A/N: An addition to a growing addition.

Forbidden Fruit

Seras opened her eyes and realized she had once more stumbled into the recurring strange dreams, the moon high ahead showing the time of day. She appeared to be in the same woods as the first vision, clothed again only in her nightshirt, but there was an unusual odor in the air which she did not recognize. On the wind there were also the sounds of many voices and the clattering of metal upon metal, all making a great din which interrupted the peace of the forest. As she had no other choice, she used her senses and followed the sounds and smells which grew stronger with each step.

Soon Seras could discern a larger meadow ahead and the trees around her began to thin. The noise and odor had began to bother her as loud screams echoed in the air while the wind seemed filled with the scent of something burning. She had to cover her nose to keep from vomiting as the smell grew stronger, but she could not hide from the awful sounds which emanated from the open area.

Before Seras could reach the dreaded meadow, however, she heard the beating of hooves coming in her direction from her side. She turned her head and watched as if rooted to the spot as two horsemen, one chasing the other, furiously galloped toward herself. The young woman barely had time to jump out of the way before the first horse came barreling down where she had just stood, the steed's nostrils flaring as the second rider came upon them quickly.

To Seras' horror she watched as the second horseman swung a large sword and severed the head of the first rider, causing blood to spill forth from the dead man's neck as his lifeless corpse dropped to the ground. The horse, terrified, continued without its master and sped off into the woods. Rather than chase after the loose steed, as she thought the living combatant would do, he instead turned and began galloping back to where she stood.

With eyes full of fear as she remembered her last dream of wild men, Seras turned and ran in the direction the horsemen had come. She was no match for the steed, however, and soon she tripped over a branch and fell upon the ground as the rider came down upon her fallen form. The young woman flipped over and scrambled across the ground as the rider dismounted and walked toward where she sat.

With a cry Seras tried to stand and run, but strong hands grasped on of her own and she was pulled against a foul-smelling chest with armor plating. She coughed upon the smell and struggled to gain freedom, but her captive merely laughed at her vain tries and tightened his grip as he began to drag her toward his horse.

"Let me go!" she demanded through the stifling smell as he hefted her up onto the rough saddle.

"I don't think so" the man plainly spoke as he seated himself behind his captive and, placing his arms on either side as barriers, grabbed the reins and ordered the horse forward at a fast trot.

Seras could only sit quietly as he turned the steed toward the noise of the meadow, though now the sounds were not at loud as they had once been. The smell, however, had not improved and she still found herself gagging to keep her food within her stomach. The effort proved almost impossible as the clearing came into view.

Seras' eyes widened in horror and disgust as she caught her first full view of the meadow. The carnage of a battle lay spread out before them as they trudged their way around the last efforts of a fruitless battle. Slain warriors lay scattered about, some heaped upon their comrades and others found side by side with their foe. Blood coated what had once been fine grass and a nearby stream was discolored with the red life liquid. The smell the young woman had noticed came from many corpses which had been partially burnt by torches which lay strewn across the ground, apparently to light the way for the groups.

Thankfully her captor soon turned away from the carnage and toward the opposite direction she had come, his goal apparently within a small group of tents which lay in the far distance away from the field. They passed wounded and dying troops as they entered the small camp of survivors, most of whom were exhausted from the long battle they had just taken part in.

Seras, however, noticed the hungry looks of even the most tired of the warriors as she passed them by upon the horse. Their eyes were less than kind and quite a number called out to her captor to halt his horse for some entertainment, but he thankfully did not heed them. Instead he led the steed to the largest of the tents, which outside contained two guards and a light could be seen within showing a large gathering of men.

Seras squeaked in surprise as the soldier suddenly stopped the horse and dismounted, his hands wrapping about her waist and pulling her roughly from the saddle. She was quickly handed over to a guard, one which looked more reliable than the ones they had just passed, and the man walked over to the tent. She watched as he flew open the flap at the entrance and spread his arms wide in a friendly gesture.

"You were to have the first spoils, weren't you, my lord?" Seras' captive spoke up as he stepped into the tent out of her sight. "Then I present you with a fine gift."

His words must have been a signal as the soldier which held her pushed Seras forward and marched her into the enclosed area for all to see. The rider grabbed her as she entered and shoved her into the middle on a waiting rug, as though showing her as some trinket. She shuffled nervously as all eyes broached over her thin shirt and ample breasts, every man thinking what a prize the horseman had brought for their lord.

