…I have nothing to say. No, really. I actually don't have anything to say. I'm tired. Give me a break.

Disclaimer: Look, you, I don't own it. I don't own anything but a pile of stuff in my bedroom, a ps2 and some gear downstairs, and this bugged up computer. So don't you DARE think of suing me, because I've had it up ta HERE with you technical people, got it?

This story is, was, and forever will be, dedicated to: Divey. Who worships me, mysteriously. Only proving, however, that she is the divine one out of the two of us. Forgiving, kind, accepting of faults, and still says I'm near perfect. You ALL know that's dead wrong.

This chapter is dedicated to: Whatever freak-show inspired me to write the scene. The particular scene that's coming up is more then a little creepy. (Re: includes lots of blood) I pre-warned you. And now you get to see why.

Darkness was pierced into oblivion by the great light, the fiery aura devouring it hungrily, and a moan passed through the lips of the dark lady…the utter horror…

…

…Of the morning sun.

Sarah grunted in distaste at the unwelcome visitor in her dark chambers, irritation raw and obvious in her deeply etched scowl.

"Here we go again…" She murmured, dragging herself out of bed. With mornings like these, it made her want to go back to her vampiric sleeping habits. After all, the silvery moon was a lot more pleasant to awake to…but it couldn't be helped.

The young vampiress felt slightly tired because she had made sure not to sleep too deeply, for the sake of her companions. So, though most of her had been resting, the very back of her mind had still been aware. Strength had to be put behind safety. (1)

She put on her cloak, which she had reluctantly abandoned for comfort. She slipped it over her bare arms and black shirt, yawning softly. She crept over to Yugi's room, quietly as she could manage, and opened the door.

She drew up to his side and grinned, fangs showing slightly. He was still sound asleep, curled up slightly. His hair was in need of a brush, but it didn't take away from his glowing appearance.

Sarah shrugged with a soft yawn, and decided that she may as well let him sleep. There wasn't any hurry just yet...and hopefully, there wouldn't be for at least a day.

'I think I'll go see if Malik made breakfast…' She mused thoughtfully and then chuckled softly in the memory of the first time Malik tried to cook for her.

He really wasn't sure what he could feed a vampire…


Flashback

"Hey, Maliky…umm…can I have something to eat? I forgot to have lunch before I left my house…" A younger version of Sarah asked, her legs dangling idly from her high perch.

The chibi Malik blinked, and then looked a little startled, obviously disturbed and anxious about something.

"Erk…umm…well, I might have something you'd like…but not me, okay?"

Sarah cocked her head to the side for a moment, not entirely grasping his last statement at first. However, running it through her mind again, she started to giggle.

"Oh! No, no…I don't mean like that!" She chuckled, as if it were the funniest and most obvious thing in the world.

End flashback

The whole session ended basically with Malik offering some uncooked meat, Sarah wrinkling her nose in distaste, finally politely requesting some "normal" food.

The young vampiress slowly strode down the oak wood stairs and saw Malik standing by the rich dark red front door, half lost in thought.

"Where's the food?" …Oops…well, she had meant to say "Good morning", but apparently her brain was replaced with her stomach today.

Malik rolled his eyes. "And good morning to you too, Ms. Sunshine."

"Sorry…that didn't come out right."

"…Riiiiight, you forgot to say "please" when demanding a meal…right?"

"Fine, good morning, Malik. Nice day, huh? Did you sleep well? Gee…that's great. Food?" She eagerly looked around, as if some kind of meal would pop out and say "boo!"

"Actually..." Malik chuckled and grabbed his cloak, slipping it over his arms and adjusting the hood which he had chosen to leave down for now. "I don't have anything to eat here. I was going to go get some more supplies today."

Sarah pouted in a childish gesture of disappointment, raised an eyebrow, and crossed her arms in annoyance. "No food?"

