" What made you decide to come and find me so suddenly? "

Fushimi stiffened at Sara's question, feeling his heart die all over again. She had every right to be upset with him, considering how he'd left her, no matter what his reason was. " I… "

The decision to find her, and tell her the truth was easier said than done. During the ride, he'd been thinking about what he was going to say to her, how he was going to explain that he had become a creature from the darkest pages of history, he had left her to protect her from the terror of being his victim. So far, he had come up with just about nothing, because no matter how hard he tried, he just didn't know how to say it.

Seeing her again, he was reminded of how she could, and never would – be his. He had no right to want her, to love her when all he could offer was a life of terror where the lines between his never ending thirst – for her blood, and her – blurred almost insanely until he almost didn't know the difference.

After an almost uneasy brunch, Kamo, Enomoto, and Akiyama had returned to the truck to take care of the necessary repairs, whereas Munakata – much to Fushimi's chagrin – had decided to remain with Iona a bit longer. Both of them hadn't been able to take their eyes off each other from the moment that their eyes met, all through the meal, and afterward. The little albino girl Iona had been with seemed uneasy, and rightfully so.

After the meal, Fushimi and Sara had decided to take a walk together outside while Honami and Anna saw to washing the dishes, and Munakata sat chatting with Iona. They were silent as they strolled aimlessly until they realized that they were deep in the surrounding woods, although Fushimi wasn't worried since it was easy for him to pinpoint the path they had taken.

She was looking up at him now, her soulful chocolate eyes almost opaque in the fading light of the day, her expression unreadable.

Before Sara could draw another breath, Fushimi closed the space between them faster than she could blink, which almost didn't surprise her. For as long as she had known him, he had always been swift and silent on his feet whenever he moved; he had given her a fright on more than one occasion by just showing up behind her, or next to her without making a sound, and she was used to it by now.

And yet… there was something almost… frighteningly unnatural about his movement just now…

The shadows of twilight danced on his beautiful, fine boned features, adding a darkly ethereal aura to his presence, his blue eyes almost glowing like sapphires, making her breath catch.

But what was more prominent than the almost unearthly beauty of his face was the pained, conflicted look in those eyes, and features. The sight brought Sara's defenses down, and softened her heart.

" What's wrong? " she asked almost breathlessly.

He was standing so close….

Oh, hell.

Wishing that he could die at this moment so that he wouldn't feel this pain that was tearing through every fiber from his soul, Fushimi reached for Sara, and drew her into his arms. Her shocked gasp was cut off by his kiss, and for a few moments, she remained still, her eyes wide with surprise.

He kissed her with all the feelings pent up in his heart, all that he couldn't say, all he would never be again.

And everything that he knew would never be his.

Sara was surprised at the almost desperate hunger with which he kissed her, and although she tried to resist and push him away, she found herself unable to do so. She felt her arms going around his waist, pulling him close as he had her, and her lips parting to let his tongue push in to meet her own as her eyes drifted closed.

She kissed him back then, matching his hunger with her own, although she couldn't understand the desperation in his, feeling desire blaze through her body at an almost alarming rate.

" Sara… "

Her name was spoken in almost strangled whisper, and slowly, she opened her eyes to find that they were both on the ground, his body covering hers. Her fingers were tangled in the ebony strands of his hair, their arms around each other, his face hidden at the crook of her neck.

Wanting him closer, inside her, Sara arched against him in invitation. " Saruhiko… "

And then she felt it.

He was crying.

Alarmed as she felt him begin to shake, she held him closer, trying to comfort him even though she suddenly felt so vulnerable in the face of this unexpected burst of emotion from her usually stoic beloved. " What's wrong? "

He didn't answer; he couldn't answer.

How am I going to tell you that I've become a monster, and because of that, we can't be together? He wondered helplessly as the tears continued to flow. How am I going to tell you that this may be our first and last kiss because after this, I have to leave you forever?