Seras dared not raise her head and look into the eager eyes of the warriors, but a presence which stood before her caught her attention. Slowly she allowed her bright blue orbs to lift upward and meet the intense gaze who's strength of will had moved her to forsake her fear and instead succumb to her curiosity. To the young woman's shock she clearly recognized the young boy and child with which she had interacted in her previous dreams, though now he had changed drastically.

Before her stood a man, one of many battles and hardships who's shaven face did not yet show the ravages of wrinkles. He was seated upon a simple bench, dressed in armor with a sword at his hip. He was in the flower of youth, the early age of twenty and willing to fight for what was rightfully his own.

Seras blushed and looked away, her thoughts wondering if he remembered her from their previous encounters. The answer to her question would have to wait as one of the men to her left suddenly stood and stepped out into the center toward where she still quivered in anticipation and fright.

"My lord, what a pleasant gift your loyal servant has brought you" he graciously spoke as he swept a hand in Seras' direction. "But perhaps there is enough for each man to have his fill of the feast?" he asked, his words full of desire for the ripe fruit before the hungry audience.

"I think not" the lord replied as he stood to his own feet and grinned widely at the company. "Does anyone else wish to have a taste of what is not rightfully his?" he asked the group as Seras looked about in desperation.

The young woman feared more would reply and the majority would rule, but an underlying tone in the lord's voice silenced the other warriors. Not another stood with the first, and he was left alone and now unsure of his request. The lord looked to his wayward warrior, a strange and frightening glint in his eyes.

"You may leave to your own bounty, but leave mine in peace" he commanded in a firm and dangerous tone as his grin became more sinister and wicked with each word.

"Yes, my lord" the warrior answered with a hasty bow, and he made his exit without further conversation.

"Leave us, all of you" the lord ordered aloud as his eyes then slowly turned upon the young woman. "I wish to enjoy my feast."

The warriors laughed at his small joke as they followed his commands and quickly left the tent. The flap was closed behind the last and Seras was finally left alone with the strange lord, her body still quivering with fright. She had felt comfortable around the child and young boy, but the man who now stood before her was a new entity altogether. There was something unnatural about his entire being which disturbed her senses, and her only thought was to flee from the strange feeling.

"You would not make it far" he suddenly commented as he began to stroll around her form as he inspected his prize. He chuckled quietly at her astonished expression. "Your eyes tell me you wish to flee, but your body wants its desires granted."

"D-desires?" Seras stammered as she hugged her arms about herself in a futile effort to cover her body. "W-what are you talking about?" she managed to speak as his pacing further unnerved her mind.

"Your shaking is not from fear" he spoke as his footsteps suddenly stopped behind where she stood. "For you know who I am" he whispered almost into her ear, his words catching her breath.

Seras' eyes dilated as she felt a hand slide around her waist and her back was pressed against a hard chest. She now realized he had also recognized her, but his announcement was less surprising than what his touch was doing to her body. The young woman could barely breathe as his free hand slid up her thinly clad thigh and stopped just below the waist. His hesitation nearly drove her mad as she leant her head back against his shoulder and clenched her teeth shut to keep from gasping at his gentle caresses.

Suddenly Seras was turned to face the young man, his eyes showing a cool and mischievous glint as he held her close in his arms. His hands, however, never stopped moving as they rubbed gently at the small of her back, the motion causing the young woman eye's to lower at the soft massage of his deft fingers. His voice was the only sound which called her back to the situation as his lips teasingly nibbled against her ears.

"A prize well won, after such a battle" he softly spoke as his lips turned up in a devilish smile. "So I shall well enjoy the fruits of my labors" as the lord swooped down to capture her lips in a sensual kiss.

Seras awoke at the worst possible moment, her body quivering with anticipation at the kiss which would never come. She groaned and attempted to grab for the sheets, only to find she had kicked them off the bed in her fit of passion. With a growl of frustration she decided bed was not an option, so she arose and dressed for the long day.

The young woman ignored the daylight which penetrated through her thin curtains and munched upon some dry cereal as she listened to the clock upon the wall strike noon. Her focus, however, was still on the last night's dream, and the book which she could view sitting upon her coffee table. She could not imagine what had prompted such dreams other than the object which lay within her living room.