Malik nodded, obviously oblivious to the fangs extending from the female night child's mouth, and the slight glint in her eyes. "Yeah. But that shouldn't be a big problem...waiting for, or even skipping, one meal isn't going to kill you..."

A moment of silence, followed by a nervous cough. "...You did have dinner, last night...right?"

"...Sure, right in between Yugi finding out my carefully concealed secret and the battle with the person dubbed my second greatest foe." The answer was filled with her usual tone of sarcasm, but undertoned with a bit of whining from her stomach, which had replaced her missing brain.

Malik eyed her warily, the concern from last night resurfacing. "Are you going on some weird starvation diet? Because I can tell you right now that those aren't healthy and you look fine."

Sarah groaned, the interrogation somehow making her hungrier. "Nooo..."

"...Okay, okay...I'm going. You're coming with me so I get stuff you like and you have no reason not to eat it, though." He reached for the door handle, fully prepared to exit the area.

Sarah shook her head, using even more energy that needed food to be replenished, causing her stomach to whine in protest. "We can't do that. It would be leaving Yugi alone."

"Then wake him up and we'll all go." Malik suggested, grabbing the door handle a second time.

"He's still sleeping."

"Then wake him up." Malik began to sound a little irritated as he once again reached for the door handle, frustrated because of all the interruptions.

"I don't want to bother him. It's not nice."

"Then DARE to be mean, Sarah. If I'm gonna go, I want to go." Malik emphasized this by waving his arms as if he was giving a plane clearance to land.

"...And you think I'm moody? Fine, tell you what. You go get the food, and I'll eat whatever you pick. Even if I loathe it with a passion, get a stomach virus, and have a sore throat that makes me pass out from pain overload if I swallow."

"Oh, the drama..." Malik muttered, rolling his eyes and smirking in amusement. He waltzed out the door, leaving the goth-girl to her thoughts.

Yugi's own awakening was to the smell of breakfast wafting through the air, sizzling and popping, and the impatient tapping of a hungry teen. He trotted down the stairs, taking them two at a time or so, and discovered that Malik already had his plate ready.

He scarfed down the contents of his plate, glancing over at Malik who was eating with a quiet pensive expression and Sarah, who was attacking her own food with about as much enthusiasm as him.

"...Did either of you get taught table manners?" Malik asked, more amused then disgusted, though his expression suggested otherwise.

"Sorry, Malik..." Yugi murmured in between bites, smiling sheepishly as an apologetic gesture.

The vampiress shrugged, thinking over that statement for a minute. "Nah, not really. We were just taught about fast food..."

Malik's mouth pursed in distaste. "No details, please." He picked up another bite of food with his fork, showing his left-handed prowess.

"Well, on the one hand, I can promise you won't eat too much..." She remarked thoughtfully, but nodded. "But yes, I know you're eating and don't want to see your breakfast again after your first good-byes."

Malik's lips pursed as he glared at her gratefully…a rather strange paradox in itself.

"Sarah?" Yugi looked up from his plate, his expression showing slight anxiety.

"Hmm?"

"Have you thought about what's going to happen next? I mean...you know...will we stay here...?" He felt embarrassed about the question for some reason, especially because of Malik's current inner battle that played on his face and Sarah's uneasy frown.

"Well...I have. And...though Malik's place is one of safest havens I know...we'll have to get going again soon." She looked back at her plate; idly pushing some food around now, and waiting for the protest she knew was coming.

"Sarah, you don't have to leave just because I..."

"That's not the reason, Malik." She stated firmly, not even waiting for him to finish. She didn't know if he would...but he didn't need to. "I'm not putting your life in danger. I can't risk that. And don't play the 'sacrificial friend' with me right now. I have my own reasons, too. Marik is far too close to this area...and they'll be thorough this time."

Her eyes were now trained on him and telling him with the same firm, almost harsh edge, not to question her further.

"...We'll stay for at least another day. This is still out of their normal searching grounds...and it's day-time." Her expression was more relaxed now, still solemn, but calm.

