I do not own Crescent Moon. Itsuki and others are my creations.

Warning: Harsh language, nothing too sexual. Just kissing.

Chapter Three:Tongue Tied

Princess, Princess why do you cry?

Itsuki lay asleep, her dreams giving her no rest as they tormented her already battered mind. A folk song from long ago came to her, playing over and over in her mind. She had heard it before. She had been hearing it at night ever since she was born. It never would leave her and sometimes the song let cruel intent sneak upon her with its soft melody that hid the lie. She turned onto her back, eyes moving aimlessly behind shut lids, sweat had coated her feverish form as the nightmare held her captive and didn't plan on letting go. She clawed at the sheets, quietly voicing her protests that rang out as screams in her mind. There was so much screaming she felt like she was whispering, so much agony she felt like she only suffered a scrape, so much pain she felt like she was dying, so much blood she felt herself crying.

Storm clouds had gathered overheard, blocking out the reddening sun. The sky was painted in blacks and reds: the colors of death and despair. She was trying to find out what was happening, why everyone was running, screaming, and dying. No one would answer, just keep running. It broke her heart to see so much suffering even though her arm was broken and bleeding crimson rivulets from where her palm was placed over the excruciating wound. Her body felt heavy, her voice dying away and becoming coarse from extended use. The city looked like a battlefield. There were too many bodies to count. But for some reason Itsuki, though pained to see the carnage, was strangely acustomed to it, like she had been here before. She had been. She'd been having this dream for the past four years. She was afraid of losing Sarah.

A bomb went off in the distance, dousing the sky with a burst of beautiful light, swirling the thickening clouds. It was raining now, heavy droplets of freezing rain. She had to find Sarah and protect her, she couldn't allow her to die because if she did...She couldn't think of what might ensue. She was silently crying out her name, her dirty face becoming stained with tears. Where was she? Where could she be in all this rubble? Whipping her head around back and forth, scanning the horizon, she saw her adoptive mother running towards her, a glowing celestial being amonst the wreckage. She smiled at the woman coming towards her, stepping over broken pavement slowly. Thank god she was safe. Thank every god out there she was still alive.

As Sarah came running towards her, calling out her name in pure happiness, everything went silent as to what happened next. A car, somehow, out of nowhere rammed into the running woman, flinging her aside like a rag doll to the ground.She screamed, her cries finally heard.

"SARAH!"

"SARAH! NO!"

Itsuki bolted awake, her breath coming in heavy pants as tears streaked down her face. She looked around in the lightening darkness, frantic. Had it really been just a dream? It seemed so real, so cruelly real. She sobbed quietly into her open palms, pulling her knees up to her chest. Why did she always get dreams where Sarah was hurt or on the brink of death? Why? It was because Sarah was so precious to her, the only person who had ever cared. This dream had been different though. Usually it was a vision she had of what her mother could have looked like, but this time it was Sarah who suffered. It was strange how she never saw the end to the dream.

Eventually she quieted, looking to her wrist watch to see what time it was. It was 4:30 in the morning. Sarah wouldn't be home til about eight or later. She sighed, letting her head fall back against the soft, fluffy pillow. Her brows furrowed in thought as she looked up at the blank, black ceiling. Where the hell was she? She turned slightly, her sharp hearing catching voices down the hallway. Who was out there and why? Sliding out from under the thick covers, she found her shirt was just barely attached to her body but a baggy, button-down shirt had been pulled over it. Well, atleast they had taste. Suddenly the night's events came rushing back to her, causing her to stumble as her mind throbbed with remembrance. The pain dulled and sped away as she came to stand at the doorway. Oh yeah...she had blacked out sort of and then she had been in Nozomu's arms. What had happened to her? That was right. She had transformed. Fuck...

She stepped into the hallway, bare feet sliding along the hardwood floor. The voices were coming from downstairs. Gods, shouldn't they be asleep? Maybe they didn't sleep...who knows? Shrugging lightly to herself and tucking her hair behind her ears, Itsuki stepped quietly down the stairs, trying not to make a sound. A creak in a step gave her away. Stupid step. The voices didn't cease and didn't seem to notice her. Good. Now she could listen in or just see who it was. She was pretty hungry after all. She hadn't eaten since lunch time yesterday. Her stomach rumbled and she put her arm over it, for some reason her movements seemed somewhat delayed. Her body was a bit numb and ached all over. Another step down the staircase. The voices were louder now, but still muffled enough so she couldn't make out any words. Oh, this was just ridiculous. She wasn't some preppy, twig of a girl, spying on her captors or something. Sheesh Itsuki, get a hold of yourself.

