A/N: So sorry for not writing in what…forever? My one excuse other than laziness is that I can't upload anything from my computer anymore. Blame AOL. So I have to send this to a friend and make sure it's still formatted right, and tell that friend my account information. But I've been pretty mad at the site recently, because of the not letting me upload thing. Also…thanks to my reviewers! Personalized thanks at the end.
Risika stood frozen outside the door. She felt numb, and was almost shaking. She had never so completely lost control before, become so weakened. Somehow, it made her feel small.
She peered cautiously into the dark room. Aubrey was unconscious on the bed. His body looked fragile, and she saw pain in his face. His aura was fading fast from her mind. She knew he didn't have much longer.
Caryn tapped her quietly on the shoulder. "We'll have to do it now, if you are willing to at all. He's slipping. Magic can no longer help him."
Risika just stared at Caryn, barely hearing her words. She couldn't move. Caryn was waiting for her consent, but Risika felt too distant to even speak at the moment. She felt as if she were somewhere else. She knew what was being asked of her. She would have to let Aubrey drink almost all of her blood. He needed a strong new supply, and complete blood-bonding was the best guarantee. Risika was the most afraid, and she wasn't the one whose life was in danger.
As she walked into Aubrey's room, she still felt out of place. Almost as if she were someone else. Almost human again.
"Are you ready?" Caryn asked her, her voice apprehensive.
Risika nodded, very slightly. Would she ever be ready to save the life of her sworn enemy? Would anyone be ready to do such a thing? There are so few who possess the kind of selfless courage that can altogether replace hatred.
However, as Risika stepped closer to Aubrey and glanced over his crumpled form, she felt no hatred. Only something else. Something, perhaps, a little like kinship. She had recently come to realize that no matter their past differences, they were both stuck in this world. And they could either let a world of stereotypes and revenge overtake them, or they could meet it head on and hope for the best. Risika chose the latter.
Caryn sent a gentle magical sort of shock through Aubrey, just enough to bring him to awareness. He sensed what he had to do and as Risika knelt down beside him, he silently begged her with is mind to trust him.
Risika didn't know if she could ever fully trust Aubrey, but as she felt his fangs pierce her skin and the first sharp jolt of pain, she realized a lot of things were changing. And she gladly let Aubrey into her mind to ease the pain.
It was that first moment of contact that was so jarring. In moments like this, when one gives oneself completely to the care of another, emotion becomes intertwined with physical awareness. There no longer exist scars or bruises, but trust and hope instead. It is from these moments that true inner strength is seen.
And Risika was amazed that she had found in herself the strength to help Aubrey. As he continued to slowly drink her blood, she was reminded that he would now be allowed the same free access to her mind as she was to his. But in a way, she did not mind. Aubrey had taught her that before you can truly judge someone, you must know them well enough to care about them.
Risika felt herself begin to slip into unconsciousness. She thought she would fall to the cold hard floor, but instead she felt Aubrey wrap a protective arm around her and draw her closer to himself.
The last thing she remembered before she passed out was Aubrey whispering, "Thank you" to her mind.
There was shuffling of feet, and dark blurry objects. Whispering of unintelligible words. A dark coldness that seemed to envelope everything. Numbness and foggy thoughts. Half-light, shadows. And someone very near by.
This was Risika's state of mind when she first began to return to consciousness. Nothing was clear to her, and more than even before she felt as if she were somewhere else, or someone else. Memories were unclear to her, and all she was certain of was the warm body below her, which she was being pressed tightly to by a pair of arms.
"Is she coming to?" she heard vaguely from nearby.
"I think so," came a deeper voice from much closer.
There was more shuffling of feet, and an opening and closing of a door. Slight movement beneath her.
"Are you alright?" She felt a hand tilt her head upwards.
Risika knew now who held her. Aubrey. She was beginning to remember everything, and starting to curse herself for what she had done. Denial is quite natural after such a feat of empathy. "Yes," came her muttered reply.
Risika tried to push herself off him, but Aubrey held her even tighter. "You're not getting away so fast this time, Rachel. You forget that I now know your thoughts."
Risika pushed herself up enough to look him in the eye. The proximity of their faces was making her somewhat uncomfortable. Then his words dawned on her. "Why…why do you keep calling me that? You called me that before when we…when…"
"When we kissed? Yes. Because the more I get to know you, the more I see that you still are partly Rachel. You were never turned completely evil, as so often happens to our kind. But the longer we forget who we used to be, the more complete our descension into darkness becomes. I've learned that from personal experience. You can never, ever get rid of the past. Believe me, I tried. At one point I was so ashamed to ever have been human that I spent most of the time in my wolf form. It was a stupid act of refusal. Humans have their flaws, but those flaws will never go away, not even through death. We just have to deal with them," Aubrey finished. He had looked her straight in the eye this entire time.
Risika had listened completely, wondering vaguely when exactly Aubrey had decided to become a motivational speaker. But she had taken his words to heart. And some of her earlier feelings that she had been so quick to attempt to dispel began to come back to her. Namely, the feeling of humanity once again. She still didn't understand that though.
