The night came as quickly as it left.
Darren, Mr. Crepsly, and Arwyn began their trek into the woods.
"Do you think we'll ever find them?" asked Arwyn.
"Of course we will!" Darren snapped, but calmed down, "…we have to."
Kirin woke up feeling a bit groggy. When her eyes were fully adjusted, she saw Kuroi staring at her.
"Kuroi! Where have you been?!" Kirin yelled.
"Shhh, I was in the other room, the binds weren't that strong," she said reaching up and unlocking Kirin's chains.
"Where'd you get the key?"
"Got if from a guard that passed by my room."
'Something's not right…' Kirin thought suspiciously.
When she was done, Kirin rubbed her wrists, trying to get the blood flowing.
"Come on!" Kuroi yelled running out.
"Kuroi wait!" yelled Kirin.
She followed after the silver haired vampiress until she came to a door. Finding no trace of Kuroi she opened it.
"Welcome," said Steve.
A sadistic grin was on his face. Kuroi came up behind him and draped an arm across his chest.
"So glad you didn't get lost," she said.
"Kuroi what are you doing?" Kirin asked, afraid of the answer.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"But…I thought…"
"You thought wrong! Do you know the reason why I never put any of my blood in the Stone of Blood?"
"Yes…you said you didn't want to be too attached to the clan…"
"Wrong! Because I know that if the Stone of Blood is destroyed, I'll be destroyed with it. And Steve wouldn't have it, would you koi (1)?"
"No, No I wouldn't," he said touching her hand that was across his chest.
"No…you can't be!" Kirin yelled.
"Believe it. All those years, all those fights, I've been faking it all," Kuroi said.
Tears fell down Kirin's face.
"But what about when Gannen pierced your side? What about all those secrets you told me? What about your sister?!" Kirin choked out.
"All fake, I have no sister, the girl was just a vampaneze woman who was acting it. Gannen really pierced my side, but he made sure not to hit any vital points. All those secrets I told you were made up. For 18 years I'd been tricking you all. The only thing that was true about me was that I'm Japanese," Kuroi explained.
"Now, Kirin, be a good girl and lead us up the mountain so we can get the Stone of Blood," Gannen said placing a blade to her neck.
TBC(1) koi- Japanese for love