"There's something else I've been meaning to ask..." Malik began, though he didn't want to stir up the same argument, he did have to know. "What about that thing they were trying to make...?"

"They? Thing?" Yugi, of course, was confused and had decided to politely remind his new friends that he was still there.

"My enemy clan...the one Marik is from. And what Malik is talking about is an amulet. ...No, Malik. The amulet is still only a theory, they can't get it to work yet." Sarah appeared a bit uncomfortable at the thought.

"What does this amulet do?" Violet eyes continued to stare in interest.

"It protects vampires from the rays of the sun. If they learn how to create it...the results could be devastating. So far, I've been giving them a few...difficulties with their research." With the frame of a smirk forming, Sarah picked up his dish and went over to wash it. "But even so, they still don't know how to get it to work."

"Well, I suppose that's good..." The tanned teen also stood and removed his own plate from the table. Sarah merely sighed in response, and muttered something to herself.

Yugi, following the examples of the others, went over and washed his own dish...Malik, now done, turned towards the door which eventually led to his study. "I was reading an exceptionally good book last night...William Blake may be classified as an insanity ridden man, but his works are fascinating." (2)

Sarah waved him away, rolling her eyes. "Once a book worm, always a book worm. Have fun, Malik."

"I will! Parting is such sweet sorrow, dear heart." His voice filled with fake teary-eyed sorrow, his hand stretched out like a dying man in the Sahara.

"Get outta here, already, Mr. Poet." Sarah mumbled back, laughing to herself.

"Okay...okay..." The last Yugi and Sarah heard of the scholar was the sound of soft chuckling, a door shutting, and soft footsteps as they faded.

"So...what do you want to do?" Sarah asked, turning to her traveling companion.

"Hmm...how about we just...talk?"

"M'kay."

The sky was an azure pool of the heavens, the clouds were wispy pillows, and the sun adorned the expanse as it bathed the entire world in its bright glowing light...

"So, about that whole Hikari no Ume thing?" The chibi-like teen looked up at the reclining young woman who had put her hood on for the sake of her sensitive eyes.

"To be honest, I know very little about all that...but I guess it's only fair to tell you what I do know."

As she stared at the sky, it reminded her of a large pool...and made her desire to throw a stone at it. She refrained for the sake of whatever poor fellow might pass under them at the time.

"From what I do know, there's this old legend about a hikari which is supposed to bring peace to some kind of power struggle. And to supposedly change the fate of this world..."

Hmm...maybe if she threw it far enough...

"And those vampires think I'm that person?"

Nah...she might hit some kid playing in the street.

"I guess." Maybe if she threw it high enough? ...

"...Why?"

Then she might hit a bird.

"I wouldn't know. Maybe it's just because you're a hikari. ...Maybe it's 'cause your..." Sarah faltered for a moment. Maybe it was better that Yugi didn't know about that? After all, "Jii-chan" probably had his reasons.

"I'm...?"

'Oh...good. He thought I meant you're, and not your. Thank God for confusing double meaning words.' "So unique."

"...You mean weird?" Yugi pointed to his hair, assuming that's what she meant.

"No. I mean unique. I'm the weird one." Yes. She would defend her title as the weird character of this group. Yugi got props on the hair.

"No, you're not."

"Am too."

"Are not."

"Am t...deja vu." The goth-like teen suddenly cracked up laughing, leaving her friend in the middle of a "Are not" and horribly confused. "Never mind. Agree to disagree, I suppose. This won't get us anywhere."

"Yeah, you're right...deja vu?"

Sarah paused for a moment and chuckled softly, shaking her head dismissively and shrugged. "Never mind, really. Just memories."

"Okay...do you think Malik's done reading?" The hikari leaned back, mimicking Sarah's relaxed position.

The vampiress shook her head again, expression something between a thoughtful frown and unimpressed. "Nope. Sometimes he won't leave his study for days...I don't call him a bookworm for nothing, you know." She grinned, showing her fangs, which gleamed almost viciously in the afternoon light.

