L.W.K: …Ummm…7?

V. Sarah: O.o; -Sweatdrops-

Yami: You feeling okay?

L.W.K: Nope. I think my brain broke about a mile back. I've been really sick…and stress is eeeeeeevil…

Vampy Bakura: Maybe I could give you a little kiss to make it bett…

L.W.K: Nice try but…DROP DEAD, PSYCHO! –Glares-

Vampy Bakura: I'll take that as a maybe. L.W.K wanted me to do those darn dedications this time, so yeah. And so I don't mess anything up she gave me a script.

This story is still dedicated to: The writer "Divey", L.W.K's good friend. She writes awesome angst and fluff alike…two categories which L.W.K has come to adore. (I can't believe I'm reduced to an announcer…me, the great Bakura…-growls-)

This chapter is dedicated to: Believe it or not, the character Inuyasha from…Inuyasha. (Well, THAT was a creative title, now WASN'T it? -rolls his eyes-) And how he has magically found ways to further inspire this fiction with the ironies that have been discovered.

Bakura: Finally, L.W.K wants me to say that she totally rocks as a writer and is now queen of the world. So all must bow down to her greatness and glo…Now wait just a damn minute! -Glares-

L.W.K: Ehehehehehe…umm…that's all the time we have for intros! Let's go!

Note: I skipped the light/dark scene for drama in the last chapter, so I'm making up for it in this one.

Darkness cackled happily, its evil aura intensified. "Let's see you get out of that." He announced proudly.

Light frowned deeply. "It has barely begun. Do not consider yourself even close to victory, my brother."

"But you know that this could end it all…don't not deny the truth."

"…Truth may it be, dearest hope is not lost, and our beloved sister resides with me."

Darkness growled and snorted. "Her magic is foolishness…"

"And yet, a fool's folly has defeated you sorely, many a time." Light retorted smugly.

"…So listen well, and let us watch, for you haven't seen my own move. And I am sure that you shall be surprised…" Light finished, and returned to watch the scenes unfold.

Darkness snarled. "Weakling…you rely on upon such things to save you…I shall emerge victorious…I swear it."

Sarah was still breathing heavily from the battle, though much quieter then before. It was so quiet, in fact, that even Yugi would have been able to hear a pin drop.

For the young vampiress, his stare was very unnerving. It was filled with shock and confusion…unanswered questions…

She couldn't even force herself to look him in the eyes. Before she had loved to watch his emotions sparkle in those beautiful violet orbs …but now she couldn't even raise her own to meet them.

Her mind flooded with questions until the point of bursting.

'What to do? I…can't blame him if he doesn't want to be with me any longer…but I must get him to safety. The night has only begun and Marik…I have to get Yugi to Malik's house. It's the only thing I can do now. But, will he…let me protect him? I…have to try…'

Sarah gathered up the courage to speak, struggling to find the right words.

"…Yugi, we need to get to my friend's house as quickly as possible…the night has only begun, and I know Ribaru. If there's anything I learned from fighting with him, it's that if he wants something, he's ruthless. He'll make good on that promise to be back…and there are many more out right now…" Sarah trailed off, trying to keep her tone calm.

"My friend's house is one of the safest places from them that I know…and Malik is a really nice guy…he's…human…" She offered quietly, praying that he'd stay with her just a little longer.

Yugi nodded slowly, seemly out of his clouded thoughts and back in reality, if only partially.

Sarah cautiously knelt, as softly as she could manage, and waited for Yugi to get back on.

After a few more moments that Sarah dreaded, Yugi came over to get on her back again.

However, as he did so, she felt as if her heart was being stabbed. The reason was not that he was doing it, it was how. She could feel that he was shy and…maybe…even scared.

Before, when Yugi first did this, he was pretty shy…obviously because he was embarrassed to be climbing onto her in the first place…

But when he did so recently, he didn't really have any trouble at all…

It hurt…to think of him seeing her as a monster…to fear her, or hate her…and yet, the silence was equally disturbing. It almost made her wish she knew what he was thinking.

