Hitomi looked at his daughter from above his newspaper. His stare is harsh but at the same time he also seems a little bit worried. He doesn't know what to do with his daughter. She clearly doesn't understand her situation and on top of that she did what he told her not to do. Her mother is also looking at her from time to time. She pretends to look over the table for food but her eyes always watch her. She feels like an argument will arise but she doesn't know what to do. Juri is very hormonal and her reactions are hard to predict. At times like this she regrets not spending more time with her daughter. Both of them seem to want to tell Juri something but neither of them dares to say a word. Juri know that they want to talk about yesterday but she would rather not hear it. She did what she felt that moment. Everything seemed right! Why should she feel guilty? She did nothing wrong. Haruka is a friend and she wants to help as much as possible. She knows that this is not good for her health but she cannot keep stay away from him.

"Juri…" her mother started but could not find the proper words to continue. She doesn't want to be the one to start the fight.

"I am fine," Juri sighed putting down the fork. She knows that nothing can stop the fight she will have with her parents.

Hitomi folded the newspaper and threw it on an empty chair. "You are fine?" he repeated unsure whether or not she understands her situation. "I told you not to get near that man."

"I do not understand. Why is father like this? Haruka is a good man and I really believed that you like him but…"

"When I tell you to stay away from him I am not trying to tell you that he is too good for you. On the contrary!" he shouted hitting the table with his palms. "This man is killing you and you have nothing against it."

He is not killing me, she thought annoyed. "He is a friend…" I whispered.

"That family is pure evil," her mother said almost crying.

She abruptly got up bumping down her chair. "Since when do you care about me?" she asked her annoyed. "You were never there for me and now, out of the sudden you pretend to care?"

"Juri," her father threatened.

No! That is the truth. "You were never a mother to me… You… Where were you when I was sick this winter? Where were you when father punished me? Where were you when I was growing up?!" she shouted. While motioning she hit the glass with apple juice. Everything became reddish around arround. "Father too! Have you ever truly loved me?" she sobbed. How can she possibly drink other's blood when her own blood seems to reject her? She…don't understand anymore… do they even care about them? Her family was always different. They always wanted to control her. They kept her like a doll and now, now that she finally knows how it's like to go to school and have friends, she cannot accept that anymore.

"You are one ungrateful daughter," father reprimanded her.

"Hitomi… Juri is at an age when she questions things. We have to be understanding..." her mother got up and walked slowly to her. "Come on Juri, apologize to your father…please…" Her mother seemed desperate to keep her quiet. She watched her getting closer if she were some dangerous animal. She cannot believe what is happening. Her mother acts as if she didn't say a word to her, as if…it does not matter as long as her father is pleased.

"I…don't understand it anymore…" she took a step back, away from her. She always knew that mother is willing to sacrifice a lot for her father but she doesn't understand why…

"Now be a good girl Juri. Father raised you all these years expecting nothing but respect."

"Do all parents say this to their children? Is this even normal?" she said slapping her hand away. "Do not touch me…please…" she looked down completely lost. Why is she even crying? Her family was never a normal one. Her mother was always away and cared little about her while father was severe most of the time.

"Juri," father's voice echoed through the room, "go to your room and calm down," he said on an understanding voice. She looked at him with puffy eyes. Is she being punished or did he actually understand her? "Nana will bring you some tea."

"And after that?"

"Do whatever you want." He grabbed his newspaper and got up. "I will be leaving. When I get home I don't want to face this type of atmosphere again. And Juri, all parents expect respect."

She watched her father leaving the room. This might be the first argument to end in such a peaceful way. This is also the first time her father does not threaten her.

"You have no idea how great your father is. You are lucky to have him."

"Don't say this to me as if I do not love him."

"If you love him then don't upset him. You have no idea how much he did for you."

"Neither do you. You were never home anyway."

Mother didn't say a word. She looked at me for some seconds before sighing and leaving the room in a hurry. So now she is the bad guy? She feels like the victim of her family. They are always acting as if she were some stranger!