Taking on a serious, yet not so serious demeanor, the young teen straightened only to sweatdrop at the sound of her growling stomach. She sighed as she came to the bottom of the steps and saw the whole group, minus Mahiru, congregating by the bar. Akira had turned to her, eyes joyful like always, tail wagging. He jumped over to her, hugging her tightly but gently enough not to hurt her since she was still fragile. What that a content whimper she just heard?

"Nice to see you too Akira..." She said quietly, not used to being hugged by anyone but Sarah. It was kind of nice to not be so hated. Akira soon relinquished his grip, smiling a toothy grin. He looked so cute when he was half-transformed.

"Hey there, Sleepy Head." Nozomu said smiling, coming to stand beside her. "How are you feeling?

She shrugged. "A bit numb but-" Her stomach rumbled impatiently. She paled and blushed with embarrassment. Nozomu laughed a bit.

"And hungry it seems. Come on, let's make you some food." He led her to the bar, showing her to a seat. "There isn't much, but we still make sure you don't go hungry. If you're hungry say, around sixish we can go to a little diner and get some real breakfast. What do ya say?"

She nodded enthusiastically. That sounded so good. She looked around a bit. Was Mahiru sleeping now? Itsuki couldn't really blame her. She felt a strange link to the human girl. That sounded ironic. She wasn't human anymore..no scratchthat. She had never been human. The thought made her laugh under her breath. Nothing really good ever did go her way. Well except Sarah. Her eyes trailed up from looking up her hands to a pair of beautiful blue eyes. She blinked a bit, blushing. Oh yeah...and Nozomu and the others.

"What do you want to drink there, darlin'?" Nozomu teased, adding a funny accent as he spoke. She smiled.

"Milk." She said cutely, sounding like a little kid. She laughed nervously. His smile broadened. Was it really that awkward to ask for milk? She loved the stuff after all.

He nodded and disappeared for a moment underneath the counter and then came up sharply, slamming lightly a glass of the whitish liquid. The smile never left his face. She sipped her milk, smiling as she did. She felt bubbly inside, a feeling she had never felt before. It was cool. As she placed the glass on the counter, she looked around the bar a moment. It was a good place for fine wine and cheery company.

"Where's Mahiru?" She asked after a moment of silence.

Nozomu shrugged. "Sleeping. She was a wreck when we brought you back. She worked herself into unconsciousness, but don't worry," He added, seeing her worried expression. "She's sleeping soundly in her room. Mitsuru's been checking on her while I was checking on you. What were you dreaming about?" He had a strange glint in his eyes.

She blushed under his gaze and adverted her eyes. Before her dream had become a nightmare she had been dreaming about him. She couldn't help it if she talked in her sleep dammit! But it had been a pretty intense and erotic dream. She giggled a bit at the memory of it. She wondered if he really did have nice abs...

"Oh, nothing really interesting. Well...I did have a nightmare, but it was nothing. It just had to do with Sarah. I'm fine though." She said evasively, the blush still lingering. He just shook his head with a light smirk. Sure, sure.

"Alright, well atleast you're fine. Do you know that you talk in your sleep?" He grinned at her deepening blush. " I learned alot today."

She gaped like a fish before punching his arm lightly. "Shut up!"

She hummed lightly as she walked towards her house, Nozomu at her side. They had just come back from a sushi restaurant that they had stopped by at for lunch. It was a great place. Itsuki needed a change of clothes and to let her mother know she was alright. Nozomu had happily volunteered to accompany her. She had shrugged lightly even if she was falling in love with him she wouldn't let him know. She was just distant like that. She would only reveal her feelings if she was absolutely sure it was the right time.

They were nearing her house now, the skies clear of all clouds, the wind bringing light warmth whenever it blew by. It was a cheerful day. Itsuki could have cared less, she liked the rain better, but today she didn't want it to. Her dream still disturbed her. Another thing that seemed awkward was that Nozomu could go outside in the day light. Didn't vampires like turn to ash when they were in the sun? Then again why had she never burned to a crisp? Well...she was only half vampire after all.