"Why does he like books so much?" Yugi raised an eyebrow. Days? That seemed a little obsessive.

"...Hmm...well, I'm not sure exactly. I guess we all have our obsessions...it's often our escapes from the real world. Maybe he feels more at ease within the pages of a book then in reality. And if that's the case, I know the feeling." She nodded slowly, more sure of her statement by the moment.

A song bird trilled out a merry tune after she had finished, wings gently breaking the wind, skimming the clouds...that reminded him of something.

"Hey, Sarah...can you fly?"

Sarah blinked several times...then her mouth formed an "o". She slowly began to nod, "Yes. It's not very easy for me, though. I'm guessing you got that from the stories, right?"

"Mmm hmm."

Sarah frowned and chewed her lip thoughtfully, hoping she wouldn't make her lip bleed. "Well, it's kind of true. Though, you have to understand, you guys have a really mixed view of what we're like."

"Okay...so what did we mess up?" Yugi looked to his bi-species friend with anticipation.

"For starters, we do not turn into bats. Period." She scowled in disgust. "I can't tell you how many vampires were offended by that."

Yugi chuckled and nodded, logging the information away. "Okay, got it. ...How did that rumor start, anyway?"

"Our wings look like bat wings, and some vampires have pet bats...and, there are 'vampire' bats who drink blood. Makes sense, annoys us to no end."

"I see...so, anything else?"

Sarah accidentally bit her lip, drawing a small pearly drop of crimson lifeblood and scowled for a moment, before answering his question. "Mmm hmm...some vampires don't have wings. Some of us can just move really fast or jump really high. We can all do those kinds of things...but non-fliers are better at it. Compensation, I guess."

"Makes sense..."

That bird was getting annoying. Maybe now? "Mmm hmm...any other questions for me?"

"Well, I'll probably have some later, but I'm fine for now." The smile Yugi wore was enough to make the sun glint with envy, as usual. Hikari, indeed.

...Nah. Randomly killing off songbirds isn't nice. Somebody somewhere must have made a rule about it or something. "Okay...oh, wait. One more thing I did forget..."

Yugi turned back to face her, though he'd already headed for the stairs that led back into the house, and was about one step away from them. "Hmm?"

Sarah chuckled softly, "I don't have alliumphobia." (3)

Yugi's nose wrinkled a little at the word, visually transmitting his confusion and wondering what that had to do with absolutely anything, but asked all the same. "What's that?"

"Fear of garlic."

They both laughed as they headed downstairs...

The old grandfather clock sang out a sounding chime as the creatures of the night slowly crept their way into the shadows, arising from slumber, some rubbing their wide cat-like eyes that glowed with hidden malice and eternal fire. The ebony veil of night weaved its perpetual way through the sky, to expand on for eternity, and to shower the world in darkness.

The only thing that interrupted the shadows was the faint, hopeful light of the moon, now only half-full and fainter in light. The stars sparkled around it, aiding it with their dim but determined flickering light.

"He's still in there, huh?" The smaller of the two figures in the rich wooded room was curled up in a dark green chair. There was a fire in the fireplace, but more for light then warmth.

The second, which had only previously entered, nodded and drifted back to looking out the window across from her, a few feet past Yugi. There were no curtains or shades to block any of the view, simply two pieces of wood in a cross formation.

Despite her deep thoughts, she found herself pulled out of them very easily. In an almost jumpy manner…not that she had anything to worry about. "What are you thinking about?"

"…A few things, I guess." She replied softly, trying to sort out her own mind, even though her thoughts felt hazy and uncollected. And, she had that horribly disturbing and irritating feeling that she had missed something.

He raised an eyebrow at her vague reply. "That's not much of an answer."

"Well, since it was about as long as your question, maybe that wasn't much of a question." She started to find herself grinning a little, now unable to return to quiet contemplation.