When Yugi was ready, she slowly began her journey once again. This time there was no talking at all…simply a great heavy and solemn silence that loomed in the air like a dark storm cloud before the rain.

Sarah's thoughts continued to plague her, demanding answers to questions…answers that she couldn't give any more then she could move the heavens.

The worst one was so simple…yet incredibly complex.

What was she going to do next?

She could only do so much…

Sarah took a few more leaps downward, and landed in front of Malik's door, hoping he would answer for once. It might be more then a little difficult to slip them both in through the window.

Luckily, Malik had been making sure to listen for his friend's return, just in case she needed him again…and though the knock made him jolt, he was quick to recover.

He opened the doors to the sight of Sarah and a strange boy…with the weirdest hairstyle he'd ever seen.

Then again, some vampires that Sarah showed him might have topped it…but that wasn't the point.

This must have been Yugi, the hikari that Sarah had discussed with him the other night.

"Hey, Sarah…I was pretty sure you'd drop by again." Malik grinned.

Sarah smiled weakly, trying to return her friend's kind greeting…and failing miserably.

"Hey Malik…" She murmured softly. Sarah tried to smile again, but it just couldn't reach her eyes. Malik was sure that something was wrong.

However, he'd play along for now.

"So…what brings you here?" He asked casually.

"His house has already been discovered. Some goons are probably swarming it by now…hoping that we'll come back." Sarah explained quietly, the weak smile replaced by a serious frown.

"I see…so you came here for a place to stay, and to avoid them, correct?"

"…Yeah…if you don't mind. The avoiding part didn't work so well, though…I just happened to run into Ribaru on the way here." Sarah muttered, frown deepening. She paused for a moment to mentally kick herself.

Malik's slightly wide eyes showed that he had suddenly noticed the scratches on her arms and cloak, which he hadn't before.

"I can see that…you've got some nasty cuts…need any help?" He offered, also frowning at the state of his friend.

Sarah shook her head, "I can take care of them myself, but thanks anyway."

Malik nodded, finally turning his attention to Yugi, who had been quietly listening to the conversation the whole time.

"And I believe this is Yugi?" Malik asked, a welcoming smile returning to his face.

Sarah only nodded in reply.

"Nice to meet you, Yugi. My name, as I'm sure you know by now, is Malik. Sarah told me about you on her last visit, and I'm pleased to me you in person. Well, come on in." At this, he stepped aside to let them through.

Sarah and Yugi both replied with a polite "Thank you."

"Sarah…can I speak with you for a minute?" Malik asked quietly.

"Sure…"

They moved away a little until they were out of ear shot, Sarah glanced over at Yugi who was examining the decorations on the walls.

"So…what's really going on? There's something wrong…" Malik remarked, a frown etched in his face.

Sarah sighed sadly, her eyes now fully betraying her emotions. Her emotional shields dropped like a rock, tears threatened to cloud her eyes.

"He knows, Malik. He knows…" She murmured despairingly, still recalling the memory of what she had done in that fight.

Malik gaped. "But…how did he…?"

"In the fight with Marik, I…bit him on the arm with one of my fangs and…Yugi saw." Sarah explained sadly, inwardly wincing.

Malik wore a weak smile in response. "Not exactly the best way to give him the news, huh?"

Sarah groaned. "Ya think?" Her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Well…I guess…I dunno…were you ever going to tell him?"

"Yeah, but I think I would like to have waited just a little longer…and I don't think I planned on telling him by visual aid!" Sarah growled, still being as quiet as possible.

"What are you gonna do now?"

Sarah shrugged helplessly, "I don't know, Malik…I just don't know. I've been asking myself that ever since I thought about telling Yugi…but that was the last thing I wanted to show him. Me at my worst…"

Malik nodded sympathetically. "But it would have happened eventually, and you know that. Eventually he was going to see you bite someone, because protecting him means using whatever you have too…and your vampiric fighting didn't give you much of a choice."

