A/N: All right, I am really, really, really, sorry I haven't updated in, what was it? Over a month? Wow, I didn't even know I had neglected this for so long. I don't really have a good excuse. Our computer got sick and Microsoft Word didn't work. I've also been emerged in school work (the same work I should be doing now….but I'm taking a long break) I have no clue when I'll be able to update again; finals for semester are this week and I'll be really busy, I'm going to write another story (not a fan fic) for a creative writing contest. Anyways, this is a really long author's note and I apologize, but I feel you should know what's happening.

Disclaimer: This will probably be my last disclaimer because they're really a bloody nuisance and everyone knows that I own nothing of Jack (no matter how much I would love to), The Pearl, or anything even remotely connected with Pirates of the Caribbean…except my DVD and the countless merchandise I buy.

So without further delay, here is the next installment of A Vampire's Kiss. Enjoy!

Living in Nothing

I'm back again. I need to continue my story whether you like it or not; it's my duty to my beloved that our tale be known. I'm sorry it's been a while; those stupid mortals cannot seem to leave an old vampire to rest. I was running again because I can't die before this account ends; when I'm finished maybe I will stop. Anyways, I hope I left you hanging onto my last words, if not that's okay too. Now, where was I? Oh yes, I was born to darkness…

As I stepped from my grave, my darkened vision outlined Benjamin who was impatiently waiting for my eyes to adjust. My sight cleared and I saw him striding up to me with a wide grin on his face. "Welcome to the undead, darling!"

Well, I wasn't fully expecting that, but forced a smile nonetheless. It was then that I realized I felt deathly sick and wanted nothing more than to bend over and vomit on his shoes. I voiced my opinion so; excluding the shoes, and a small smirk graced his lips. With a swift movement of his arm a small vile of dark liquid was produced and thrust forward into my hesitant hands. I was ordered to drink.

It was my first taste of human blood; had I known of the contents I would have never put it to my lips but, alas, the fluid flows through my veins and is meant for my tongue. It caressed my throat on its way down almost teasingly. Even after all these years and so many victims, I remember that metallic taste of mortality. I drank thirstily from the small vial, all previous suspicions of what it was vanishing as my ailing left.

When I had finished, I licked my lips and again looked to Benjamin. He still had that annoying smirk on his face; I knew that he was keeping something from me. "What was this?"

"That was your husband's blood." I almost nodded at the blunt words before they sank in. Blood? From my husband? My first feed and it was from my husband. Brilliant. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hug him or slap him.

"You killed my husband?"

"Why would I do that? I suppose your common stereotype of vampires is that we have fangs, suck from people's necks, and turn into bats, right?" I nodded my head dumbly. He sighed before continuing, "I presume I have much to tell you then. I cannot very well let a vampire roam around thinking they must kill. You had better sit down, Lady, there is much to tell. I did not kill your husband; I met him at the funeral service this morning and he was just plump and thick with life—I had to take a little." I wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disgusted at his words. A little part of me wished that Edward was dead, but I felt immediately guilty for thinking that.

The night progressed as he told me the tale of vampires: how they are commonly mistreated, they're habits, how they survive, and their weaknesses. I won't bother to explain them to you for I know that you will eventually hear all about it in the course of the story. Benjamin didn't stay long; at dawn he departed, feeling I could take care of myself; he left me with one thing though, a name that originated in Japan. He told me that it was common to receive an alias from the country in which you had died.

Mine was Suzume.

I will not yet explain the significance of that name to you. It is truly ironic that I had received it; I believe it was meant in a completely different light. Another time I will explain its meaning and what came with it. Rarely would I use it, but neither would I ever forget it. When my true gravestone is set up, that will be the name engraved on the hard rock; the fact that it would appear as if I had lived several centuries—which I have—will hopefully elude anyone that cares to drop by the cemetery. Now I'm rambling, and I do not have the time to. Onward we go.

It was only after he had left, and I decided to leave the eerie cemetery, did I really notice where I was. I had obviously been brought back to London, which made me wonder just how long I was dead. As dawn's rose fingertips caressed the horizon, I remembered what Benjamin had told me. I had always thought that vampires burned and exploded in the sun, but it turns out that we can tolerate it and it only made us slightly uncomfortable. The older vampires could stay out in it longer and it never bothered them, but us young ones easily gathered sunburns.

I knew where I was, not far from the place I used to call home, and I started walking towards it before I realized that I couldn't just waltz back into my house. Everyone thought I was dead. What good would that do? I quickly turned around and headed the other direction. I had no idea as to where I would go; I was completely alone. As I walked down the barely lit street, I noticed there were several less-than-honorable places. I thought those as good as place as any and walked into the nicest looking inn. It had quite a cozy feeling inside and I suppose I looked a little strange renting a room in the morning rather than night. I walked up to the desk at the front nonetheless and asked for a room. The man working was dozing off and jumped when I spoke. He mumbled something, took my money, and gave me a key.

I found my room and quickly walked inside locking the door behind me. It wasn't anything special: a bed, chair, table, and mirror. A mirror, I wanted to see how I looked.

The reflection in the glass shocked me—yes, vampires have reflections—I thought I would look something totally different, but the only thing that really surprised me was my state of dress. I guess I shouldn't have been considering I was buried and dead. I was wearing the black dress I had always wanted to be buried in, and a veil over my face. It wasn't anything special, just simple, but I did look as if I had just risen from the grave. My face was much paler than normal, my fingernails longer and pointed, eyes slightly sunken in but not horrifically so; it just looked as if I had gotten enough sleep. My hair was darker, but that might have just been the fact that my face was almost white and made it contrast greatly; it flowed down my back tangled in most places. I opened my mouth just to confirm what Benjamin had said. He told me that vampires didn't usually get pointed fangs, but there was always an exception. He had slightly pointed canines and so, too, did I.

I'm afraid from here, there is an enormous gap that was really rather dull. I spent years upon years traveling from one place to another. Vampires can run abnormally fast so I didn't have to always get from place to place with some source of transportation. I didn't always stay in inns either; it just depended on where and when I was. I met few people, preferring to keep to myself, staying places in England rather than straying further than I needed. I spent these years developing and refining my skills to perfection. Only after I decided to go to the coast did I meet someone that I let someone get to know me.

I can't recall the name of the town I was passing through; only that it was situated along the coast of England towards the North Sea. I hadn't fed in weeks and I was weak from exhaustion of traveling and little nutrients. A vampire can only go so long on normal food before blood is needed.

It was late at night, probably early morning when I met him. A man was foolishly walking alone near the dark alleyway I was lurking in. He appeared drunk, and I was reckless with hunger so I immediately dove upon him and heaved him into the alley. I thought he was knocked unconscious so I rolled up his billowy sleeve and pricked a vein with one pointed fingertip. I began to feed and was so lost in the taste that I didn't notice the man was indeed awake, and had grabbed a weapon. Apparently, I had looked over the fact that he was heavily armed. I was knocked unconscious by the blunt end of a pistol and my last thoughts were that the man was still bleeding because I didn't get the chance to heal the wound.

Sorry it's so short, but like I said, I've been busy. I felt that I should at least write a little something to keep you coming back. Wouldn't want you to forget it! Oh, and I'm working on a picture of my vampiress so when I finish I'll post the link in my profile.

Thanks so much to my reviewers! You guys are going to be the heart and soul of this story. If no one reviews, I'll assume everyone hates it and stop writing because it takes up a lot of my spare time and some time that I probably shouldn't be devoting to this lol, but I want to pursue a writing career and it always helps to get in some practice. So thanks again to Prophet Song, Okanim, bluejay, and Pirates-arr-me-life63!