Chapter 9

"Francesca-san?"

"Mmm,"

"How did you know when you found your lifemate?" Haruka asked as she looked at Francesca who was a little shocked at the question and began to think about it as she sat in the chair near the bed.

"How did I know? Mmm...I just knew. It's like how we know when the sun is at its highest or when we need to feed. I don't really know if there is any one way to describe it... I just knew," Francesca said with a sigh.

"Oh,"Haruka didn't seem to be paying attention to what was being said. She was staring down at Seiji sweat drenched face. Her fingers moving in an attempt to smooth the out the hard planes caused by pain.

"Why do you ask,"

"No reason," Haruka's hand was now tracing something on his throat. "What's this?" the question was said more to herself then anyone else as she traced a thin white scar. Her hand shot to the mark on her own throat. Closing her eyes she began to think back. That's right the dream I had today. She allowed the memory to come, flooding her senses.

Looking at a pair of startlingly deep green eyes.

"Who are you?" the question came out as a barely addable whisper. He didn't say anything just stared at her eyes for a moment before removing the dark red oni mask that covered her face. She couldn't seem to take her eyes from his as he removed his own mask. Once his mask was off he brought his head down to the base of her neck, pushing the collar of her kimono out of the way he lapped at the pulse in her throat. Once. Twice. Then his teeth sank into soft flesh.

Haruka felt her body heat instantly as electricity surged through her as he drank. A few moments later he swept his tongue over the pinpricks closing it but leaving a mark. Then she watched as he moved the collar of his kimono, a sharp nail on one finger was pressed into his own throat over the pulse drawing blood. Her face was then pressed to the wound. Having no other chose she drank deep from the wound, feeling the warmth of the blood rush into her body.

"Enough," the voice was a harsh, husky whisper. It seemed more of a plea. Chanting filled the air around them, low and commanding. "Sorry, Haruka," his lips found her in a quick but passionate kiss. He then fell backwards, eyes closing. Haruka felt his arms give way as another set picked her up.

"Seiji," Haruka screamed fighting against the new person. She heard the chanting once again as her eyes and limbs became heavy as sleep took over.

"So Haruka-chan you finally remember," both females looked up with a start at the new voice. He was leaning against the open window. His posture stiff and alert. He wearing a white silk shirt and black dress pants. His dark hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. While his eyes were covered by a white blindfold.

"Shin-kun?"

"Hai it's me," he replied as he made his way to the side of the bed. Sitting on the edge he grabbed onto one of Haruka's left arm and began to tug at the strip of leather..

"Shin-kun what are you doing?" shock and fear were in her voice as she tried to tug her arm away but couldn't seem to make it move. Once the band was removed from her arm he ran his thumb over the mark that it hid.

"That's not good, shenlong bleeds," he murmured pulling his hand away and rubbing his index finger to his thumb feeling the warm liquid on them. Francesca stood up and looked at Haruka's arm. She saw a dragon tattoo wrapped around her upper arm. She also saw that in the lines of the tattoo there was small thread like streams of blood coming from it. Turning Haruka's arm over so her wrist was exposed Shinji brought it to his mouth.

"Shin-kun?!" Haruka was again trying to pull her arm away but still felt as if her body were not listening to her.

"I am saving you and my brother. I have already come to terms and acceptance with the stain upon my soul and my demons. My only wish at this moment is to aid the both of you so that you may live," Shinji could tell by the way her body relaxed that she understood and accepted what he said. Bringing her wrist to his mouth he sank his teeth into the tender flesh. Her body gave a startled jump then relaxed. With his other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out two small bottles and handed one to Haruka. Take this before I give you my blood. It will help your body to accept what I offer.

With her other hand Haruka reached out and took the small bottle from Shinji. She looked at the bottle that now resided in her hand then looked at Shinji with a questioning look. He was just sweeping his tongue over the wound. Then he brought his wrist to his mouth. "Haruka-chan you are going to have to drink that now," he said then bit into his wrist before offering it to her.

Haruka quickly uncorked bottle and pored the contents down her throat. The taste was slightly bitter as it made its way over her tongue. She then took Shinji's offered wrist into her hands and brought it to her mouth.

"Who are you?" Francesca asked as she watched what was happening.

"I am Shinji Dragonseeker. My apologies for not introducing myself right away but I had to make sure of the health of my family. I meant you no disrespect to you in any way," Francesca felt her jaw grow lax and could have sworn she heard it hit the ground. Even the usual Carpathian greetings were eloquent but this was something else. She watched as Shinji lightly tugged his wrist away from Haruka and closed the wound with his tongue. Francesca opened her mouth and was about to ask another question when the door opened and a girl comes in holding a crying baby in her arms.

"Francesca I can't seem to get her to calm down," the girl looked over to the bed just noticing the person sitting there, then she looks down at the baby she holding. Tamara was crying and rubbing at her eyes as if they were sore. Francesca moved from where stood, walked over to Skyler and lightly took Tamara into her arms. Her attempts at soothing the infant didn't seem to work. Before moving from the bed Shinji puts the other small bottle into Haruka's hand.

"You know what needs to be done. When you awaken I shall be here to greet you as a true sister," and he walked over to where the two women stood. "Could I please try?" he asked in a soft voice. Francesca looks at him then at Tamara who is still rubbing her eyes. Reluctantly she hands Tamara over to Shinji. He carefully cradles her to his body with in one arm. Tamara stops crying and moves her hands from her eyes to look up at him. "I am sorry little one I did not know of the pain I caused you," his said as his free hand wiped her small tears away.

Little Tamara babbled angrily at him as her small hands latch onto his fingers. "I know little one. I will make sure there is no more owwie the next time I see you," Shinji felt questioning eyes on him. "When I had let a vampire take my eyes from me about a week ago, I heard a child crying. Later when I followed the footprints back I found her," he said gesturing at little Tamara in his arm. "She is quite intelligent. Come lets take her back to her room she needs sleep," Francesca was protesting as she and Skyler were being ushered out of the room. "Remember I await for you to awaken," then the door closed behind him.

Author's Note: You know I might just understand why they call friday friday. It's the day when your brain is the most fried. I know there are some of you out there who actually get the weekend off but I don't. I get random days of the week off so it's kind of hard to find time between unwinding, reading and dozing in front of the idiot box. I've been meaning to have more qaulity time with my computer but it's been hard to pull myself from the couch after work.

Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think. Hope you enjoy your friday and don't let it get to you to much.

Thanks for reading :)