"I know…but what if…what if he's scared of me now?" Sarah asked sadly, her eyes showing a small flash of fear in their depths.

Malik sighed and shook his head sadly. "I can tell you a lot of things, Sarah. But I can't read minds, or predict the future…"

Sarah nodded.

"Besides…no matter what happens, you still have me…" Malik offered, a soft smile returning.

Sarah chuckled. "That's true…Thanks, Malik."

Malik grinned with an impish pride, "What would you ever do without me?"

She smirked, and her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

He rolled his eyes and snorted. "Very funny…now, I suppose you've got to take care of those scratches, eh?"

"Yeah…I guess I should. Can you show Yugi around the house?" She asked softly, looking over to him once more.

"Sure…I guess we'll settle things after that, hmm?"

"I guess so…" Sarah agreed, unsure of anything at this moment.

With a last reassuring nod to his friend, Malik strode over to Yugi, and smiled.

"So…Yugi, would you like a tour of the house…? Oh, and it's free today, just don't tell anyone…" Malik winked jokingly.

Yugi nodded, and mumbled a shy "thanks…", and Malik began their little journey through his home.

Sarah, meanwhile, had vanished into a spare bedroom upstairs. She slowly removed her cloak and set it down on the bed, examining her scratches. She pulled out her small bottle of medicine and some more bandages, mulling over her current predicament.

a few minutes later

"There…" She mumbled to herself after covering them, 'They should be fine now. Barely thicker then the claw marks of a house cat…I suppose I should consider myself lucky. But then, my current problem suggests otherwise.'

Sarah glanced over to the window to look up at the sky. It was still a beautiful night…the moon was as enchanting as ever.

It was full tonight, and because of that, it had a silver aura surrounding it…the aura of the moon was often very calming to her.

Misty clouds also lined the sky creating a sort of fog-like look. And of course, no one could overlook the ever-faithful stars. Shinning lights that never seemed to break from their great dance through the shroud of ebony. Though dancers themselves would come and go, the dance itself never ceased.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, Sarah reluctantly turned from the sight, remembering that she still had matters at hand to attend to.

The outer part of her cloak was still torn, and she needed to fix it before she got into another fight, or else that part was an easy target.

Her cloak itself had two layers and the inner layer was meant for protection. Despite it not being as strong as some of the thicker armor that higher ranked fighters wore, it was a good deal less heavy, so it didn't hinder her speed.

The reason why Marik had pierced it so easily in the last battle was because the inner part slipped, and the outer certainly wasn't enough to hold back a blade.

Luckily for her, Malik usually thought of everything, and had left her some things to patch up her clothes with if she ever tore them.

She chuckled, knowing that his preparation came from experience. She had a nasty habit of surprising him to the point where he just decided to make sure he was ready for any occasion.

Her mind also took this time to drift to what kind of battle may be ahead. Ribaru probably had some minions looking for her right now…they wouldn't come here, at least, for now…but she knew that she couldn't stay here.

That was putting Malik at risk, and Sarah didn't think she could handle protecting herself, Yugi and Malik.

In fact, she was becoming less and less sure about just being able to protect Yugi…

"And this is my study…as you can tell, I clearly like to read…" Malik commented with a grin, showing Yugi the seemingly endless shelves.

"Looks like it…" Yugi agreed, blinking in wonderment. "Have you read all of these?"

Malik chuckled and shook his head, "No, no…I think that might take a lifetime…but I have read some of them. You know, I've been talking a lot, I haven't given you much time to say anything…"

Yugi shrugged, "That's okay…it's very interesting…"

"Glad to hear I wasn't completely boring you…either that, or you're just being nice…" Malik paused to smirk. "So, is there anything you want to know?"

Yugi seemed a little hesitant.

"…I do have a few questions, but…" He paused again.

Malik nodded understandingly, his smirk was replaced by a serious expression.

"Would they happen to be about…Sarah?"

"Well…" He nodded shyly.

