My eyes slide open leisurely and my ears are greeted by the birds who still have to leave for the winter. I sit up and stretch out my arms, yawning to refill my lungs with fresh oxygen. A small amount of sunlight peeked through the miniscule, wooden-bared window over the sliding door, making the dusty floor sparkle. Sliding door?

I begin to absorb my surroundings. I was still in Satoshi's bed, still dressed in my school uniform. I look around and see Satoshi in a sleeping bag towards the 'kitchen' area, back facing me. It was morning and I had no clue what the exact hour was. Was I dreaming earlier or was that all real? What about school? What about my change of clothes? What if I drooled on his pillow?!

Embarrassing!

I scramble out from the covers and trample over to the door. Just then, I hear Satoshi stir in his sleep. Back flat against the wall, I wait nervously for him to wake up. He simply rolls over onto his back and continues in his slumber. I was a bit taken aback, for he looked so different just then. He wasn't wearing his sunglasses. Well, who wears glasses when they sleep?

I tiptoe over to the side of his sleeping bag and kneel down, just looking. His face seemed quite pale without the dark glasses. His breathing was slow and stable. Almost child-like. I noticed then that he had long eyelashes. For a guy, that is. He looked so warm, peaceful. My hand slowly moved towards his hair, as if wishing to stroke it. I quickly abort.

Wait, he must have some kind of clock in here. How else would he know when to leave for school? When to get up in the morning? I stand up and head towards the kitchen, (which really consisted of a few cupboards and battery operated appliances such as a mini refrigerator, hot plate, and rice maker) looking side to side as I went for a clock. After quietly digging through a drawer, I find an old wrist watch.

9:43? Eeh?!?!

"Chee!" I moan. Late for school by over an hour! There goes my perfect attendance record…

"Nani za…"

Satoshi groans as he sits up and rubs his eyes to rid them of sleepers. He licks his lips and yawns wide, revealing the fangs I never noticed before. Finally, he opens his eyes and blinks rapidly. The soft brown masses land on me, hunched over the drawer with watch in hand. He stares. Without moving my own eyes away from him, I put the wrist watch back in the drawer and shut it.

Satoshi finally looks over at the drawer.

"Um," I mumble. "Gakkou."

"You're not going," Satoshi replies.

"What?"

"You're in no condition to be around people right now," Satoshi says, unzipping the sleeping bag so he could get out. "It's a good thing you fell back asleep last night, otherwise I don't think I would have been able to convince you to not go to school today."

"I'm still going to school!" I say.

Satoshi stands and comes over to me. "No, you're not. Missing one day won't kill you."

"Demo!" I whine.

"Based on what happened yesterday," Satoshi begins. "Do you want that to happen again?"

I shake my head. "No! But I'm better now!"

"Not completely."

"Yes I am!"

Satoshi puts a hand loosely around my throat. "Don't…argue with a vampire. I'm doing this for you own good. Please, just trust me."

"I'm a vampire too," I reply.

Satoshi removes his hand. "Not yet, you aren't."

"But…yesterday!" I say.

Satoshi sighs. "That was due to you're transformation, yes, but it doesn't mean you're a full vampire yet. If I put you among mortals right now, in this crucial stage, you'll snap completely and probably kill yourself in the process."

I look at him confused, one eyebrow raised.

Satoshi just nods. "You have a lot to learn, Kasumi-san. However, I will teach you. Being and becoming vampire is bearable with company."

I couldn't help but pout. What did he expect me to do? I wasn't going to stay here for the rest of my days. I had things to do, places to see, transformations to annul. Not to mention that I had to try to apologize to Sae-chan. She must hate me now; think of me as a vicious monster. How could I let that happen? What ever happened to self control? I never imagined how strong bloodlust could be. Hotondo netsuretsu…

"I'm sorry," Satoshi says after a while.

"Why do you keep apologizing to me?" I ask.

"I'm the one who did this to you," Satoshi hangs his head. "I feel…selfish for doing it now. I knew the consequences. It could have all been prevented."

"Satoshi-kun," I try to give him a smile. "Haven't you heard of a thing called fate? I-…of course I'm a little skeptical about it all, and slightly frightened about what I could potentially do in the future. But I believe that if you're here with me…this transformation will be easier."

Satoshi's silence made me feel awkward. He stood next to the cupboard, looking down at its dusty top. His mind was a vast and glorious country I have yet to explore. I fear I will never know what goes on inside his head. Datte, aitai, with his permission. How long will it take?