Aubrey apparently sensed this, and, putting a warm hand on her face, spoke softly. "Because, humans have feelings. And in that one moment of emotion, we both knew what it was like to forget that we are forever cursed. Vampires claim to have no emotions but desire and the want for power. But we are not so far gone, I believe, as some of us claim to be."
Before Risika could even speak what she was thinking, Aubrey had pulled her face closer to his, and covered her mouth with his own. This time, Risika did not refuse the kiss. With it, she felt that centuries of hatred were forgotten, and that full trust in another was actually possible.
Aubrey deepened his kiss to her, and she was aware of how warm he felt. Before he had been so cold. Her blood had greatly revived him. She was glad in an unselfish way that she had helped him so much, and that he was grateful for it. With his hands stroking her hair and her back, she at last felt content.
But these newfound feelings were interrupted by the door being burst open quite suddenly. Caryn Smoke ran in, looking out of breath. "You have to get out of here," she panted.
A/N: Ahh yes, it is not over yet. And yeah, I realize this was a bunch of soap opera mush, but what can I say, I wanted to hurry up and get them together. And now I'm going to do something I should have started a long time ago, which is actually responding to reviews. Since I'm only starting now, I'm only doing the people who reviewed the last chapter. Don't think I don't love the rest of you though, there are just too many.
Fei: I too always wondered what Risika was up to during Demon in My View, which is part of why I wrote this. I mean, I personally didn't think she would get along too well with Jessica. And I would eat mangoes, except, unfortunately for me, I don't like them, lol.
Xing@fanfiction.net: Haha…thank you! Wow,that's a lot of reviews. Didn't notice before. You rock.
Mystic Kiwi (which by the way I think is an awesome screename): I'm flattered to know that someone who doesn't usually like them together likes my writing! Thank you as well.
Veritas 4 Eternity: My every-chapter reviewer! You rule. Thanks for everything, and as for writing Aubrey's POV I have considered doing that, but I'm not sure yet. I might, except that I like keeping a consistent feel to the story. Who knows though.
Midnight Scribbler: Yay! Glad to know I inspired you. By the way, good LOTR story.
Plastic: Thanks as well!
Liviana: She's okay now, lol!
Caller of the Dead: Of course I don't mind, and sorry about the grammar errors. I could use a beta reader if anyone's interested.
Fairygirl: Go Risika/Aubrey! Hehe. Thanks.
Ishi: Sorry for making you wait so long…but I still love writing cliffhangers, Heheh.
Gothendergirl666: well it wasn't soon, but I did. Thank you!
Risika stood frozen outside the door. She felt numb, and was almost shaking. She had never so completely lost control before, become so weakened. Somehow, it made her feel small.
She peered cautiously into the dark room. Aubrey was unconscious on the bed. His body looked fragile, and she saw pain in his face. His aura was fading fast from her mind. She knew he didn't have much longer.
Caryn tapped her quietly on the shoulder. "We'll have to do it now, if you are willing to at all. He's slipping. Magic can no longer help him."
Risika just stared at Caryn, barely hearing her words. She couldn't move. Caryn was waiting for her consent, but Risika felt too distant to even speak at the moment. She felt as if she were somewhere else. She knew what was being asked of her. She would have to let Aubrey drink almost all of her blood. He needed a strong new supply, and complete blood-bonding was the best guarantee. Risika was the most afraid, and she wasn't the one whose life was in danger.
As she walked into Aubrey's room, she still felt out of place. Almost as if she were someone else. Almost human again.
"Are you ready?" Caryn asked her, her voice apprehensive.
Risika nodded, very slightly. Would she ever be ready to save the life of her sworn enemy? Would anyone be ready to do such a thing? There are so few who possess the kind of selfless courage that can altogether replace hatred.
However, as Risika stepped closer to Aubrey and glanced over his crumpled form, she felt no hatred. Only something else. Something, perhaps, a little like kinship. She had recently come to realize that no matter their past differences, they were both stuck in this world. And they could either let a world of stereotypes and revenge overtake them, or they could meet it head on and hope for the best. Risika chose the latter.
Caryn sent a gentle magical sort of shock through Aubrey, just enough to bring him to awareness. He sensed what he had to do and as Risika knelt down beside him, he silently begged her with is mind to trust him.
Risika didn't know if she could ever fully trust Aubrey, but as she felt his fangs pierce her skin and the first sharp jolt of pain, she realized a lot of things were changing. And she gladly let Aubrey into her mind to ease the pain.
It was that first moment of contact that was so jarring. In moments like this, when one gives oneself completely to the care of another, emotion becomes intertwined with physical awareness. There no longer exist scars or bruises, but trust and hope instead. It is from these moments that true inner strength is seen.