How?

There was no answer, and he didn't expect one.

He hadn't wanted to break down like this, but when he'd felt her accept and respond to his passion, the knowledge that it was only for now shattered his defenses, and his emotion poured out as if a dam had burst within him.

She never let go of him….

The stars were already out by the time he calmed, although they never moved from their position. They lay together, Fushimi finally resting his head atop her heart, finding comfort at the sound of life flowing through her.

Sara felt her face warm as he slowly rose above her, and looked down at her with those cerulean eyes that saw so much, but gave away nothing.

Until now.

" I love you, Sara. "

His words were spoken so softly, yet directly that she was sure that she had dreamed them. She stared up at him for a moment in stunned silence, but when his gaze never wavered, she realized that he had spoken the truth.

" I've always loved you, and I always will… even if I can't be with you. "

Just as his declaration of love had made her heart soar, those last words brought her world crashing down. " What..? " She clutched at him, rightfully fearing that she would lose him if she didn't hold on.

She'd lost him once, and didn't want to go through that again.

" Why… ? "

His sigh spoke of an exhaustion that wasn't physical. " Come here. "

He sprang to his feet, carrying her in his arms the way a groom would his bride on their wedding night. Sara squeaked as he carried her through the woods, going even deeper until there was almost no sound except their breathing. The speed with which he moved brought back the unnatural feeling from earlier, and for some reason, she felt herself become afraid.

Finally, he set her down, and she took a step back, confused at the sudden fear that had invaded her heart. " Saruhiko…? "

" I can't be with you because I'm a vampire… "

" Where do you think they went? "

Munakata looked up from the fire that he was stoking in the fireplace. Iona was standing in front of the window, her back to him. He could sense her worry for the two individuals, but at the same time, she wanted to trust that they would be alright.

It was almost bedtime, and Honami was giving Anna a bath. Iona had sensed that the precious albino was worried about something; she had been even more quiet than usual since this morning, her large ruby eyes on Iona.

Iona couldn't blame her. As thrilled as she was to see Reisi Munakata again, she couldn't help but feel a sense of chilling unease that she couldn't shake off. The more time she spent around him, the more she was starting to suspect that the dream where he had been in her room wasn't a dream.

And the kiss…?!

Iona felt her face go bright pink as she remembered the kiss that they had shared, and how passionately it had been done. She had been frightened at some point, it was true, but at the same time, she had wanted it to go further.

Now she was sure that she was bright red; in fact, considering her embarrassment, she was surprised that her ears weren't shooting steam.

Oh, dear…

He had been the perfect gentleman throughout the day, making her wonder if he had come from the Victorian era, but at the same time, she had been impressed by his conduct, and undivided attention towards her.

But still…

From the moment she had seen him this morning, she felt herself unconsciously sensing that she should be careful. It was almost as if there was something about him that wasn't quite… there. Despite her joy, there was an underlying sense of danger around her, almost like seeing a wolf in a dark forest even when camouflaged in the shadows.

He watched her as she gazed out the window without seeing what was beyond the panes. He had sensed her unease behind her joy, and it had remained with her throughout the day. There was always a question in her eyes whenever she looked at him, and he knew that the time was coming to tell her the truth. The link that he had forged when he'd bitten her was being felt by her, causing her to sense what he was.

" I'm sure they will be alright, angel, " he comforted, rising to his feet, and making his way towards her. " It may be that they need some time alone together. "

Iona gave him an uneasy smile as he came to stand beside her. " Yeah, " she whispered softly. " They probably do. "

They were silent for a moment, their eyes holding...

" Iona... "

She gasped when she realized that he was in front of her, standing so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. His arm went around her waist, and his other hand cupped the nape of her neck, holding her still as he bent over her, violet eyes holding her green ones.

His face was so haunting and darkly beautiful...

She gasped softly at the feeling of his breath on her face, on her lips...

When his lips captured hers, it was as if everything else was gone, and they were the only ones there.