"Vampires can still walk during the day, and garlic doesn't really work on us." Nozomu said lightly, answering her unvoiced question. She jumped slightly.

"Oh...heheh...cool." She replied sheepishly. That had just freaked her out. She slipped the key to the door in the lock and turned it, the house deadly quiet. Where was Sano?

As if on cue, the little fruit bat glided to her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek repeatedly. He had really missed her. She patted the creature and walked in the direction to her room, soothing the frantic bat. She motioned to the couch.

"Wait here. And do not, I repeat, DO NOT come into my room for any reason unless it's absolutely dire. It's a fucking mess."

The vampire nodded, giving her a two fingered salute. "Scout's Honor!" She just rolled her eyes. Dork. As she closed the door, Nozomu sat on the couch and just flipped through the book she was reading. It was very, very, detailed about the relationships and what happened in them. What the hell? He did a double take. There was sex in this? Interesting...Further investigation was much needed.

A few minutes later a white thing covered his eyes, blocking his vision. He blinked a bit as he realized Itsuki had thrown it over his head. He smiled as he pulled off the neatly folded shirt from his blonde hair. He looked to Itsuki, dressed in all black, looking much like a tomboy, but still attractive and appealing. Her short hair was pulled up into a ponytail and herwrists were decked in bracelets of different colors, a choker around her throat with a pair of crescent, bloody moons forming an "X." She only hadblack eyeliner around her eyes which made her eyes even more alluring. He let out a light whistle as he came to stand beside her, checking her out not even hiding it. She just rolled her eyes.

"Ok, ok, ok! Stop drooling already. I'm not that attractive." A light blush flecked her cheeks, trying to appear indifferent. It wasn't working.

He lifted her chin, lightly gripping it with his thumb, index finger curled underneath her chin. Was she serious? She was beautiful, exotic, different. His lips brushed softly against hers, a soft gasp escaping her. He pulled back to let the startled girl breathe. She was deeply shocked at the passionate yet gentle kiss.

"Wow..." She breathed, almost speechless. "That...was my first kiss."

Nozomu raised a brow. "Really? Are you kidding?"

She shook her head. It really was true. She hadn't been liked by anyone because she was always so cold and uncaring from allof the abuse she had suffered. She was still in a state of awe, seeing stars. It had been very much like one of her romance novels. Except they had all slept around until they met "the one." This was way better than any novel she had read. So much better.

"Well...if that was your first kiss then..." He smirked slightly, she looked skeptical. "Just trust me.." He whispered. His lips pressed against hers once more, with a bit more force. It caught her off guard, enciting another gasp. He took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth, making her moan softly. Just letting her feelings guide her, Itsuki ran her tongue along his, pressing her body against him. God, the electricy passing through them was incredible. She felt his hands upon her hips, gently pulling her to him for more contact. He broke the kiss, both of them gasping for breath. All they could think about was how good it had been.

"Ha...that...that was fucking...incredible.." She panted, smiling giddily. He nodded. He noticed he was up against her fridge, feeling almost every curve of her body against his. He could feel himself becoming more and more aroused and he really didn't want to freak her out. She took a few steps back, breathing in deeply. She didn't know what to think. She smiled at him, cheeks red from excitement. He smiled back.

"Guess this means you're mine." He said, a smile on his lips. She nodded a bit, still speechless. She came over to him, leaning up, she gave him a passionate kiss that made him moan in his throat. She was letting him know how she felt. She couldn't put it into words so she put it into her kiss. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, their tongues becoming entwined. It was amazing how this woman could put so much passion into her actions like she did in her artwork. It made his heart beat frantically.

They pulled away, their heavy breaths mingling together. Nozomu took a big gulp of air, regaining his ability to speak. "Guess you also have to tell your mom about us."

She nodded, a light smile. "Yeah...I guess I do. I'll have to tell her...basically everything." He nodded at her reasoning. It would be tough to tell her since humans were a bit less understanding, but if Sarah was like how she had been described to him then she would probably understand. It would work out. It would work.

"Hey Itsuki..."

"Yeah?"

"Do you always moan in your sleep? Or is it just when you're thinking about sex?"

"WHAT!"

"Nothing."

Hahha. Anyways. Chapter 3 was something I just kept typing out. I hope you guys like it. See ya soon.