"Come on Juri-sama. A hot bath will do you good," Nana said reaching her from behind.

"No…I am going out."

She patted Nana before leaving the room. She needs some time alone… She needs time to understand what she is supposed to do. If only someone could tell her what to do. She wishes she could go to her beloved sensei and ask him to hug her. Was sensei even real? Why did sensei have to leave? The times sensei was here were the best. She misses him every day. He seemed the only one who had feelings. Juri always thought that humans care more about those around them. And she likes this. Why do vampires have to be so cold and phony? Her teacher was honest… She touched her lips. That kiss… That was the only thing that felt real. All her life is a lie. She lies to her friends from school, knowing very well they cannot accept a vampire as a friend. She lies to her teachers and she lies to Haruka and Saya. But that kiss…that was special. That felt like once in a life time experience. She will never feel so alive again.

Leaving the house, she walked aimlessly. She could not see a thing around her. Her eyes did not see the present but the past: past arguments, past moments and people she used to know. When sensei was there she had no arguments with her family and nothing bothered her. She could accept the way her mother and father were and walk ahead because only sensei had the powers to reach her heart. But now he is gone and all the bad things keep happening to her. How should she face her problems when she is not even used to having problems? Out of the sudden she has to face things for which she was never prepared. Nobody told her that one day everything she knew will crumble. She wonders when did she gathered the courage to face her family so straight forward. She really doesn't recognize herself. She used to be so different until that night… When she first met Haruka her blood started boiling. She never thought that she would actually hit somebody with her shoe. So maybe she needs both of them in her life if she wants to feel alive. She lacks balance. She wants her father to properly recognize her. He does not understand her at all and it feels like he does not even want to. But she also does not understand herself, so maybe there is nothing to be understood about her. She wants sensei gone and safe but at the same time she wants him there, next to her. She needs to see him again. She hated Haruka from the start but she was attracted to him and all her feelings became a mess. Now she does not understand anything anymore. She wants them away from her but she wants them there… She wants him to have her blood but she knows that she will die if this continues. If only somebody could tell her… What is going on with her? What does she feel? She suddenly feels so many things and everything is alien to her. She never knew that the world was so complex.

"Juri?" a voice called her from behind. She stopped and wiped her tears before turning and facing Haruka. He was shadowed by a big, black umbrella.

"I am not in the mood," she said seeing his serious face. She really cannot fight anymore right now. All she need is just some time by myself.

"My time is running out so do you mind coming with me?" he insisted approaching her and gently grabbing her elbow. He studied her face carefully. He did not miss a lone tear rushing down her face. He wiped it with his thumb. He hates having to tell her something that might make her cry even more. "I am sorry but I have something to tell you."

"How did you know where I was?" Or better said… "Why do you always show up when my father leaves?"

He smiled gently. "Please come with me…"

She nodded and walked after him. She really is in no mood to fight him. She has many questions but he is always avoiding her questions. His hand slipped down hers and he grabbed her fingers tenderly. She is not entirely stupid. She always gets the feeling that Haruka and her father try to avoid each other as much as possible. They both have something to do with her but neither of them bothers the other. More tears left her eyes as she looked down. "I know that you are in a hurry but can't this wait?"

"Get inside the car," he said and opened the door. She looked all over his face. What the hell was going on today? She needed to be left alone and here she is being pushed around by him.

She did as he said and stepped inside the car. The driver bowed his head as low as he could. She only nodded and made space for Haruka to enter. The atmosphere is so strange. He closed the door and made a sign to the driver. The driver nodded and car started moving. "So?" she asked wanting to finish it as soon as possible.

He looked at her with his poker face. "Why do you call Ryu 'honey'?" Her heart skipped a beat. This isn't what she was expecting. She licked her lips and leaned on her back.

"For no reason…" Her eyes looked only ahead. "Did something happen?" She changed the question.

"Do you like the beach?" he asked ignoring her words.