And Risika was amazed that she had found in herself the strength to help Aubrey. As he continued to slowly drink her blood, she was reminded that he would now be allowed the same free access to her mind as she was to his. But in a way, she did not mind. Aubrey had taught her that before you can truly judge someone, you must know them well enough to care about them.
Risika felt herself begin to slip into unconsciousness. She thought she would fall to the cold hard floor, but instead she felt Aubrey wrap a protective arm around her and draw her closer to himself.
The last thing she remembered before she passed out was Aubrey whispering, "Thank you" to her mind.
There was shuffling of feet, and dark blurry objects. Whispering of unintelligible words. A dark coldness that seemed to envelope everything. Numbness and foggy thoughts. Half-light, shadows. And someone very near by.
This was Risika's state of mind when she first began to return to consciousness. Nothing was clear to her, and more than even before she felt as if she were somewhere else, or someone else. Memories were unclear to her, and all she was certain of was the warm body below her, which she was being pressed tightly to by a pair of arms.
"Is she coming to?" she heard vaguely from nearby.
"I think so," came a deeper voice from much closer.
There was more shuffling of feet, and an opening and closing of a door. Slight movement beneath her.
"Are you alright?" She felt a hand tilt her head upwards.
Risika knew now who held her. Aubrey. She was beginning to remember everything, and starting to curse herself for what she had done. Denial is quite natural after such a feat of empathy. "Yes," came her muttered reply.
Risika tried to push herself off him, but Aubrey held her even tighter. "You're not getting away so fast this time, Rachel. You forget that I now know your thoughts."
Risika pushed herself up enough to look him in the eye. The proximity of their faces was making her somewhat uncomfortable. Then his words dawned on her. "Why…why do you keep calling me that? You called me that before when we…when…"
"When we kissed? Yes. Because the more I get to know you, the more I see that you still are partly Rachel. You were never turned completely evil, as so often happens to our kind. But the longer we forget who we used to be, the more complete our descension into darkness becomes. I've learned that from personal experience. You can never, ever get rid of the past. Believe me, I tried. At one point I was so ashamed to ever have been human that I spent most of the time in my wolf form. It was a stupid act of refusal. Humans have their flaws, but those flaws will never go away, not even through death. We just have to deal with them," Aubrey finished. He had looked her straight in the eye this entire time.
Risika had listened completely, wondering vaguely when exactly Aubrey had decided to become a motivational speaker. But she had taken his words to heart. And some of her earlier feelings that she had been so quick to attempt to dispel began to come back to her. Namely, the feeling of humanity once again. She still didn't understand that though.
Aubrey apparently sensed this, and, putting a warm hand on her face, spoke softly. "Because, humans have feelings. And in that one moment of emotion, we both knew what it was like to forget that we are forever cursed. Vampires claim to have no emotions but desire and the want for power. But we are not so far gone, I believe, as some of us claim to be."
Before Risika could even speak what she was thinking, Aubrey had pulled her face closer to his, and covered her mouth with his own. This time, Risika did not refuse the kiss. With it, she felt that centuries of hatred were forgotten, and that full trust in another was actually possible.
Aubrey deepened his kiss to her, and she was aware of how warm he felt. Before he had been so cold. Her blood had greatly revived him. She was glad in an unselfish way that she had helped him so much, and that he was grateful for it. With his hands stroking her hair and her back, she at last felt content.
But these newfound feelings were interrupted by the door being burst open quite suddenly. Caryn Smoke ran in, looking out of breath. "You have to get out of here," she panted.
A/N: Ahh yes, it is not over yet. And yeah, I realize this was a bunch of soap opera mush, but what can I say, I wanted to hurry up and get them together. And now I'm going to do something I should have started a long time ago, which is actually responding to reviews. Since I'm only starting now, I'm only doing the people who reviewed the last chapter. Don't think I don't love the rest of you though, there are just too many.
Fei: I too always wondered what Risika was up to during Demon in My View, which is part of why I wrote this. I mean, I personally didn't think she would get along too well with Jessica. And I would eat mangoes, except, unfortunately for me, I don't like them, lol.
Xing@fanfiction.net: Haha…thank you! Wow,that's a lot of reviews. Didn't notice before. You rock.
Mystic Kiwi (which by the way I think is an awesome screename): I'm flattered to know that someone who doesn't usually like them together likes my writing! Thank you as well.
Veritas 4 Eternity: My every-chapter reviewer! You rule. Thanks for everything, and as for writing Aubrey's POV I have considered doing that, but I'm not sure yet. I might, except that I like keeping a consistent feel to the story. Who knows though.
Midnight Scribbler: Yay! Glad to know I inspired you. By the way, good LOTR story.
Plastic: Thanks as well!
Liviana: She's okay now, lol!
Caller of the Dead: Of course I don't mind, and sorry about the grammar errors. I could use a beta reader if anyone's interested.
Fairygirl: Go Risika/Aubrey! Hehe. Thanks.
Ishi: Sorry for making you wait so long…but I still love writing cliffhangers, Heheh.
Gothendergirl666: well it wasn't soon, but I did. Thank you!