The strange dreams, the visitation by the even odder woman, all had begun with the arrival of the empty book. Now, though, she knew the pages were no longer blank but had been written upon by a hand not her own, nor of her unwelcome visitor the previous night. She toyed with the notion of sleep writing, but the idea seemed silly enough for her to chuckle at the thought.

If she could only find the sender of the package, or even the company which had brought the item, she would have a chance at returning the unusual book and ridding herself of the dreams and visitors.

Though the dreams were becoming a point of fascination on her part as she watched the man's life scroll past her eyes. Seras' musings, unfortunately, were interrupted by a ring of the phone, and she quickly answered the annoying machine.

"Hello?" she asked, her voice sounding tired even to her own ears.

"Hey, Seras" she heard a male's voice on the other side, one which she recognized as belonging to William. "The chief says everyone's to report back to work tonight as usual. The place must have been put back together, so we're back to our duties."

"Oh..." she trailed off as her excitement for the job seemed dissipate. Too many things were happening at once. "All right, I'll be there."

"Oh, and a final note" William added with his voice lowered in a worried tone. "The chief says if you get any more weird phone calls, you're to report them to me immediately. Got it?"

"Yes, I understand" Seras replied as she hung up the phone and sighed heavily.

Today was just not one of her days.

Late in the afternoon, as the sun was lowering in the sky, Seras set out for the police department in her vehicle. She felt uneasy about leaving her apartment to return to the job, but her sense of duty was stronger than the emotion. The book had preyed on her mind all day and she had been tempted to open the cover several times, but each urge had been quenched by an unknown fear. The line of duty would hopefully turn her mind away from such unusual thoughts and toward a more productive outlet.

Soon, she would regret not staying at home with the strange book.

Seras turned a corner and, with only a few blocks left before the station, noticed a well-dressed young man standing beside the road. As her headlights flashed upon his face she noticed he had an unusually large grin upon his lips, and his eyes glistened strangely against the glow of the beams. Then the stranger suddenly jumped out in front of her vehicle.

Seras stepped upon the breaks and swerved away from the young man. She nearly collided into a lamppost on the other side of the street, but she managed to turn at the last moment and avoid another accident. With a last squeal of her tires she came to a stop with her hood facing toward where the man still stood, her beams shining upon his shadowed figure and her breathing erratic in the car.

As Seras watched, however, the stranger seemed unaffected by what had happened and continued to silently stand in place. Then, to the young woman's terror, his head slowly turned to look in her direction, his wicked grin still plastered upon his face.

Before she knew what had happened, the man was at her car door and his face was peering into the vehicle. She nearly screamed as she stepped her foot on the pedal and the car spun on the road before flashing down the road at high speed.

The insane man was left behind, but Seras could not shake the emotions which he had stirred as she tried to focus on getting to the station. The man's eerie grin remained burnt into her memory, and she could not believe he had so brazenly stepped out onto the road. If her reflexes had not reacted so quickly, he would have undoubtedly been hit and killed, but he seemed to have had no regard for his own life.

Thankfully Seras soon arrived at her destination without any more mishaps and stumbled into the station with relief. The building had indeed been put back together, but there still were signs of the vandalism as fresh paint and scuffed floors told the tale. William noticed her tired entrance and walked over to her as she came to her desk.

"Are you all right?" he asked as she jumped in fright at his voice, but calmed as she seemed to realize it was only him.

"Just tired, I guess" she lamely lied as she fell down into her chair. "Still not used to the night shift, and driving in the dark" she explained as she organized a few loose files on her desk.

"You know, you could have taken the night off" William suggested as he sat on the corner of her desk. "The chief wouldn't have yelled at you at all, since you've been having a pretty hard time with this job."

No, that's fine" Seras quickly replied, her tone almost biting, as she rummaged through her things to figure out what was missing. The patronizing tone of her superior officer was more than what she wanted, and the differential treatment was not what she was looking for in the police force. "I can get the job done, sleep or no sleep" she spoke up in a more chipper voice as she gave him a forced smile.

"All right" William replied doubtfully as he slid off his makeshift chair. "But if you need anything, just ask" he offered as he strolled away.

As soon as he was out of earshot Seras sighed loudly as she rubbed her forehead. If things kept up as they were, she might think about taking that offered vacation.