"Then it's best that you ask her yourself…I don't know what all I can tell you, and she'd probably be better able to answer them." Malik thought for a moment, before speaking again.

"…How much do you know about what's going on?" He asked, curious as to what this whole situation was summed up to the teen.

Yugi smiled weakly, "…Not much. Basically…some people are after me, and it would be a very unpleasant experience if they caught me."

"I'd have to agree with you there…well then, since I suppose you'd like some answers, I'll go talk to her and tell her that the tour is over. I'm sure she's already finished with what she was working on, anyway…" With that, Malik went up the stairs to the one room he hadn't covered on the "tour", and knocked softly.

Sarah heard soft footfalls outside, and finally a knock on the door.

'Probably Malik…' She thought absently. "The door is unlocked, come in…" She answered, turning back to the window which she had been spending the rest of her time looking through.

"Sarah? I'm finished showing him around…are you ready?" Malik asked softly.

Sarah nodded, stood up, and took a deep breath.

"Sure…" She mumbled, trying to sound at least sure of something.

"Do…you want me to stay with you?" Malik offered.

Sarah shook her head decisively. "No, it's better that I talk with Yugi alone."

Malik nodded, "Well, as I said, I'm here for you…"

Sarah managed a real smile of gratitude. "I know you are…thanks again."

"Any time."

'Here goes…' Sarah mused, and she walked down the stairs and prepared herself for whatever was ahead.

Yugi was still in Malik's study, waiting for Sarah. Sarah and Yugi made eye contact as she entered the room. Sarah stood very still at that moment, waiting to see how Yugi would react.

Neither made any movement, and their eyes were unreadable. The silence was almost as unbearable as before.

"Hello, Yugi…" Sarah greeted finally, though it was quiet and almost stoic.

"Hello…" He replied, equally quiet.

The silence resumed, and Sarah was beginning to hate every minute of it. She was this close to yelling "Just do something OKAY?!" but refrained, because she knew it was partially her fault. Though, it really wasn't easy…what could she say? What does one say at such a time?

Eventually this silence would drive her insane, and Yugi obviously wasn't going to break it…so…she would.

She walked closer to Yugi, leaned against the wall as casually as she could, and crossed her arms in thought.

"I know you probably have some questions for me…so, go ahead. If there's something you need to say, then just say it." Sarah spoke softly, but calmly, controlling her tone and emotions as best as she could.

Yugi hesitated a second longer, before speaking.

"…You really are a vampire?" Yugi asked, still seeming very confused, and with good reason.

Sarah nodded slowly, her expression still very solemn.

"Yes, but you already know that…"

Yugi frowned deeply in response, bewilderment clouding his deep purple eyes.

"…I…don't understand. If you're a vampire, then how could you…what about the cross necklace? Or walking around in broad daylight?"

Sarah hesitated this time, and finally mumbled something too quiet for Yugi to hear.

Yugi blinked, and cocked his head to the side. "I'm sorry…what?"

Sarah growled a little and muttered again, only this time it was just loud enough for Yugi to hear, "…Half."

Yugi's eyebrow went up as he continued to stare in confusion, "…Half? What do you mea—"

"I'm half, Okay?!" Sarah growled, huffing slightly. After a second she began to look slightly embarrassed. "Sorry…I didn't mean to yell…it's just…" she trailed off in an uncomfortable pause.

"…Erm…half of what?"

Sarah stared at him for a good long time, realizing that he was serious and honestly didn't know what she meant.

"What I mean is, half vampire. I'm not a full-blooded vamp." She explained, sounding almost exasperated, but still attempting to stay as polite as possible.

"…So that's how you were able to touch that cross without being effected?" Yugi slowly began to put together the last pieces of the puzzle. (…However, this one was not pyramid shaped.)

"…Actually, Yugi, I am effected by those crosses. They just can't repel me like a full-blooded vampire. It stings my hand when I hold them. That's kind of how I know that they work." Sarah explained, looking over her palm. It had a trace of a "burn" mark on it from when she had an accident while making a necklace.