He paused to think of what to reply with, and finding that there wasn't much to say, responded eventually with a "…that wasn't very nice."

"I don't usually do nice." Her face took on a very serious expression, which was sadly defeated by the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"Hmph…well, I---"

Sarah interrupted him by holding her hand up and signaling silence, eyes darting around defensively. They narrowed as she cautiously sniffed the air. Finally she scoffed in irritation as she strode out room, not bothering to alert Yugi of the situation.

He trailed along behind, regardless, for hope of an explanation. She didn't seem worried…just annoyed. That struck him as a little odd…

They went to the stairs up to the roof, apparently having that as their destination, and a shadowed form waited for them…suddenly seeming all too common.

"Garik, what on earth are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay away from this place, even when I am here." Sarah walked up to him and glared at 'Garik.'

Garik fidgeted a little and shrugged. "But, well…I brought a message for you."

Sarah muttered something in a strange language. "I told you. The only messages I accept when I'm here have to be urgent. Is it urgent?"

"…Umm…well, according to you. Say…can I have something to eat since I'm here?" Garik, who Yugi could now see more clearly, had red hair and a dark blue cloak. Garik switched his attention from Sarah to Yugi and raised an eyebrow.

…And the look in his eyes made Yugi feel like…dinner.

Sarah, knowing that look and not being the least surprised by it, was already prompted with a threat. "Don't even think about it. My friends are here and if you even touch one of them, I get to play dentist and rip out your fangs."

Garik quickly took his eyes off Yugi. "Uh huh…well, then…I guess I'm not that hungry after all."

Sarah nodded in approval of his smart response, especially because he knew she would have done it too. "Nice to know. Since you're here, message please."

"Oh. Right." He cleared his throat and continued. "You requested to be reminded of when the festival was. It's tonight, actually. Took me a while to find you…"

Sarah's skin paled into normal vampire color when she heard that and she got a crawling feeling as a chill darted down her spine… "Which festival…?"

"The sacrificial festival…the "festival of new life", I think. Red clan." Garik looked over Sarah's expression and asked her something, in the same language that Sarah muttered in before. The tongue might have been foreign, but at the same time, it felt mystical…ancient.

"…Because I have some business there." Sarah viewed the positioning of the moon, and guessed the time, groaning and muttering.

His stomach and Sarah's absent look was more the enough incentive to push him off. After all, he'd finished his job.

"Well, I'll be going." Garik bowed and expanded two black wings from his back and flew off, but not before Sarah could call after him, "…Thanks for the message, but don't forget. Make sure it's urgent!"

She sighed and went down the stairs, sadly ignoring Yugi again and heading for her room. She slipped on her cloak and adjusted it in a few places, before heading back to the roof. It was about this point when she realized Yugi had stayed there the whole time and was staring at her, waiting for acknowledgment.

She stopped, feeling embarrassed about ignoring him previously, and figured that an explanation might take a little too long so… "Oh, hi. I'm, uh…going out. See you later, okay?"

"Oh, no…" Yugi shook his head, "wait just a minute. Where, exactly, are you going?"

"Well…to a festival." Short, simple, and totally not what he wanted to hear. She anticipated more, but…hoped he wouldn't ask. She was already going to be late…

"And why can't I come?" He knew there must have been a reason…but all the same, it never hurts to ask.

"Because it's a vampire festival. You wouldn't be a guest there, you'd be dinner…they might confuse you with something from the concession stands." Sarah couldn't help but find humor in her own words, but all the same, her face was still a omen of grave things to come.

However, it wasn't enough to convince Yugi. "Wouldn't I be safe with you?" He protested…still curious, still wary.

"Not this time. You'll be safer with Malik…which reminds me. I'll leave him with some stuff since you're going to be here…" She rummaged through some pockets on her belt, trying to find some sort of object.

"At least tell me why you're going." The teen insisted crossly, not willing to let go until he had been fully informed.

