Before I start the story, thought I'd ask around for opinions.

So who's your favourite character?

Qu@tre : Thanks man! My first fan!! Whoot!

Kerio: Read on boy!

Here goes…

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Jade tried to unlock the door as quietly as she can, but she failed as the door opened with a loud "click" that announced her entrance. Wincing, she cursed silently at the door.

Jasper was coming down the stairs and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "So late?" He asked disapprovingly. Jade motioned for him to be quiet and pushed him into the kitchen. "Jasp? I had a strange experience today." Jade started slowly as she poured herself a cup of warm water. Jasper sat himself in one of the chairs around the dining table. Looking questioningly at Jade, he prompted his sister to continue.

Jade related the night's event to Jasper. "This guy, Kyle, who is in my Biology class? I met him in the café tonight and… I know this sounds stupid, but I felt like our souls connected when he knocked into me and I fell on him." Sneaking a glance at Jasper, Jade continued, "I felt… for a moment as though we were…" she paused as she searched for the right words, "destined to be together."
Jasper did not react upon listening to Jade's account. Worried that he had fallen asleep due to his medication, Jade went over and stopped short as Jasper replied, "Jade, how does that Kyle look like?"

Jade was exasperated. What, all that Jasper was concerned about was actually whether Kyle looked good? "He looked wonderful of course! Jet black hair with matching black eyes… that one could melt into and…"

"Alright, alright, spare me more details that can get my ego bruised. According to your description, is he almost 'other-worldly'?" Jasper cut in.

Jade considered for a moment. Now that her brother had put it rather aptly. She had to admit that Kyle did not seemed like any other human. The way that he moved, the aura that he seemed to radiate… "Yeah. Why do you ask?"

Jasper gave a smirk smile that looked so cute Jade almost could not resist pinching his cheeks if he did not look so fragile. "I knew it… It's called …"

* * * * * *

"The soulmate principle." Kyle spat. Russell rocked back and forth in his chair as he munched on some popcorn. Hearing what Kyle said, he threw some popcorn at him and smiled gleefully.

"Hey dude, congrats! It's finally time you got yourself a soulmate too!" Russell laughed. Kyle glared at him and muttered, "It's with a vermin."

Russell stopped dead in his rocking and looked at Kyle as though he had grown two heads. Kyle gave him a "well?" look and out of the blue, Russell set down the bucket of popcorn and erupted in laughter.

Kyle thought of dumping the whole bucket of popcorn over Russell's head but controlled himself. After all, knowing Russell for so long, he should have seen such reaction coming from him.

Finally Russell managed to control his laughter and tried to look as serious as Kyle. "You're worried about the law, isn't it?" Failing miserably to imitate Kyle, Russell's face broke out in smiles again.

Kyle walked over to the window and looked out. The city's night view was breathtaking, but he was in no mood to appreciate it. "Russ? I wish I am like you, having a Night Person as my soulmate." He shook his head sadly. "She won't end up well with me. The elders! They would have a fit if they knew about this!"

Russell was thoughtful. "I doubt the elders can do anything about it. True, there's a law that states that a Night Person must not fall in love with a human. But rules are meant to be broken, aren't they?"
"Besides, if you truly worry about she being a human, there's another way out." Russell said. Kyle closed his eyes as he knew what Russell was suggesting. "We can sire her. Change her into a vampire and, voila! Problem solved!" Russell threw himself back into the chair and changed the channel on the television.

"By the way, have you made things clear to Clio yet?" Russell asked Kyle. Kyle settled down in one of the armchairs and said, "Broken up? Yes. Explained? No. She'll be so… disappointed in me if she finds out the reason. And thanks to the soulmate, I earned myself a slap from Clio." Russell gave a little laugh, either the scene in the television was funny, or he felt Clio's reaction a joke.

"But seriously," Russell said, ignoring the raised eyebrow of Kyle upon hearing him say the word 'seriously', "Who do you think could be the spy?"

Kyle shrugged, "I don't know. Now that I'm the suspect of the council, I bet they are putting me under surveillance."

Russell was sympathetic. "It must have been hard on you. Just your bad luck that Clio had to belong to Blood Iris. I could tell that the girl was totally into you."

* * * * * *

"How is it, doctor?" Paula asked. From the look on the doctor's face, Jasper's heart sank. He buttoned up his shirt and waited for the doctor's diagnosis. It seemed almost an eternity before the man spoke, no doubt regretfully, "I'm afraid he's only got two weeks left."

Jasper felt numbed and detached as he watched his mother's face crumple. He looked away, in fear that he might cry too. No, that would only upset his mother further. It was going to be over for him soon, but his mother still had to live on. He must not make her more upset.

Jade had been silent all these while. She knew that Jasper's condition was deteriorating, but she never expected it to be so bad. She hugged her sobbing mother and tried to comfort her. Looking at Jasper, his face a blank, she did not know how life was going to be like for the Finsters without Jasper. He was the sunshine of the family, the apple in her mother's eyes. Oh, just how are they going to deal with it?

On the way home, Jasper made some request. "Absolutely not! How can I…" Paula broke down halfway through the sentence, "let my baby go to school at… at such a time?" Jade however, felt differently. "Mom, just because Jasper has leukemia, it doesn't mean that he can't continue his life as usual!"

Paula knew that she had to try to be as sensible as possible, but her heart just breaks at the thought that Jasper would be leaving her side soon. How could she not try to get as much time with Jasper as possible? Holding back her tears, she said, "All right then. Just promise me you'll take very good care of yourself."

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Vampire: Well, this chapter has got not much action, but expect something interesting next chapter. Should be up in a day or two. So keep reading! Meanwhile, please review my story by clicking the button on the bottom left corner of this page! Thank you so much!