"Oh…"

Sarah paused for a few moments, before continuing on to say something she had been thinking about for a long time.

"…Yugi, if you don't want to be with me anymore…I understand." She stared hard at the floor, again, unable to look him in the eyes. Her eyes stung with tears…and again, she forced them not to fall.

Yugi's eyes shot up in surprise, even more confused then before.

"Not want to be with you? Why wouldn't I want to be with you?"

Sarah's eyes left the floor in a heartbeat, and returned to lock with his.

"…Because…I'm…a vampire. Doesn't that…you don't…mind?"

Yugi shook his head, and blinked. "Should I?"

Sarah's mouth dropped so far, that if it would have gone any farther, she'd be paying Malik for new flooring. However, after getting over that moment of shock, she honestly thought about his question.

"Well…I guess not…" She mumbled, shrugging her shoulders.

"If you were going to hurt me, then you would have already done it." Yugi reasoned. "Besides…you've already protected me several times."

Sarah slowly nodded in agreement."…I know. It's just…that fact never ceases to bother every other person I meet…"

"I told you…I don't care what those people think about you. They obviously don't know you like I do." He smiled again, just like before…when he told her that it didn't bother him if people stared.

Sarah felt a grin tug at her lips, and this time she didn't hold it back. That…was one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to her. She almost felt like crying again…but out of relief.

"Just one thing…why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked sadly, almost…disappointed.

Sarah snorted, obviously finding his question amusing.

"You're kidding, right? Why didn't I tell you I was a vampire? Just walk up to someone and say "Hey there, I'm a blood drinking creature who might have the desire to puncture your neck with my teeth…wanna be friends?"

"I told you, I don't care if you're a vampire or not…" He insisted, almost pouting.

"Well, I know that now, but put yourself in my place for a moment. Yugi, all the humans I've met so far, besides Malik, hated vampires. All of them. If I ever told someone, they freaked out and pleaded for me not to kill them, or they tried to kill me! So…can you blame me for being just a little paranoid about that?"

"No, I guess I can't." He admitted.

There was another long pause.

"…Do you want know why I got so sensitive about being half vampire?" Sarah asked softly.

He nodded and listened intently.

"Vampires and humans have become enemies over the years. The thing is, since I'm half vampire, I'm also half-human. According to the vampiric elders, my parents' love was forbidden…in other words, my very existence should never have been."

Yugi shuddered at that last sentence. No wonder Sarah didn't like this topic…with that kind of thought, he wouldn't be too thrilled about it either…

"…So, now you know." Sarah sighed, leaning back against the wall.

"…Do you mind if I ask you one last thing?"

Sarah smirked playfully. "Well, technically that was asking me something…but go ahead."

He chuckled softly in response, the sound seemly brightening the whole mood of the room.

"What are we going to do now?"

Sarah felt as if a ton of bricks just dropped unto her shoulders. She slowly felt herself slide down into a sitting position, as if it became too much strain to stand.

"…To be perfectly honest, I don't know. I really didn't plan this far ahead…" She mumbled, a slight pink tinting her face.

"…Did you even plan at all?" Yugi raised an eyebrow and his lips tugged into a small smirk.

"…W-well…no…but…" She stuttered for a minute, finally raised her hands up in defeat.

"I kinda just made it up as I went along, okay? Believe me…if things were going according to plan, neither one of us would be in this mess." Sarah was currently imagining herself beating Marik to a bloody pulp.

'But then…' She began to think over what she had just said. '…If things went according to my plans…I never would have met you…'

Was she happy that she got the chance to meet Yugi? …Was that selfish? Yugi had already gone through so much pain. So…if she did it over again, and could have prevented all this from happening to him and them ever meeting…would she change it?

It would save him…make it so that he didn't have to be hurt like this…

She shook her head. No. That wasn't true. Eventually, somehow, Yugi would get cut sooner or later. It could be anything…a nose bleed, a cut, a scrape…

And all a vampire needed was to smell it once. Only once.