It felt so right...

It felt so familiar...

As if of their own volition, her arms wound themselves around his waist, her eyes drifting closed. A soft sigh escaped her as her lips parted, their tongues meeting and exploring. The kiss deepened, becoming more fierce and hungry with every moment, and she almost forgot to breathe. His hands moved over her body, the warmth of his touch penetrating her clothes, and washing over her skin...

She wanted him to make love to her.

He was drowning in her warmth...

She felt so small and fragile in his arms, her scent of fresh flowers and clean rain filling his nostrils as he continued to plunder her mouth with his kisses, her hair like silken strands of starlight and the sun's rays in his hands.

He heard her gasp as he shifted his hold on her, and kissed the spot at the base of her throat where her pulse was beating rapidly.

" Reisi... "

The sound of his name from her lips made the desire racing through his veins accelerate to levels that he never thought possible. He held her so that her back was to his chest, kissing the soft flesh on the swan like column where he could feel her blood flowing.

She cried out in surprise and pain as he bit down, her blood filling his mouth.

Such sweetness...

He bit her...

" STOP! "

Iona struggled, barely managing to break free from his hold, and the sudden pain where his lips had touched her. She stumbled backwards. and landed on her backside before scuttling backwards, her hands clutching her throat.

The fire went out, plunging the living room into almost total darkness, but for some absurd reason, Iona was still able to see.

He stood where she had left him, the tension in him visible in his stance, and every tightly corded muscle of his body. The eyes that came to rest on her were still the same beautiful violet that had taken her in on that first night, but the pinpoints of red around his pupil, and the sharp fangs that had emerged, told her that it was him, but at the same time, not him.

Reisi Munakata is a vampire...

" It can't be true... "

She was staring at him, her eyes wide with shock and terror, her face reflecting the same emotions. She was clutching her throat, the spot he had bitten bleeding.

The same blood that was on his lips...

" It can't be true... "

Her tearful denial shattered his heart even as he he wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve, and took a step towards her, feeling utterly despicable. " I'm sorry, angel, " he whispered as he came to stand in front of her as she rose to her feet. " I did not intend for you to find out this way... "

" You can't be...! "

It had to be a bad dream...

It just had to be...

Hesitantly, she reached out with one hand. Realizing that she was still in shock, he stood still, watching her.

The first hint of sharpness against her fingertips not only proved that her worst fears were real, but also shattered her heart.

The nightmare was suddenly there again, and she saw it all.

Her mother and her sisters lying on the floor, their blood from their torn throats mingling, their eyes lifeless; her father dying slowly.

Her uncle's cruel smile that revealed his fangs, his mocking laughter as he surveyed the destruction that he had wrought on her family before his attention was drawn to her as she lay trapped beneath the book shelf...

Munakata saw the nightmare through her eyes just before they closed, and her legs crumpled under her. He caught her before she could hit the floor, holding her tenderly.

The sound of footsteps alerted him to the arrival of Honami Kushina and her niece, and he heard the former's shocked gasp at the sight of him carrying Iona in his arms.

" You're a... ! "

Munakata met her eyes with a calmness that he was far from feeling. " I'm sorry... " he whispered. " I did not intend to reveal the truth to her this way... "

" She could tell that there was something off about you since this morning, " Anna spoke in her soft voice.

His eyes moved to the little girl who was apparently very precious to the fragile creature in his arms. " You knew. "

" I'm a dhamphir, " Anna stated matter of factly, her eyes on her unconscious friend. " What do you intend to do to her now that she knows? "

" I will respect her decision, " Munakata answered.

" I'll treat her wounds, " Honami pointed out. " This way. "

He followed her to the bedroom that was obviously shared by all four females, and deposited his beloved on the bed. As Honami and Anna tended to her wounds, he turned to leave so he could give them some privacy.

The steps he took as he moved away were the heaviest of his damned life...