"Anata wa…Watashi no saisho no tomodachi," Satoshi whispers.

I sigh lightly but contentedly.

Knowing I wouldn't get much more from him, I walk over to the sliding door and push it open. Sunlight, rich and bravura, floods the shrine as if a sea would a lagoon. To my great surprise, the ground was now laden with a light blanket of snow, fluffy and fresh. Each tiny crystal glittered in the early morning sun, making the lonesome graveyard look like a Christmas cookie. Utsukushii!

"Close it!" Satoshi almost yells in a low voice.

I turn around to see him backing up to the farthest wall, hand shielding his eyes, teeth grit, and body nearly trembling.

My fingers shaking, I rapidly try to grip the door. They slip and fumble, but eventually grab their goal. Quickly slamming the brittle wooden door, the room instantly drapes itself in darkness. My eyes grow wide, searching for any source of light. I stumble forward, arms outstretched, looking for Satoshi. The miniscule window finally allows enough light to flow through, and I see him crouched in a corner, hands covering his eyes.

"Satoshi-kun," I kneel down in front of him. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I forgot that vampires are weak against sun."

"What a load of shit," Satoshi grumbles. I realize then that Satoshi only swore when his life was threatened. "Our bodies can take all the sun they want. They're just like any humans'. Except for the eyes."

"Eyes?"

"The most sensitive," Satoshi replies. "Now, tell me…is it dark enough for me to remove my hands?"

"It's … pretty dark," I say as I look around.

Satoshi slowly takes his hands away and opens his eyes. They were glowing in the black atmosphere as if they had their own light. The bottoms were rimmed with slight tears.

"They water quite a bit," Satoshi says.

I feel my face blush. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

"It's alright," Satoshi says and gazes down at the floor.

"Ano ne," I mumble. "I'm willing to learn."

I suddenly feel Satoshi's hand on top of mine. He wouldn't look up from the floor, apparently entranced with the layer of dust hiding the actual floorboards. His slumped figure rose and fell slowly as he breathed and I felt as if I was becoming intoxicated by the silence.

Something deep down inside me was telling me that this was Satoshi's intentions all along. He had bitten me on purpose, knowing that I would transform. Then, he'd have company? I wasn't positive, but it was as if someone was hitting my conscious with a metal hammer. The thought pained me, but also flattered me. I have such a strange heart.

"Satoshi-kun, you could have just asked me."

Satoshi removes his hand and stands. He walks to the sleeping bag and takes something out of the pillow case. The sunglasses. Satoshi secures the glasses and turns around to face me once more. Those glasses automatically replaced that cold ambiance to his face. I missed the innocent warmth already.

"We have all day," Satoshi says as he walks over to the small cabinet next to the mini refrigerator. "Are you hungry?"

He had taken out a wallet.

"A little," I admit.

"Then let's go."

Satoshi opens the door and pauses like I did when first seeing the snow. It was only early December; we usually were lucky to just get a flurry on Christmas. I walk up behind him and get a second look. The primitive morning sun had already started to melt the thin layers of snow on top of the gravestones and creating small puddles on the stone walkway.

"I'm surprised it didn't freeze last night," Satoshi says. "I'll have to get the extra blankets for tonight."

"Winter sure is pretty," I whisper to myself.

"But cold."

"Gives an excuse to get coffees," I grin.

"I don't like coffee. Tastes too bitter," Satoshi replies.

"Plain may be a little bitter, but if you add syrup, it makes it sweeter. Raspberry, almond, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, and so much more."

Satoshi still sticks out his tongue.

"Okay," I nod, knowing that a conversation on coffee was pointless. "What are you in the mood for?"

"Sushi."

"Sushi? For breakfast?"

"I'm just joking," Satoshi replies in a dull voice as he walks down the shrine steps. "I don't know what I want."

I follow him down the stairs and out the gate.

"Let's stop at Kanshoku." Satoshi says.

I follow him again like a puppy on its leash, afraid to stop, for that meant a hard tug. I always wanted to be close to Satoshi, but getting that close frightened me. Facing these fears, I wish to continue.

My life for the past two months has been like a scratched record, skipping far ahead only to go back to the beginning and repeat. My thoughts, my actions; it's like a giant case of déjà vu. I've seen this before, but I don't know where. I know what to do, but I still don't do it right. Caught in an endless circle, knowing where I'll end up, but never reaching the destination.