So it might even be better this way…

Or did she just want to think that…?

She shook her head violently. Now she wasn't making any sense. Not even to herself! What was that supposed to mean? For her to 'want to think that'?

"…Uh, Sarah? You okay?"

Sarah looked up to see the concerned gem eyes of her friend, staring deeply into hers as he waved a hand in her face to get a reaction.

"Oh…yeah…fine. I just…was thinking." She murmured absently. Yugi shrugged it off as a 'vampire thing'.

"You'd better get some sleep…" Sarah suggested, smiling at the tiredness she saw in his eyes. It was very cute. He was very cute. She allowed herself to admit that…this once.

He nodded, "Hai…I guess you're right…" He yawned cutely, his purple gem eyes fluttering closed for a second. '…Must not melt…must stay strong…'

"Where should I sleep…?"

Sarah paused for a moment, her mind going over the building that she had dubbed her home away from home.

"Hmm…ah! I know. There's a spare bedroom upstairs near the one I sleep in on my visits. Did you see it on Malik's 'tour'?"

Yugi smiled weakly, "He showed me a lot of rooms…so I'm not exactly sure."

Sarah nodded, and motioned for Yugi to follow her up the stairs so she could show him. Malik had a few extra rooms available, since he was the only person who lived in the house.

It was quite spacious, which was good at times…but also very unnerving because a large house is nice when there are many friendly faces to fill its rooms…but it can be very lonely for only one person. Not to mention all the cleaning…

She opened a decently polished dark brown door, to a snow white and teal room. The room was small, but held a feeling of comfort and security. Its furnishings consisted of a fair sized bed in the corner, a nightstand beside it, a shelf that also held a few books, and a chair.

"…Oh, and Yugi?"

"Hmm?"

"Small piece of advice…keep your window closed." Sarah's mouth twitched in amusement as she quietly left the room.

Of course, as always, Sarah couldn't sleep. It was the horrible habit of her vampiric nature…it always felt weird to go to sleep at night, when half of your being is calling out to you.

Yet, if she didn't get some sleep, then she would be useless as a fighter.

With another frustrated grunt, she stood and went up to the roof, and began to lazily see if it was true that no one could ever count the stars.

'20…21…22…23…24…'

"Working late?" A voice chimed playfully, breaking her thoughts.

"…Maliiiiiik! You made me lose count!" Sarah pouted, and mock glared at the tanned platinum blonde behind her.

Malik snorted, "You do realize that you'll never manage it, don't you? You can't even see all the stars out there. It's pointless."

"Well, thank you so much for bursting my bubble. Next time I want some cheer, I'll remember not to ask you, Mr. Logic." Sarah stuck her tongue out, and then reclined again.

"So, what brings you out here at this time, other then to make crack comments on my break activities?"

"Actually…I'm worried about you." Malik murmured softly.

The half-vamp blinked for a moment in surprise, before asking the question on her mind.

"…Why would you be worried about me?"

She heard Malik's footsteps proceed closer, and felt him set himself beside her.

"Because I'm your friend, and I care about you." He said this as if it were an important lesson being taught to a child.

She made a face that reflected being somewhere between amusement and annoyance.

"I know that, what I mean is, what would you be worried about? I'm fine now. The issue with Yugi is resolved…he said he's okay with me being…well, me. So there's nothing to worry about."

"I'm glad to hear that…but that wasn't what I was worried about. Sarah, we've known each other for a long time…you know me and I know you. I can feel it when there's something wrong, and you don't look yourself."

Sarah shrugged and looked away. "There's nothing wrong, Malik. I'm fine."

"…No you're not."

"Am too!"

"Are not."

"Am too!"

"…Are…wait…this is childish."

"Well, you started it!"

"That was even MORE childish."

"…"

"Would you please just tell me?"

"…I already did. There's nothing wrong."