Sarah frowned anxiously and sighed in resignation…turning back to her companion, she nodded reluctantly. "If you really want to know, then fine. But time is growing short and I have to get there before it gets too late."

So, without a second thought, except that this meant more wasted time, she launched into an explanation.

"Our rival clan is having a festival tonight and I go every year since I first heard about it. I happen to have a habit of making them very angry. And wrecking their festivities…but sometimes I don't make it in time and I have to prevent that."

"What's so important about party-crashing…?"

Sarah's mouth became a thin, emotionless line. "Because if I don't, someone's going to die."

"What…?" Yugi's eyes widened faster then a volleyball inflates at the beach and looked about the right size for one too…

She merely shrugged in response, having little more to say. "What did you think they served at vampire festivals? Cocktail weenies?"

He paused at the gory implications to swallow hard. "…I still want to go with you…" He insisted softly, feeling the color of his face drain away.

She looked him over, making sure he was serious, before giving her assessment.

"You're crazy."

"Look who's talking!" The younger blurted out before he could stop himself, clapping a hand over his mouth. That, however, got Sarah to laugh. Eventually, her shoulders shook from the force of it.

"No, no…" She managed between chuckles. "Don't be embarrassed. You're right. Your idea is probably a lot more sane and safe compared to half the things I've done in my life…but still, it's a very dangerous thing to do. And I won't be able to stay with you if you do come. We might get separated and that would be my greatest concern."

"I'll keep up."

A soft smirk. "If we were both vampires, or both humans, I'm sure you would."

"I want to go with you. Please…?"

She clicked her tongue impatiently, out of habit more then will. "Look, one way or the other, I have to get going now. So, if I do take you with me, will you do exactly as I say?"

He nodded enthusiastically, eyes already twinkling like the dancing rays of a full moon.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

A deep sigh and grunt…

"Fine. Get on."

(If you're upset because it's cliche, or think it's just plain ridiculous that they're doing this, get in line.)

Two figures on the navy and ebony horizon, flowing gracefully through the sky, soaring like giant eagles among the winds…it was a sight that would make some stare in awe and wonderment, and others gasp in terror…

It was beautiful…it was splendid…it was almost like a dance.

It was terrifying…it was ominous…it spelled out sudden death.

Blood-lit eyes flashed in glee that was anything but good, spelling a terrible fate for any to catch their attention…light violet stared indifferently, impatiently, anxiously…

Black and purple capes fluttered behind and around them like great velvet and leather wings as their soundless and almost pressure-less footfalls struck each rooftop with infinite grace…

Demon, angel…each a winged creature, sometimes not told apart.

"So, tell me my little minion…how did your ventures go? I smell blood on your sword that is not your own…a smell all too familiar…yet it is too little for a killing. And I smell a wound on your arm…" There was a soft hiss as the first figure stopped, perching on the narrow top of one of the richer, more beautiful houses.

The other stopped short, kneeling in respect. "I need more assistance my master…the hikari is undamaged, and the girl is…as difficult as ever."

"Marik…you are magnificently…WORTHLESS! You mean you couldn't even capture a child? A mere boy, holding the blood of the power-giving hikaris? Even with that wretch watching him, my own second in command general was unable to capture a mere CHILD!" The figure's eyes grew absolutely livid, flaring up with a fire as dangerous as the ones that consume entire forests with a breath…

"It…it wasn't my fault, master, she…she was outside of our area, and…he can't be a mere boy, my liege. The aura around him speaks of age."

"Enough of your excuses! They are twice as worthless as you are and I am sick of them. Clean up your own messes, Marik…or die trying. Because if you come back here and fail me in such a simple task…you will die. By her hand, or mine." His eyes lacked any sanity, mercy, or joy.