My foot slips from underneath me and I fall flat on my backside. I had stepped on a patch of ice. Trying to get up with unsteady legs, I notice Satoshi holding out his hand to help me. His face was bright and looked as if he was trying his very best not to laugh. I put my hand into his and he pulls me to my feet.

"Thanks, I wasn't paying attention," I say as I brush the snow off my skirt.

"I could tell," Satoshi replies. "You always have this certain look on your face when you're deep in thought. Like someone putting thread through the hold on the tip of a needle."

He was watching me. I remember then something I heard from Sae-chan when we were talking about Naoko-chan's crush. 'For some reason she likes the fact that you can't see his, but he can see yours'. It's almost…sycophantic. Okay, this was virtually too enjoyable. Being friends with a vampire was supposed to be a life of always looking over your shoulder. However, with Satoshi, I feel comfortable. Comfortable enough to want to be afraid. Afraid; so I keep on my toes and not miss a moment.

Satoshi and I arrive at the small grocery store. I could tell right away that Satoshi liked to eat, but had no gift for shopping. Grabbing a basket, I drag Satoshi down the first aisle. He said his mother cooked, but now he admits it is on a rare occasion. His diet consisted of instant noodles, Miso mix, and pre-made pot stickers (which he fried on the hotplate). I had to have him over for dinner sometime. My maternal instincts couldn't stand it.

We end up purchasing a few bags of sweets, tako chips, and Jane Jane. Keeping in mind that I would eventually be a vampire, I had to learn to love fish. Protein will be my savior.

Satoshi opens the bag of Kusagi Melon gummies and pops a few into his mouth. "You know, I moved here from Iwate."

"Iwate?" I say, a little surprised. "Why here?"

Satoshi tuts. "When my mother had me, she thought that it was too crowded in the cemetery where she was currently staying. I don't think that's the entire reason, but she has never been open on the subject. Though, I am inclined to believe her when she told me that this cemetery we are in now gave off a more peaceful impression."

"Peaceful impression?" I ask. "It's a cemetery."

"I'm not sure of the background of its name, but have you ever looked at it closer?" Satoshi questions, looking over his shoulder at me. "Yousei Cemetery?"

"Yousei Cemetery. Yousei…Oh!" I find myself giggling. "I never realized that. I'm pretty dense. However, it all depends on the original Kanji, doesn't it?"

"Yes, it does. But the Yousei on the main gate is different than the Yousei carved onto the shrine door," Satoshi says.

"Maybe someone caught the pun and carved it themselves?" I suggest.

"Who knows," Satoshi grumbles.

We get back to the cemetery eventually. I was walking a little slower, looking out for patches of ice. Satoshi and I sat inside, munching on the Tako chips, Jane Jane, Pucca, Eishindo, and drink a few bottles of Ramune. He said there was no idea to go to school due to threat of me having another spell, but I felt fine! I couldn't stay away from school until I was completely transformed. That would be preposterous. However, I am still somewhat clever. I talked Satoshi into practicing the lines for the play.

"What brings you here, villager?" I read off my part. "If you are merely lost, I beg you to at least tread on someone else's soil, or I shall throw you out myself. This is my lair."

"Mistress of the Wood," Satoshi reads off dully. "I intend no violation of thy privacy, but I do have a request."

"A request? Of me?" I put my hand on my chest for dramatic feeling. "I don't see what you possibly would need from me, but out with it."

"You have been plaguing our village with heavy rains, scorching sun, and ghastly wind. Tell me, why is it you hate us?"

"Toushi, I do not hate thee and thy village. I only hate the fact that you are disrespecting my forest and cutting down its trees," I recite.

"This is the lamest plot line I've ever read," Satoshi mumbles.

"I know, but go with it," I say. "If you're going to be in this play, you have to be the character."

"But my character lacks depth. He's just Toushi. Does Noriko-san know how to write any better than this?" Satoshi shakes the script.

I put my pointer finger on my lip, thinking. "Satoshi-kun. Will you promise me to come to the next rehearsal?"

"Why?"

"You can talk with Noriko-chan yourself and maybe you can persuade her to make some changes in the script," I say. "I'm sure she'll listen, she's a reasonable person."

"Eh, ganbaru," Satoshi gives in.

I couldn't help but clap my hands. "Banzai!"

Satoshi laughs, and puts another gummy into his mouth.

"Kasumi-chan? … Are you in here? Kasumi-chan?"