Malik sighed deeply, "…Fine. Then just look me in the eyes, and tell me that you're fine, and then I'll believe you."

"But…why does it matter where I'm looking?"

"Because you can't stand to look someone in the eyes when you're lying." Malik stated calmly.

"…Me and my big mouth…"

Malik grinned. That was Sarah's "oh-crud-you-caught-me" tone. He bit his lip, and continued.

"…Are you in some trouble with the other vamps?"

Sarah shook her head. "Nah, other then what I already told you…no."

"Sickness, injury, emotional trauma?"

"…No, no, and…some, but mainly it's from you, and the emotion is frustration."

"Have you been drinking enough lately?"

Sarah's muscles tensed, and her breath caught in her throat.

"That's it…isn't it?" Malik asked sadly, his eyes clouding with disappointment.

"…Y-yeah…"

"Sarah…!"

"…Look, I know what you're going to say, alright? I've heard it all before. But…what do you expect me to do?"

"…Something!" Malik insisted, waving his hands in the air to emphasize his point. Sarah would have laughed if this wasn't so serious.

"Malik…I already told you…I refuse to be like…that." Sarah muttered, turning away again.

"When was the last time?" He demanded, his expression showing the fierceness that no one ever knew existed until he truly needed it.

"…K-kinda…a few days ago…" Sarah mumbled, looking slightly nervous…she knew Malik wouldn't really buy it. Sure, it was true…but…not exactly.

"…What do you mean, kinda?" Malik crossed his arms, and raised an eyebrow.

"…Eh…I sort of did when I bit that thug…but…I didn't really drink much and I spat it out. But you can't blame me for that! It tasted horrible! I'd rather bite a cow!" She was already cringing from the memory…

"Okay, okay, I get the picture…and when you bit Marik? What's your excuse for that?"

Sarah's eye twitched. "You've got to be kidding me. There is no way I'd…eww…eww! It'd be sick!"

Malik tapped his fingers impatiently. (his foot isn't an option. He's sitting down, remember?)

"So…when was the last time you really did?"

"…Umm…well…er…I…eh…a m-month?"

Malik's mouth dropped, his eyes narrowed and began to twitch. "…A MONTH?!"

Sarah flinched. "…Yeah…well…"

"Sarah, are you crazy? If you don't drink enough then…you…you…you…"

"Die?" She offered weakly.

"…Yes." Malik hissed angrily.

Sarah felt her own anger heat up. "What do you want from me, huh? To go into little kid's bedrooms at night, wake them from whatever sweet dream they're having, and rip into their skin with my teeth as they scream in horror?"

This time, Malik flinched. "…No, of course not…but…"

"If I did what you want me to do, then I would be the demon that people think I am…" She murmured softly.

"…But…isn't there something you can do?" Malik asked softly, his expression hopeful.

"It's not like I just plain don't drink at all…I just don't do it a lot. A regular vampire would already be dead by now…but I'm still okay because I'm half-human. If I have the chance, then I do…like when I fought those goons. I really was going to, but…I probably would have died of food poisoning."

"…That's possible?" Malik asked in slight amusement.

"…I'd rather not find out. And if I didn't die, the taste would have at least kept me throwing up the rest of the night." Sarah mused sourly.

"…But…what if…what if your strength gives out because you've taken too long to drink and…and you…get killed?" Malik's voice shook, and his gaze nearly pierced Sarah's heart.

"Malik…it'll be okay. Really. I'm careful. I just…I don't want to hurt innocent people just because I'm hungry. But…the next chance I get, I'll take it, okay?" Sarah smiled softly, hoping to ease her dear friend's worry.

"…Alright…but…if…if you ever got to the point where you were actually dying…will you promise to not hold back?"

Sarah shook her head violently, understanding the meaning behind those words. "Malik, I'm not promising that."

"…Then you'd just…die?"

Sarah swallowed hard. "I don't want to, but…I can't hurt the people I care about…even for that reason."

"I…know, but…at least promise that you would do anything you could to stay alive…if for nothing else…for me?"