She looked annoyed at him. When she was about to open her mouth he looked back at her. His eyes are begging her to say nothing. "Who doesn't like the beach?" He didn't respond. Haruka only looked outside the window as if trying to avoid any conversation inside the car. "Are we going to the beach?" she insisted. He didn't respond once again. Why would Haruka want to go to the beach? The sun is still up and the beach has no shady places at this hour. Today everybody seems to have business. Even her father woke up quite early and left before twilight. He never does this.

But nothing matters anymore. Everybody can do whatever they want. Nobody wants to tell anything important and telling the truth she is kind of sick of everything. She cannot even have time for herself to calm down and get better. Everybody thinks their business is more important. What about what she feels? Can't she have some quiet time and solve her problems? Everybody brings her more problems to be solved! She glanced at Haruka for a second before looking ahead. She wants to get out of the car and walk away. She wants him to leave her alone and… She could not miss the driver's insistent stares in the rearview mirror. When he noticed she was looking at him he pretended to fix the angle of the mirror. Is he watching on them? Really, why is everybody so strange? She caught the driver looking again at them.

Juri looked at Haruka. Was he not noticing that his driver is a jerk? Haruka did not look back at her. He seems lost in his own thoughts. The driver looker at them again and Juri almost lost it. When she opened her mouth to say something but the car suddenly stopped. She looked outside the window and saw the sand and the ocean. She opened alone the door and stepped outside before Haruka could say anything. A nice wind refreshed her as she left the car behind and walked to the sand.

She has always dreamt about the beach. Juri had an idea about what the beach should be like: children running all over the place and teenagers playing volleyball while adults are drinking beer and talking about how great the weather is. She wanted to come at least once with her friends and have fun but she knew that even she couldn't take such a bright sun without getting dizzy. Especially since lately her body is extremely weak and she constantly feels tired. She knows that her father might be right: Haruka is slowly killing her. She couldn't admit because she hates telling her father how right he is. 'Yes, you are right father', she thought as she took off her shoes. 'Yes, Haruka is hurting me!' she screamed inside her head. So what? She has only one life and she is not going to waste it. She is getting closer to death with each passing night. At least she should die for someone than simply stay and wait for her last moment. 'Yeah, I can feel death closer and closer.' An adult would manage this but she is a child who almost never had real blood. Food alone is not giving her enough energy. Everything she is doing is hurting her but she likes living like this.

Haruka stepped in front of her and reached her with his hand. She stared at his hand before he took the initiative to grab hers. They crossed their fingers and slowly walked to the ocean. Juri tilted her head over her shoulder to check if the driver was stilling watching them. He was carefully watching them from the car.

They walked in silence on the crowded beach. Juri got some strands of hair behind her ear and looked at the beautiful sea. She wants to feel it with her feet. She wants to jump out of her clothes and swim naked. She wants to feel something that makes her feel alive. But they stopped and Juri could only enjoy the sight. Haruka is looking at the sea. His face is serious. Even his eyes are no longer glowing. She is sure that he said: 'My time is running out.' It is still day so what business could he possibly have? She licked her lips and released his hand. What the hell. Since she is here she is going to enjoy the moment. She walked slowly to the sea. Juri smiled alone as the water reached above her ankles. This is the first time she feels the ocean. She wants even more now to throw her clothes away and swim. She abruptly turned to Haruka. Some drops of water feel over her cheeks and blouse. "Happy birthday, Haruka!" she shouted. The sea is making strong noises but she knows that he heard her. He smiled and motioned her to come back to him. She ran to him enjoying the moment. She feels like a child again: no worries and no pain. She is so happy that she can be there with him. Her first time at the sea and she is with her friend. What more could she want? She stopped right in front of him and grabbed the hand that was reaching her. Haruka looked at her with his beautiful garnet eyes. His eyes are glowing again. That is good enough to make her problems seem small.

"How did you know?" he asked.

"I know many things…" Actually she knew because she heard someone saying at Himika's wedding that he was not celebrating his birthday this year.

"Give me a kiss," he said.

Her cheeks got pink. "W-what?"