Marik swallowed hard, eyes darting around the alleyways beneath. "But…sire, if I could have use of some troops, perhaps it could be better done. In fact, it would be very easy to snatch the 'boy', and much more simple to bring down his guardian…"

His master snarled in response. "Worthless. Very well…bring as many as you like…but do not fail me, my servant. I do not tolerate failure…"

"…I know." He murmured softly, feeling an unbidden shudder wrack through his body, but then spoke in a louder voice for the sake of the other hearing. "Yes, my lord."

"So, where exactly is this festival being held?" Yugi asked Sarah, almost hissing in her ear. It was difficult to tell if she could hear him with the winds that had picked up.

The young teen and his vampire companion had set off for their journey, with a quick and rather frightening good-bye to Malik, who hated it when people crept up on him while he was enjoying in-depth literature.

There was a pause of grabbing Yugi a spare cloak, since Sarah had warned him about a change in the winds and how cold it might get. Malik had generously offered his spare dark green one, which amazingly had a hood large enough to accommodate its new wearer.

"In vampire country." Sarah nearly shouted back, trying to keep on the delicate balance of just loud enough to hear, and just quiet enough to be ignored by everyone else.

Purple irises made their long circular journey to match two tiny pink silken ribbons, pulled up in a twisted scowl. "…Why didn't I think of that?" He murmured sarcastically, a sigh emitting from his chilled throat.

"Not a clue!" The leather and black clad vampiress yelled back, grinning unstoppably. Finally, taking a break from the irritating weather, she ducked in between two windows, which jutted out, from a local house rooftop.

"Much better," she murmured appreciatively, pulling her hair back again. It had still gotten messed up, even though she wore her hood. And yet, amazingly, the only thing that had moved on Yugi's head was his bangs. And they almost appeared as if they were supposed to be fluttering delicately about in the wind.

Yugi nodded in absolutely agreement. "No kidding. …But how far do we have to go? Really…where is it?"

Sarah 'humph'ed, and shook her head. "Look, if you want me to point it out on a map, you're out of luck. I'm telling you. Vampire country. There's not much more of an explanation to give. But I can tell you how long. About…oh…thirty to forty-five minutes now. If I hurry."

Yugi grimaced at the thought of spending so much time in the wind. "Okay, then let's hurry. And…didn't you say you were late?"

"Unfortunately yes. Too late to do as much damage as I'd like. But…I'm hoping we'll make it on time for the real reason I need to be there. Missing the rest of the festivities doesn't matter much." With that said, she made another calculated leap and began again.

"…Do vampires always have people ride them like this? Or…"

"Nah. They usually carry people in their arms, or…" She trailed off rather uncomfortably, pausing for a moment of 'Are you sure you want to know?' contemplation.

"Or…?" Yugi prodded gently, curious in spite of the unspoken warning.

"Or in their…teeth." she mumbled back.

Yugi began to gag upon hearing that, inwardly swiping away at the ghastly images that threatened to invade his future nightmares… "How awful..."

"Yeah…I know." In that moment…Sarah's eyes slowly lost their focus and she found herself returning to the memory of what happened one night.

…One night, when she didn't make it in time. One night, that she swore would not happen again, if she could have any say in it.

Flashback

A shadow dropped down from the onyx sky, into the alley-like hallway and moved as stealthily as a silken-pawed panther, to find the room where the sacrifices were kept.

It seemed as if she glided across the floor instead of walked, because her movements were so quiet and so fluid…and truly by her movements alone, it would be easy to see that she wasn't human.

Though, she could not take the time to be prideful of her skills, because a life was in grave danger. It would be her fault if she failed.

'I can't let another innocent soul die at the hands of these monsters…they are the reason that my kin are all pegged as villains. They have given us all a bad name, and I swear on my mother's grave that I'll find a way to stop them…'

A raging fury swept through her, but she suppressed it. She didn't have time to feel angry at the previous crimes, or feel sorrow for those who had already fallen…

No, for if she waited any longer…she couldn't even think it.

