Chapter 5:

SEMI-IMPORTANT AN: Most of this chap is an original songfic set to the tune of Rupert Giles' "Wish I Could Stay" from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical ("Once More With Feeling") (which I also do not own) Okay then…

Riho didn't go straight to the office. Instead she found herself wandering the beach, her form silhouetted against the swiftly darkening sky. She felt weird about her decision.Was her promise to Jayne a betrayal to Shido? Still, her patience was wearing thin; she wasn't a hasty person but it hurt too much spending all her time with her sire and not being loved back. And anyway, was Shido a coward or did he simply feel nothing romantic toward her? Would it be worse for him to not love her at all or love her only as a friend and sort-of-daughter? Riho wasn't sure.

Her thoughts turned back to Jayne, his only fault was being frivolous with females, but he had been loyal to their agreement. He was truly amazing, more handsome than any movie star,relentlessly charming, sinfully sexy, doting and attentive, a great listener, he obviously knew his way around a woman's heart. She felt a twinge in her own heart, 'Is it possible that I love Jayne too?' She always felt ecstatic to see him but still felt a need to cling to her hope of spending a blissful eternity with Tatsuhiko Shido.

The young vampiress swayed to the music crashing in the waves around her. She began to hum, wrapping her weary arms tight around herself. She started to sing an impromptu song in a light, wistful voice:

-Riho's Epihany-

"So I'm your girlfriend and I like that role

And Shido's hesitancy takes its toll

And waiting for him is surely getting old

And I

You're so perfect and with undeserving me

But Shido's past is what stops him from taking me

And there's things in him that he only shares with me

So I

I wish I could stay between you, loving you along with him

Wish I could love you equal, let each man hold one hand

Wish I could stay here in my life of sin

But can I trust my heart?

I can't love you while I'm loving him

If I can't be fair, my love-life's pretty grim

I know you'll stay here if I ask you to second him

But I

I think I love you but my heart's surely tellin' lies

I know I hurt you, I can see it in your eyes

I almost wish you wouldn't stand here by my side

Cause I

I wish I could stay between you, loving you along with him

Wish I could love you equal, let each man hold one hand

Wish I could stay here in my life of sin

But how can I trust my heart?

How can I choose when I'm so happy?

My heart feels so used and just so crappy

I truly wish you could both stay like this with me

And I

I get that my chances are seeming pretty slim

But Shido can't forever stay this dim

My body's yours for now, but my soul belongs to him

Still I

Wish I could stay between you, love you along with him

Wish I could love you equal, each man holding one hand

Wish I could stay here in my life of sin

But how can I trust my heart?

Can I really trust my heart?"