"As a gift. I don't need anything else but a kiss."

She never expected him to ask for such a present. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and looked at him unsure whether he is making fun or her or not. "This is embarrassing..." she said of a hoarse voice. He nodded and pulled her closer. He really wants a kiss from this girl. She is hard to understand and she never fails to surprise him but he enjoys every moment he has next to her. She could never bore him. He finds this child the most attracting woman he has ever met. She will kiss him. She has to! He will feel beyond disappointed if she were to turn him down. Although hesitant she got on her tips and rested her palms on his shoulders. They looked at each other: hope is reflected in his eyes. He bent and she gently touched his jaw. Her heart is beating fast. "You are strange…" she whispered worried.

"Things are going on in the Senate right now... I am being watched."

"Yeah… I've noticed."

"The Senate is corrupt and vampires openly attack people. Of course this angered hunters and the good relationship we had is falling apart. Yesterday some nobles were killed by hunters and everybody wants to start a war."

"What about you? What are you going to do?" If it is him then maybe he can stop them. She trusts Haruka. He looked at her with a serious face. 'Say something', she thought. 'Anything!' He is a Kuran so he can change things, right? "Haruka?"

"Together with my brother and father we decided to leave the Senate."

Her eyes got big. "There is no such thing. They will consider it betrayal." She looked down. What will happen with him after this? They won't just let things the way they are. Those bastards will do something low. She knows they will. The Senate is filled with disgusting vampires.

"Your father will keep on supporting the Senate. He said that he wins nothing from a good relationship with humans." She was surprised but she kind of expected that. Her father is not the kind of man to actually do things which might affect his plans. Maybe he knows that things will be fine. Maybe Haruka should have waited a while before making such a decision.

"What will happen after you leave?" she asked looking back at him.

"Nothing. But… We cannot meat anymore. I'm sure you understand why." Her heart is crushed. They won't meet again? But she didn't want them to be over. She wants to be friends with Haruka. What her father does has nothing to do with her. But this decision hurt Haruka just as much. Of course he wants to be with her but he will put her in danger and he cannot allow something like that to happen. He has to take care of her in his own way.

"Why?" she desperately grabbed his jacket.

"This is the last time."

So it will end just like it began: out of the sudden. She wanted to be together with Haruka for the rest of her life. He was one of the few people who seemed to understand her. Thanks to him she forgot so easily her feelings for sensei. He was the man who made her realize that being a vampire can be a good thing. "Just like this?" she asked on a trembling voice. Her forehead rested on his chest.

"Um."

She cannot let her tears fall in front of him. This is the last time so she wants to smile. She wants to remember this day. She never thought that her heart could hurt so much. She feels like the ground is crushing beneath her. Everything is falling apart: her relationship with her parents, her friendship with Haruka and her own existence. She fears death and she doesn't want to die by herself. She wants friends around her. She wants her life to be a happy one. But she has to let go because he already released her. She has to free him from their relationship. "Thank you for being my friend. It was a short period of time but it was fun." 'Let's meet again', she thought. 'I want to see you soon.'

"Same here. It was fun meeting you. The first person to kick me with a shoe." They giggled.

"The first person I ever kicked with a shoe. You are the first person to taste my blood." She is so glad that it was him.

"It was the best blood ever." His hands rested on her shoulders. "Juri, I really don't want it to end but there is nothing else to do." He slowly pushed her away.

"I know. Haruka, I know…" She doesn't what this to end either! She wants to be close to him…

"Should I take you home?"

She never thought that she will ever hate the beach. It was a perfect place to have fun. Now it is only a place that she will avoid for the rest of her life. This is where Haruka and she said good bye. She could only nod. If she were to say something she is afraid that she might cry. Haruka grabbed her middle and escorted her to the car. Even if this is the last time she wants to smile.

"Why were you crying?" he asked not looking at her face. He is well aware that she might cry again. His Juri is not as strong as she wants to be.

"I…I had a bad feeling today…" she lied. Telling the truth wouldn't change a thing.