A/N: Chapter Nine! Well, school started for me about a week ago, and I've got homework and such that I probably should be doing right now, but you know, This is just so much more fun! ANYWHO, There's not much else to say, so I'll stop.

ON WITH THE STORY!

…………………………………………………………………

They each found a rock and curled up against it, using their own arms for pillows, and lay down for a while, talking until it got dark, when they started to nod off.

It had been a pleasant day.

……………………………………………………………………………………

The next day, Whisper and Darren kept walking, and walking, and…walking. They stopped every now and then to take a drink at the river, or to rest, but most of their trek was otherwise uneventful. We meet our heroes on one of their breaks, while Whisper is reminiscing and Darren is off somewhere, feeding.

Rest Stop

Whisper sat, cross-legged, on the dirt ground. Next to her sat her book, and on the other side of her, the river flowed fluently. Her hands rested on her knees, and her eyes were closed. She was meditating. Her thoughts flowed fluidly in and out of her mind, and after each thought passed by, her mind returned to a blank white space. She thought of the events of the past day or so: the river, sharing her secret, the kiss. Their kiss had crossed both Darren's and Whisper's minds many times, and it seemed neither would mind a repeat performance.

Thought…

Thought…

Rustle.

Whisper's eyes snapped open at the noise. Her eyes darted around her alertly, trying to decide what had made the noise. Darren was still gone, and she had to be on her guard. When nothing happened, she shrugged, and warily glanced around once more before closing her eyes and resuming her meditations.

Thought…

Thought…

Thought…

Snap.

Whisper's eyes snapped open once again and she sprang to her feet, pulling her pocket knife from her belt, and snapping out the blade. She stood stock still for about a minute, straining her ears for any noise at all. Her eyes darted about, and she held her blade about a foot from her body, as to defend herself, if needed.

Rustle.

Snap.

Whisper whipped around at the noise behind her. When she got all the way around, she found a young man standing there. He was tall, and his hair was pulled back into an extremely loose bind, wisps of dark hair framing his face, while his long and rather choppy bangs fell partially over his eyes, the longest bangs reaching his cheekbones. He had a slender figure, which was adorned in very dark green and dark brown robes. The way the light hit him, the shadows from his hair hid his eyes, so she could not see what color they were. His skin was very smooth and very pale. His stance was alert, but relaxed, and the hilt of a very impressive-looking sword was poking out at his hip from under his black cloak, and one large hand rested on it.

They stood in silence for a moment, contemplating each other.

He was the first to speak.

"Hello there," He said warily. His voice was very deep and smooth. "I didn't expect to find a teenage girl this far into my wood… a beautiful one no less…"

Whisper tightened her grip on the handle of her pocket knife. "Who are you? Where did you come from?" She asked quickly, the words rushing out of her mouth. He smirked when he noticed how flustered she seemed to be getting, even though she hid it well.

"I go by many names, but the one you may use is Marakel. I am the protector of this wood, it is my home. Now, tell me. Where is it that you came from? Your name would also be useful information, if you will humor me." His speech was so relaxed, he seemed to find no threat whatsoever in Whisper. He didn't seem to be quite surprised to find her there either; he kept a VERY cool head.

Whisper opened her mouth to utter a scathing reply, but just then she saw a blur of black and white, and alas, Darren now stood protectively in front of her, one hand balled into a tight fist and the other one stiffened, like he was preparing to use his sharp fingernails like claws.

"Who the hell are you? What do you want?" Darren asked dangerously. He glanced back at Whisper, as if to make sure that Marakel hadn't done anything violent or obscene to her, and then turned back to Marakel, apparently satisfied.

"Darren…" Whisper said softly, reaching out to rest a hand on his shoulder, but both of them ignored her, still sizing each other up.

"I am Marakel, Lord and protector of this wood. I have been following you since yesterday. What business have you here?" He said. It seemed as thought Marakel had been practicing this line since he had started following them yesterday.

Darren opened his mouth to reply, but Whisper stepped out from behind Darren, and walked right up to Marakel, lowering her knife to her side on the way, craning her neck upwards as she got closer so as to maintain eye contact with him, as he was much taller that she was. She stopped when she was about two inches away from him, and said. "Forgive me…I am Whisper… and this is my companion, Darren. We were swept down the river a few days the other day, and we are lost. Our camp is near the West clearing, with the large maple tree. I'm sure you know it, seeing as this is your forest and all. D'you think maybe you could help us get our way back?"

Whisper… The word ricocheted around loudly in Darren's head, as he felt a pang of jealousy rush through him.

Marakel stood staring down at Whisper for a moment, until he finally replied to her. "Yes… I suppose I could help you... for a price." He grinned. At this, Darren spoke up.

"Oh yeah? And just what do you want? Riches? Food? Whisper? You want me to hand over Whisper so you can whisk her away and – "

"Oh, heavens, no. I just need you to lead me to a human. I haven't fed in a while… These foxes just do not quench the thirst after a while. Oh yes, don't look at me like that, you are not human, either. I can smell the vampire in you. Ah, but you, my lady are still untainted…" Said Marakel.

He's a VAMPIRE! Thought Whisper.

"You won't lay a finger on her as long as I can help it." Darren growled angrily, his hand darting out and catching a handful of the back of Whisper's shirt and snatching her close to him, one arm holding her tightly to his chest and the other held away from his body curled into a tight fist.

Marakel stood there for a moment, staring at Darren intensely. His expression changed to bewilderment and suddenly he spoke.

"Ah, you are new to the clan, are you not? You haven't yet tasted human blood yet, have you?" Marakel burst.

"N-No I can't say that I have." Said Daren scathingly.

Whisper pushed away from Darren, (sensing a fight brewing), and stood in the middle of the two of them.

"Okay. Darren, Calm down, I do not think that this man is a foe. Let him help us. Marakel, lead us home, and you shall have an abundant supply of humans, the camp is crawling with them. Just be discreet and don't kill anybody, please. Now can we stop arguing and set camp? The sun will be setting soon." Whisper said agreeably.

Throwing one last glare at each other, both of them sighed and reluctantly followed Whisper to find somewhere that they could stop for the night.

To be continued………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………

A/N: Well, there's chapter nine! I'm SOOO SOO SOOOO sorry that it took so long for me to update… I've been babysitting a friend of mine's baby. Doing homework, and doing other things, so it took me a while to get this written out. I hope you all like my new character, Marakel! I'm really sorry that the chapter isn't longer, but I just wanted to get a chapter poster before you all forgot about me! Anyway, Send in those reviews and tell me what you think!