Title: Live For The Moment

Author: CuriousDreamWeaver

E-mail: curiousdreamweaver@hotmail.com

Summary: Severus can't help longing for the exquisite promises he sees in her eyes, but he can't let himself love. To love is to lose; something his father taught him well. But will he give in and love? Or will she lose another lover to fate?

Warnings: There will be slash from the HP/DM department, um, violence in later chapters, and maybe a few lime scenes.

Pairings: SS/OC (main), HP/DM, RW/HG

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters in it. The only thing I own are the characters I've made up and you'll know who they are. Don't worry, it'll be blatantly obvious that they're OCs. LOL

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Chapter Two

Achika tilted her head to the side as she caught the scent of something approaching. She sniffed again and raised an eyebrow. Interesting.

"Achika?

She turned back to face Albus and smiled apologetically when he raised an eyebrow at her distracted expression. "Gomen[1]. What was that?

"I was just saying that the other staff members will be here soon. After lunch, would you like to take a walk with me around the grounds?"

Achika nodded. "I would love to. I would love to see the lake again. It was always one of my favourite places here. It was always so lovely. Even with the various aquatic creatures in it."

"It would be my pleasure. I do agree though, the lake is very charming, is it not? Especially at night with the moonlight.

"Yes, I've always preferred the night to day. Silver is much more elegant than gold." Achika murmured as she glanced at the silver and green crest of Slytherin against the wall. She was admiring the craftsmanship of the crest when the doors were thrown open and a black clad figure strode in, his long robes swirling around him dramatically as he stepped into the room. He seemed to ignore Albus completely and walked right up to Achika, stopping only when he was a few feet away. His dark eyes raked over her intently.

"Kami-sama[2]." Achika whispered in disbelief, as she looked him in the eye. Those same dark eyes with flecks of amber.

He towered over her smaller frame by at least a foot, her head only coming up to his chest. Though he might not be handsome, she found him quite attractive. His dark eyes were penetrating and enigmatic even as they searched hers in something akin to confusion. Despite his voluminous robes, she had seen the outline of a wiry and lanky frame from where it pressed against him as he had moved towards her.

Up close, he smelt of power and dominance. Underneath the spices on him was the faint smell of sweat and musk, a wholly masculine smell. Beneath it all, however, was the scent of blood that all his kind shared. She shivered. It was an incredibly sexy scent. It was a hauntingly familiar scent.

"Severus, you've come just in time to meet our new DADA professor." Albus said brightly.

"What?" Severus blinked quickly as he broke out of his daze and turned to face Albus.

"This is Achika Kamihoshi. She'll be the new DADA teacher." Albus gestured to Severus. "Achika, this is Severus Snape. He is our Potions professor and resident Potions Master.

Achika nodded in an almost jerky manner and bowed deeply before offering her hand. "Dozoyuroshiku[3]. I'm very pleased to meet you Snape-dono[4]." There was a slight tremor in her voice and Severus looked at her sharply.

Severus looked at her for a long moment. She was beautiful, he had to say that. Her exotic features were quite captivating. He noticed she wasn't wearing wizard robes, only muggle clothing. She was very petite, not like the usual willowy females he preferred. Her scent, while still strange, was very alluring. It was a strange mixture of power and strength, jasmine and rain, incredibly feminine and just as sultry. It was almost familiar, he couldn't place where he had smelt it before. He clenched his teeth against the wave of desire that hit him. He had to get out of the room. Now.

"Hn." He grunted, not quite prepared to reply and ignored her hand. Achika felt a pang of disappointment but hid it behind a smile. Severus glared at Albus and turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

"He's very interesting." Achika murmured as she watched him disappear from view. Something clicked in her mind and she bit her lip. It couldn't be. Fate wouldn't be so cruel to her, would it?

"I must apologise about that. Normally he's not that abrupt. I think it's the stress of the coming term." Albus said apologetically.

Achika gave him a small smile and waved a hand in dismissal. "It's all right Albus. I don't mind. He does seem a littleÉ agitated. I'm sure that we'll work well together.

"I'm sure you'll charm him like you do everyone you meet." Albus said in amusement. A thoughtful glimmer lit up his eyes when he noticed how her eyes lingered on the doors where Severus had exited. How interesting.

"Shall we continue our tour?" Albus offered her his arm with a smile.

"Yes, please." She smiled back and took his arm and let him lead her out of the Great Hall and towards the lake. Perhaps this was just what she had always dreamed of. Another chance. But would it be enough?

"Tell me Achika, what's the real reason you left Japan? I know there was my letter, but something like that would not have been enough to make you arrive so early." He felt her fingers tighten on his arm and gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "It's all right, I won't pry.

"No, no. It's all right. After all, I might as well tell you now and avoid making a scene later when something else happens."

"I see. Is it serious?

"It depends on how you define serious."

He looked at her over the rim of his glasses and she sighed.

"As you well know, I've finally reached my majority. As such, every single unattached male within the clans is zealously courting me, as well as a few females. It's very vexing trying to live peacefully when two or three suitors a day start brawling in my parlour in a pathetic effort to catch my eye! I have been told that I have to choose soon by most of elders in an effort to stop the fighting but I have no desire to just randomly choose a partner.

"Perhaps it's not someone from the clans you're interested in?" He questioned carefully.

"Perhaps." Achika conceded. Her eyes drifted back towards the castle. "He seems very interesting. He reminds me of someone." She added quietly, a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

"You torture yourself." Albus murmured as he gently hugged her shoulders.

Achika immediately stiffened and turned away. "Don't." She whispered.

"It was almost eighty years ago Achika. You have to let it go." Albus replied gently.

"It was seventy eight years ago." Achika clarified. "And he does remind me of Kioshi[5]. He has the same eyes."

"There are many people with dark brown eyes."

"But none like Kioshi." She replied stubbornly. "He has the same eyes."

Albus looked at her sadly as she insisted. He knew she had never stopped grieving for her lost lover and she most likely never would. He had been over two hundred years her senior but she had persisted. They had been happy for a time. Before everything happened.

"But no two people have the same eyes.

"Exactly."

"You cannot insist that he's... You think he's Kioshi?

"No, I don't think. I know he is. I did not spend twenty years with him without knowing who he is." She turned and he saw the blaze of determination in her eyes. "And I will not lose him again."

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[1] Sorry

[2] God. Though in this context, I'm using it to mean ÔOh my God'.

[3] Pleased to meet you

[4] Ðdono is suffix applied after a name to denote respect. It's the equivalent of a very respectful ÔMister' or ÔMiss'. It's similar to Ô-san' but much more formal.

[5] Kioshi means Ôquiet'. I thought it was cute. LOL

Thanks to all the following people who reviewed.

shaznay17

GenX-Revolution

K-iska-Muggle-Girl-0731

Flaire Delacour with Faith

I really appreciate it. I hope you weren't too disappointed with this chapter. Sorry it took ages to come out.