sounds so wicked. Well, not the vision but her being in you. Wait…that wasn't meant to sound as perverted as it sounded."

Yuna couldn't help but laugh. Amidst them being in peril Rikku always found a way to make a dirty joke. Yuna gasped when they approached Besaid. It was just as lovely as it was when she was growing up. She could see the each overhead and then Rikku turned to where the village was located. "Been here before Rikku?"

"Once. I had to get something from Lulu and I was invited to the house. You won't believe how big it is."

Sure enough Rikku was right. The place was enormous. Yuna could barely contain her surprise and Rikku was smiling. They both were thinking the same thing. Lulu has the best husband in the world. Rikku took her boyfriend in her arms as they walked up the way from the spot they parked to the mansion. Originally it was an area that was once destroyed but Wakka had done the reconstruction for his loving wife and they had never been happier.

Rikku and Yuna approached the door and knocked before a man with bright orange hair stood before them with a calming smile upon his face. "Can I help ya ladies? Oh Rikku! It's you, comin' to see Lulu ya?" Rikku nodded and Wakka brought her and Yuna into the house leaving them to wait for Lulu who arrived down the stairs shortly after.

"What happened?"

"Geez, is that how you always greet people Lulu?"

"You're friend is hanging onto your neck Rikku, I don't think it's time for you to be smug. Yuna, you're here too. Something has definitely happened. Wakka, could you please make us some coffee. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night."

Wakka left them after giving his wife a kiss and Lulu brought them to the parlor. Yuna and Rikku couldn't help but take in everything that passed by and wondered exactly why Lulu worked for a living when it looked like she didn't have to. Lulu didn't seem troubled by this at all, she merely smiled at her companions and urged Rikku to leave Gippal on the couch as they sat in three other chairs.

"What has happened. Give me all the details."

"Yeah, Rikku. Tell us everything you know."

Rikku sighed as she looked at Gippal then turned to the two women. "Well, it all started this morning after I called you Yuna. I told you about Gippal going to a meeting. It was supposed to take place at night with various vampires. One of them being Nooj. Instead people exploded into the house. Thy were definitely human or else they would have died in the sunlight, but they were in league with the Crimson Vampire Squad.

"They didn't look like they were in the house for just a howdy doody. They tried to grab me and Gippal and well I used one of my dad's lovely products he gave me last year. Needless to say, the bomb worked and people went flying into different areas. So I grabbed him and we ran for it. I didn't look back or anything and we were going to make it to Yunie's but then she came running out of her place.

But when I looked they were vampire. It's become night and they are out to get us. They are not happy. I think they know about us. They know we're reporters. But they also know about you Yunie."

Lulu looked at Yuna. "What about her?"

Yuna shifted in her seat uncomfortably. When Wakka brought the coffee she took a huge sip despite it burning her throat. She gasped for a bit of air then put the cup down. "I'm in love with a vampire. The vice of the Crimson Vampire Squad to be exact. I don't know hat they want from me. But I saw them hurt her today…I saw it through a vision. I have no idea what that means or if I was even supposed to see it. Bt I did and I…"

Yuna felt the tears fall from her eyes as she remembered seeing Paine fly out of the room. She could imagine her being hurt and covered in blood. She hoped that it wasn't true that what she saw was merely a trick of the mind but somehow she knew it wasn't. Lulu gave the bicolored eyed girl a hug. She stroked her hair in a motherly fashion trying to stop her from crying.

Through all the events Gippal finally stirred and began to croak out for Rikku. She knelt beside him, stroking his head asking if he was alright. He tried to sit up, but felt a bit dizzy. Wakka brought him some water. "This is crazy…I knew something was up when they said they wanted to live with us. Just a matter o' time before things get outta hand ya?"

"It's not all of them that are like this. It's that council. They're not too fond of this. The only reason they were doing was because Nooj forced them too. But Nooj began to have other plans. And Paine…she's trying to undo everything."

"So he's trying to hurt her?" Yuna screamed hysterically.

"Not exactly, he does need her out of the way. We have to go and get her. Before he does something horrible to her. Believe me, just because she's vice doesn't mean he won't do it."

Rikku chewed on her bottom lip, and Lulu glanced at her husband. "What will he do."

"Make her roast in the sun of course."

"How do we stop him?" Rikku asked anxiously.

"We give him something."

"What shall we give him?" Lulu could feel this was not going to be easy.

"Not something, someone. We have to give him Yuna. He has personally requested her."