Blood on the Moon
By Lydiby
Chapter V

Lethargically, I sat in the pew long after everyone had left for the wake. The police force had found her blood all over the club floor. Far too much blood for anyone to survive without a transfusion. I stared up at the intricately decorated alter and wondered that things like this could happen. There was no way I could face her mother again. So I sat there.

"Usagi, I'm sorry I was so callus. I didn't mean to be so cold to you. I never meant to be," Darien said, his voice held more emotion in it than I'd heard yet. For a moment it was like one of the rare conversations I'd had with Mamoru. I didn't turn around to see him sitting behind me and destroy the illusion.

"I thought vampires couldn't come in churches." I avoided a relevant reply.

"Most people think we can't go out in sunlight either," he returned, casually.

A silence filled the cavernous sanctuary. I had nothing to say, who was he to offer condolences? He'd killed her! What, was I supposed to cry on his shoulder now? Even as a vampire he was a portentous jerk, and a portentous murderer too. What was I supposed to do?

My eyes stung like wind driven rain against skin and my throat ached, tightening as if a slipknot was closing about my neck.

"Just leave me alone. I have enough to deal with," I gasped out and twisted around.

More stunning than anything else so far were the bloody tears soundlessly slipping down his cheeks. Frozen in every respect, I merely stared at him. I saw a little boy that had been long, long lost and more pain than anyone one could bear, but also a glacier. Then my brief insight was gone and with it went an impulse to give a benediction of forgiveness.

"Leave."

Simple, a whisper that rustled years of dust hidden on archways and plaster ornaments; contained more force than twelve times the decibel. It contained the force to make a vampire leave.

Fervently, I prayed it would be the last time our paths would cross lest I became a murderer, like him.

Aimless, I wondered up and down streets. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. I felt bleached and frayed around the edges. After an hour or two of simply walking, I drifted into a Starbucks. For no other reason than to inhale a scent that reeked of life, for something that would make me feel tangible again.

"Usagi-chan, please talk to me," a voice flowed like water, washing away the poison of the English language.

My senses were still dulled and looking up I hardly registered what I saw.

"Ami?" I breathed. Aqua eyes glowed with concern, azure hair cascading over her shoulders as she leaned forward. Behind the classy dark frames her brilliant eyes were ringed in black. Frowning at me she reached forward to raise my chin. Terrified, I jerked back, unsure of her existence and what I was seeing. A hurt expression rose in the pools.

"Please don't touch me Ami-chan, if you are not real I'd rather not know," I murmured hastily.

"I'm not going anywhere until you're ready, but as you wish."

She dropped gracefully into the chair across from me. Her hair was long now; the sides tied back. Letting the rest hang lose. I flickered over the changes, for the most part subtle. Ami had been pretty, now she was vibrantly gorgeous in a way that makeup had no part in. A French blue collar opened at her pale throat contrasting against the black v-neck sweater. She was sharp and timeless.

"You're dead," I numbly stated.

"Sometimes death doesn't matter, Usagi. It depends on how you look at it. Being dead does not mean you are gone. It is just another change that is part of life." A faint sad smile spread across her face.

"I don't understand," I muttered.

"After the battle," she hesitated, "I was changed."

"What do you mean changed?" I asked, slowly.

"The Terran vampire clan adopted me and though I died, saved me from the final sleep," she returned, speaking equally slowly for clarity.

"Usagi, I'm not sure what's going on right now, but threads of fate are coming together again. We will still find the princess; we will still fulfill our duties. The path is different, but the destiny is the same."

"Ami-chan, Mina and I have barely survived without you. How am I to manage here on my own? You've got to help us," I pleaded.

"My part in this has changed," she shook her head, "You, Usagi are the lead in this waltz of fate. When the light is revealed, the rest will follow. The Crystal will guide you to the Princess's heart. Don't worry Usagi, you will know. A dancer must learn to cue from the innuendos of the music. Listen and you will hear."

"You have too much faith in me Ami," I said, hopelessly, "I'm a klutz, I'll trip the whole thing up and fail Her."

"I have to, since you won't have any faith in yourself," she mock retorted. I favored her a weak smile.

"I have to go Usagi. We will meet again, be of good courage, Usagi-chan."

Her eyes shone with kindness as she stood, kissed my forehead, bowed, and left. I watched her walk down the street, feeling immeasurably better. Ami glided through the crowds with a liquid poise. I sat there until I couldn't see her anymore.