Her light footfalls eventually became closer to her reason for coming…it was a small boy, tied up in the corner. He looked as if he and Yugi were the same age; of course, Sarah didn't think that at the time…

Though Sarah couldn't see very well, with this darkness being the kind was even thick for vampires. she could just make out the horrified and ashen expression of the child.

She gave him a weak smile, trying to imagine away the things they had probably already done to him.

Even the smell of the room was ghastly…for it smelt of death and was thick with blood from previous years.

"Shh…I won't hurt you, young one. I promise. I'm here to help…" She whispered softly, her heart ached for poor kid.

There was no response from the young boy, his expression still one of fear and horror.

'…He's probably in shock…' Sarah mused mournfully. She had seen this many a time before.

She quietly walked up to him, trying not to surprise or scare him. She tried to pick him up to comfort him…and forcefully restrained a shrill scream of horror.

Her hand had not encircled him…it went into him. Into the large gash wound in his stomach where a vampire had already clawed through him… for either the ritual, or out of plain cruelty. Blood splashed onto her cloak at the action, drenching her in the smell.

Shakily, Sarah pulled her hand away, now stained a dark ruby that ran down her wrist…

Her hand was covered with an innocent's blood…she instantly felt sick and light headed. Her stomach wretched inside and her throat tightened impossibly, making her feel as if she couldn't breathe.

"No…" She murmured, her eyes wide with pure dread and disgust…

End flash back

After giving the poor forgotten child a proper burial, Sarah spent the rest of her time that night allowing her dinner to make an encore and trying not to cry.

She wasn't able to smell that the boy was dead because there was already a strong and revolting smell of blood and death in the room…and of course, the gathering of the vampiric aura makes the darkness there even darker…

It was a small show of the power that existed there…

Looking back on that night, Sarah mulled over something. 'Maybe there was another reason why I was so desperate to save Yugi…perhaps, somewhere inside myself…I was saving that boy.' (Who was not Yami. Right? … right? puppy dog eyes Say it isn't so!)

She found tears gathering in the back of her eyes and shoved them back as hard as she could, realizing that if her vision fogged, she'd most likely crash.

'I've always blamed myself for that, even though Malik said it wasn't my fault. If I had made it in time, he would still be alive…his blood was on my hands…both metaphorically and literally.'

"Sarah…are you okay?" Yugi's voice, full of concern, snapped her out of her reverie and she rapidly blinked the tears away, willing them to vanish.

"I'll be okay, Yugi. Thank you…" She nodded, to assure Yugi that she really would be, and perhaps herself as well. 'At least I managed to protect him…and I won't fail this time. Somehow…it'll be okay.'

Well, now. I really hadn't planned on stopping it there. But then again, 18 pages it already enough of a head-ache, wouldn't you say? One of my readers actually said that a two-chapter story seemed long. O.O Can you believe that?

…Then again, with the fact that I babble like I do, maybe you can. Regardless, I'm stopping there. I had intended to make this really dramatic cliffhanger, and already be in the midst of the festival scene…but I guess that just isn't happening this time.

-

1: Ever read Lord of the Rings? Well, if you have, do you remember how Legolas (AKA teh hot elf pretty-boi) didn't need to rest while he ran because he could rest one side of his mind at a time, leaving the other awake? (It's an elf thing.) Well, Sarah is using basically the same concept. Why isn't she doing it as efficiently as Legolas? She's not an elf. -Nods-

2: One of you knows why I chose him. I bet she laughed at that part.

3 Snicker And it's a real fear, too. I had a whole list of phobias on hand, and when I saw that, I knew I just had to mention it...

As Strong Bad would say, "Here's a shout out to all my fellow dog food gangsters! Wet or dry, we never die!"

…No, no. Don't expect to understand me. Or him. Just smile and nod. …AND REVIEW. …NOW.

Ps: And no, I'm not a gangster, either. …I told you, stop trying to understand me. It's not possible.

pps: I'm sorry, I'm too lazy to answer reviews right now. If you want a review answered, tell me inthe review on this chapter.