Sarah reluctantly nodded. "Okay…"

"Promise?"

Sarah smirked. "Fine, fine…I promise. Now, go to sleep. I'm tired, and we both need to be ready for the worst."

"I'm sure that nothing can surprise me now, but I suppose you're right."

And with that, silence fell upon the house where the gem-eyed Hikari, the half-vampiress, and the young scholar all rested.

Light grinned as brightly as the sun itself. He chuckled softly, his aura flickering at the action.

Darkness grumbled and huffed.

"The anger that you created does not exist within my chosen one…neither does your hatred. I told you that our sister resided with me, and she is more then happy to lend me her power…"

"It matters not!" Darkness snapped angrily. "I also have powers…anger may not exist within that pathetic little creature…but I have many other ways. Perhaps your little toys are safe now, but not for long…you made a fatal mistake when you created the guardian."

"…The guardian will not turn to your ways…" Light murmured, glaring at his brother.

"Heh…we shall see…but even then, I still have many other ways. All the darkness of the world is at my command…you are out-numbered." And with that, darkness left his brother to form his next plot.

"…Out-numbered, perhaps…but not over-powered." Light replied softly.
Okie dokie. Well, umm…eh…this chapter might have been a lot longer, but…truth be told, if I went as far as I planned, I might be on page thirty before I was done.

As it is, I'm fine with only doing 19. Oh, and I've been working on these chapters for a long time before posting, so that's why I appear to be updating so quickly.

However, I don't really have anything for the next chapter except for an outline and a small section.

-Sighs- I hope none of this plot filler stuff is corny. Anyway, errrrr…truth be told, that whole thing about Sarah not drinking often enough is supposed to be pretty important.

Eh, here I go…

Sarah deals with some inner conflict during these, and the future chapters. I might freak you guys out a little, by the way. And I think the ending just might surprise you.

…

In any case, if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. (If at all possible.)

Unless, of course, they deal with stuff I just plain can't talk about yet.

Next chapter preview/brief summary: A visiter…friend or foe? A message for our young vampiress…and a matter of life and death!

V. Sarah: …Sweeell…one problem solved, a million more to go…

L.W.K: Not really, V-chan. But I do have some angst for you…and battles…and evilness. Muwahahahahahaha…I feel very evil right now.

V. Sarah: …May heaven have mercy on my soul…

L.W.K: Please review, peoples! And now comes my favorite part!

…

REVIEW REPLIES:

Layla2008: I know I am. –Grins- I'm sorry…I'm kind of a cruel writer when it comes to cliffhangers…at least you haven't read "Written in red" or "Tears of blood" yet. Now THOSE were evil. Hehehehe…but I try not to be mean…I never get too bad…usually. …I'll update since you're so enthusiastic. I've been really sick lately…so I can't promise that the next chapter will be soon…and I have a really time-taking job. But don't worry…I'm happy to write. As you can see, Yugi was just confused. Of course…nobody said anything about Yugi's…-shuts up- …Must. Not. Give. Away. Story.

…Umm…-chuckles nervously- Maybe…

V. Sarah: …What is that supposed to mean?!?!

L.W.K: …I…eh…she's asking if you do anything to Yugi in the later chapters…

V. Sarah: …I don't, right?

L.W.K: Not allowed to say. –Zips lip-

Fish and chips: Just a little side note here…I saw you were making a vampy story. Awesome…I'll check it out when I can. Oh, no…you're not pushing me too hard. –Points at other reviewers- They are. –chuckles- I'm just kidding! Seriously! I don't mean it! Neither one of you are bothering me. I appreciate the enthusiasm. I love that in a review. –Grins-

As I said before, I'm very sick right now. I'll be fine and all…but I'm tired, so I can't say the next chappie will be any time soon. I hope this suffices for now. –Waves-

BAI!

-The lady winged knight

Ps: Thanks again to ShadowDreamerX, for allowing me to repost my stories on her site.