Satoshi and I were inside the shrine playing a game of Shogi when we heard a voice from outside in the graveyard. I look at Satoshi who, of course, looks back and jerks his head toward the door.

"It's calling for you. It should be you who opens the door," He says.

I get up, notice Satoshi switching around some of his pieces so he'd win easier, and head over to the sliding door. Opening it slowly, I see Sae-chan standing on the stone path, looking rather terrified. I step out onto the wooden landing and don't say anything. Gladness swept over me that she had come to see me. I wanted to run up and give her a hug, but I was also afraid she'd run away from me.

"Sae-chan…"

"Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan says in a shaky voice. "Are you…are you…okay?"

I nod my head. "I really want to apologize to you, Sae-chan. I should have been able to control myself better."

"You…really scared me, Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan replies. "I was afraid you didn't recognize me and had already become a vampire. I didn't want that! I wanted you to still be my friend, teach me how to help my Muchuuru to get stronger."

"I'm not a vampire yet, Sae-chan," I say. "I'll hold off as long as I can."

Sae-chan walks up the steps and gives me a hug. "I'll be here when you do change, Kasumi-chan."

"Arigatou."

Sae-chan lets go and I could see a few tears had rimmed her eyes. "Where's Satoshi-kun?"

"Inside the shrine," I say, pointing toward the door.

At the mention of his name, Satoshi opens the door and stands in the frame. "I won."

"Uwaki mono!" I prod him in the chest.

"Ore ga? Masaka!" Satoshi teases back.

Sae-chan stood there giggling. "What did you two do all day?"

"Nothing," I reply. It was the truth. "Played a few games of Shogi."

"Kasumi-san sucks at Shogi," Satoshi crosses his arms over his chest.

"Like I said before: you cheat!" I spit back at him.

"Well, shall you be getting home, Kasumi-chan?" Sae-chan asks. "You are going to be at school tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," I reply. "I can't really stand not going. Plus, there's a rehearsal for the play afterwards. Satoshi-kun says he'll be coming to this one."

"Great!" Sae-chan puts her hands together. "I can finally fit you to your costume!"

Satoshi shakes his head and erases all traces of emotion from his face.

We all say our good-byes and Sae-chan and I exit Yousei Cemetery. She talks about the day at school, how Ryu-kun did nothing but spread more rumors about Satoshi and myself. He's due for a nice big slap across the face. Other than that, the school day was nothing exciting.

Sae-chan drops me off at my house and we have one more hug. The minute I step in the door, I find myself plugging my nose. The smell was so different from the shrine that I had become used to over the past twenty-four hours. It was all rather strange. I go straight up to my room and flop down on my own bed.

That night consisted of a nice hot bath and a splurge of eating left-over vanilla egg pudding. I went to be early, at about nine-thirty. It took a while to fall asleep. The sheets were surprisingly rougher and more light came in through my window and reflected off the mirror over my chest of drawers. The air was creamier. It all felt so good, and so wrong at the same time.

I couldn't sleep. It was eleven-thirty. I got out of bed and over to my dresser to brush my hair for the heck of it. Sitting on top was that small bag Satoshi had given me when I had my first spell. That massive headache. It was still very full. Undoing the string, one of the pills tumbles out into to the polished wooden surface. It shone an iridescent black cherry color. I pick it up and put it into my mouth, chewing very slowly, and swallow.

I end up eating half the bag before I felt sleepy again and crawled into bed.

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Japanese Romanji Translations

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Che - (Slang) Exclamation used to express disgust. It's kind of like saying "shiit!"

Nani za - What the..?

Gakkou - School

Demo - But!

Hotondo netsuretsu - Almost passionate

Datte, aitai - But still, I want to see [it]

Anata wa…Watashi no saisho no toothache - You are…My first friend

Utsukushii - Beautiful/Radiant

Ano ne - You know/You see,

Kanshoku - It literally means 'eating between meals/snaking' .. I thought it was a good name for a convenience store. Like a 7/11!

Yousei - A word that can mean many different things actually… it's most commonly used for 'fairy/ sprite/ or elf'. But the pun for the cemetery is that it can also mean 'premature death'

Ganbaru - I'll give it my best shot/I'll try…

Banzai - Hurray!

Shogi - A Japanese board game that is the western equivalent to chess.

Arigatou - Thank you

Uwaki mono - Cheater! (one who cheats)…(it can also mean committer of adultery tehe.. Never mind)

Ore ga? Masaka! - Me? Never!

Stretching and taking lessons from love, we learn carrying out somehow and living.