So guess what guys? I'm leaving in a week and never coming back! :Db

Okay, long story short - computer crashed, barely managed to save all my documents, got a new one, finals struck, now I'm done so I can post again. Too bad you'll have another long break while I'm off playing in Japan. XD Or I suppose I could mass-post this week.... meh. We'll see. At any rate, sorry for the long wait, please enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter Nine
"So Akira, I've chosen you to succeed me as bishop after I die."

Grey eyes blinked in surprise and confusion. "Me?"

"That's right, you." Shisui sat back in the chair, folding his hands on his legs. "It was supposed to be formally announced on your birthday, but considering the circumstances…"

Akira wondered for a moment if Shisui knew what the scene he had just walked into looked like. Neither the priest nor the vampire had moved from where they both finally came to rest. Akira didn't want Shirogane to move… he felt warm and safe like this. Feeling like he was needed, here under Shirogane's weight, was exactly where he wanted to be.

"… it didn't happen. But, that's the way it is. You've been officially raised to the rank of priest."

"But Shisui, you're still very young. Why are you thinking about your death already?"

"Anything could happen now, Akira."

"And why me? There are many others here that would be better than me."

Shisui bit his lip. "When you ask Shirogane to explain the situation, I'm sure you'll understand."

Akira thought it over for a few moments, but before he could continue asking questions, Shirogane suddenly moved, pushing himself up on his forearms. A small noise escaped Akira as almost all Shirogane's weight shifted to his hips. He felt himself colour brilliant red at the sudden change in position.

"G-good morning, Shirogane."

The vampire looked at him for a moment before he continued getting up. It took him a few times to really get his balance, but when he did, he was up and limping for the door.

"Wait, you're still –"

"Shisui, come."

"All right, Shirogane."

"But –"

"We're not going too far, Akira. We'll be back in just a minute." Shisui paused in the doorway, turning his face back to Akira. "Perhaps you should take the time to pray and review your vows."

He was gone before Akira could ask why… but after a moment, he fell back onto the bed, curling up. He knew perfectly well why, although he was still very confused. He had never really understood his situation, and he felt like he understood less now. The feeling of Shirogane's strong body was still etched into him – he shivered thinking about it.

.oOOo.

"You actually made the exchange."

Shisui looked stupefied as he said it… he couldn't believe it. Shirogane leaned heavily against the wall. His entire body was still aching, but he could move. Akira's blood was fully sustaining.

"I was shocked myself, if you're wondering." He let out a sharp hiss as he tentatively let his head touch the wall and pain shot through. "Didn't think he would open me up that fast."

" 'Fast' isn't quite the word for it. You've been watching over him for eighteen years now. That's quite a long time for you to get the uptake. But you have been breaking down the last month or so. What's happened?"

"I don't know. Just been too long, maybe."

"I'm quite unsure why you've been so distant and cold to him this long, though I have a faint idea."

"You're probably right, then."

"Are you going to throw that away now, then? I'm sure you've realized at this point what you had in mind is never going to come around."

Shirogane didn't reply… he wasn't sure how to.

"But, at any rate, you know if he asks you now you can't say no, or any other excuse."

"I understand."

Shisui gave him an apologetic look. "You're going to have to be prepared for the consequences."

"I know."

"All right. I'll let you go back, then."

Shirogane heavily pushed himself off the wall and began walking, but Shisui interrupted him. "Wait, one more thing."

"Hm?"

"I'm having him review his vows."

"How good of you," Shirogane replied exasperatedly.

"I know you don't mean to have that devilish charm, Shirogane, but please remember who and what this boy is. I don't want you leading him astray for your own selfishness."

Shirogane continued on his way, as if he couldn't hear Shisui.

.oOOo.

"Ryuuko."

The priest turned to look at him as he strode quickly up the aisle. He saw the surprise on the bishop's face, but he had decided. He knew his expression was set.

"Shirogane, I'm glad to see you're listening."

He didn't reply as he climbed the stairs into the sanctuary. Ryuuko's ruby eyes were gazing into his. Though they were distant, they widened as he stepped closer and closer. As Shirogane came within arm's length of him, the priest stepped back, expression hinting at discomfort.

"Shirogane, what are you –"

He grabbed the bishop's shoulders, holding him in place, as he dipped his head and moved his mouth to Ryuuko's throat. The young man was paralyzed, either with fear or shock, and didn't move as Shirogane's lips parted, his long eye teeth pricking at Ryuuko's fair skin. He was about to close his jaws and pierce right through when suddenly Ryuuko's arm flew up, smashing Shirogane in the jaw. The pain forced him to lift his head, hissing.

"What is this, Shirogane?!" Ryuuko demanded, trying to pull away.

"I won't let you go."

"Who do you think you are, to tell me what I can and can't do?! I have to do this, and I want to do this!" Ryuuko continued vainly struggling against Shirogane's iron grip. "Release me, immediately!"

"I…" He faltered, then snarled, "I'm your friend, and I'm trying to watch out for you! I'm sure you'd love to go sip tea with the pope, but you'll never make it there alive! Your life is more important than your calling!"

"So what do you think turning me will accomplish?! If you do that, I can't continue!"

"Precisely!"

Ryuuko's face twisted in anger – the first expression of such Shirogane had ever seen. "Shirogane!"

"Think about it… just think about it, Ryuuko! You won't have to live in fear! If you're a vampire, the others won't come for you. You can live in peace. And if someone does come, you'll have the strength to fight back. And you can live forever… you can live and worship forever. Maybe not in the church… but even outside of it, you can worship as much as you'd like."

Ryuuko had frozen up – the tenseness in his muscles had faded away. The two remained facing each other, the bishop helpless in the vampire's grip. Ryuuko's head slowly fell forward, raven bangs curtaining his eyes. Shirogane bent his head forward again, ready to do the deed, but weakly Ryuuko raised a hand, pushing Shirogane's head away.

Irritated, Shirogane straightened up, intending to reprimand Ryuuko again, but the bishop raised his face and Shirogane froze. The hand, pressed to his mouth, was shaking, quaking like a leaf in the breeze. Those ruby eyes were shimmering heavily with tears, and as the bishop spoke in a broken whisper, one precious drop fell, painting its way down his face.

"Why… why must you tempt me so?"

He was paralyzed… he had never, ever, even from the scene a few months before, thought that he would see Ryuuko cry.

"Why can't you just let me go?"

Slowly, his hands slipped from Ryuuko's shoulders. His blue eyes were caught in those tearful ruby ones. For what seemed like an eternity, they remained like that, looking at each other. Then Ryuuko turned his head and left the sanctuary, half-running down the nave. Shirogane didn't turn as he heard a door shut loudly – instead, he slowly raised his head to stare up at the coloured light flooding the crossing.

He couldn't do this. He was completely broken.