ETERNITY:
[VIVI AZUL]

/ PAST; 1889


The moon was high in the sky, allowing it's light to sit on the edge of his window ledge. The room, barely furnished with just a chair and a bed to the far right, smelled with the lingered scent of perfume and kisses. Ontop the bed laid Squall; his eyes half-lidded, peered to the ceiling as his mouth stayed steady in a happy smirk. His thoughts raced with the moments that only happened an hour before.

He had been laying still in his bed, awaiting the sweet dreams to hit his heart (not his mind, for as much as he wished, there was no realsleeping for him.) He had heard her voice call up to him from outside his window. When he had peeked out the glass, the young beautiful Rinoa graced his front yard with her presence. He had smiled down at the young woman, and spoke to her as sweetly as his voice allowed, "What brings you hear so late? Wouldn't your father worry about you?"

"He's asleep, and has been for most of the day, Squall. I needed to speak to you, and even if he were awake... I wouldn't have allowed him to stop me from leaving our home. There's just some words I need to say. Immediately."

There was an urgency in her voice. And it had been the same urgency that allowed them to meet many months before; the same urgency that caused his feet to pick up swiftly and run down his set of stairs to the front door. The moment he had opened it, she had thrown herself into his arms and pressed her lips to his in a firm kiss. Within the moment of embrace, she had whispered against his lips her undying love for him. How she wished to be his, for all eternity. Squall had pulled back and responded with worry, advising her to rethink her thoughts... for he loved her too, but the situation was beyond their control, whether each of them wished to accept it. Quickly, her head shook and she whispered close to his ear, "No, Squall... no other man has captivated my heart the way you have... and I wish you to have it forever. Forever, no matter how hard this life would be... As long as it's a life with you."

Her words echoed in his mind; she loved him, and no matter how hard life could be... she was willing to have him forever. It sent his soul at ease... at long last, he thought, I know what true love is.

….SQUALL...

He blinked twice, very quickly and let his senses heighten themselves.

….SQUALL...

It was her. Her voice. Calling out to him... he heard her in the distance.

He sat up quickly and listened again. A scent of fear made its way through the window and filled the air. He could pin point the location; it was her. Rinoa. Something was wrong. Her fear crept up the line of his back, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand tall. Quickly, he stood, and left the room; left his house and ran.

He ran through the woods the right of his home, and followed the path of the river. Even with his quick feet, and the rush of wind hitting his face, he could still pick up the scent rather well. Stronger, it grew; and the intensity of it scared him. It took him seconds to reach her; to him, internally, it felt like hours.

Just near the center of the river bed, Rinoa was held up against a tree by three men; One held a dagger to her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at the three; her minds raced endlessly, and with Squall so close, they filled his thoughts:

They know. They disapprove. Save me, do something, Love. Anything... please, please. I know you can, I know you can.

Squall balled his hands into fists. Adrenaline started it's rush through his veins. With a quick motion, he grabbed one of the men by their shoulders and tossed them into the water. Another motion, the other man was flat on his back with Squall's foot standing steady on his neck. "Release her." he said sternly.

The man holding the dagger turned his head; Squall's heart sank to the bottom of his chest. It was the Mayor;It was her father. "You've caused me to disown my own daughter. My... own... daughter. You fucking monster. You realize what you've done."

He wouldn't release his foot from the man below him, but spoke as calmly as he was able, "Sir... you don't seem to understand. We've done nothing wrong. I have nothing but strong, love and devotion for your daughter. All more but nothing less."

"MONSTER!" The Mayor yelled, and pressed the dagger close to her neck, "You vampires are easy to detect, and I promise the lord almighty that you demons will one day vanish from this Earth. Even if my Rinoa must follow the path of darkness... it kills me to send her with your damned soul."

"DON'T!" Squall yelled. Fury brewed in his eyes, fury with a mixture of fear. His body trembled, and his docile spirit stirred with confusion. "She loves me! I love her! There needn't be more to explain!"

The Mayor didn't speak. Nor did he move. It was so sudden, another rush of air blew passed them. And another. The men on the floor had ceased to breathe, and the mayor himself let his eyes close suddenly before his body collapsed. Rinoa stayed frozen against the wood; Squall could hear her rapid heart beat. Her eyes danced with fear as she looked around them, both of them confused.

A hand landed on Squall's shoulder, "Oh, Brother. You and your dear, dear love for the mortal flesh. She is pretty, isn't she?"

His heart stopped. Squall stared at Rinoa in fear and reached for her. However, an insane pain spread up his arm and all feeling left his legs, which caused him to drop to his knees. With a blink of an eye, Rinoa was then held up against a large, pale man. Wild curls cut evenly around his head, red eyes beamed at Squall from the shadow of the tree, "You've been disowned, Squall." the man said, and laughed, "We've warned you. You run. You disobey. Do you think we wouldn't find you? You give off a scent just like a skunk would; We can trace you for miles."

"N-No..." Squall stuttered and shook his head in shame, "I'm giving my most apologies but please don't hurt the girl! I beg of you!"

There was no remorse. No hesitation. Rinoa's body fell lifeless at the edge of the river, her head slowly moving in the gentle pushing waters. There was no good-bye between the two. Squall extended the pain free arm to her face, and felt the cold flesh hit his flesh; he shuttered. Tears fell from his eyes without his control. "Squall, look at me."

He wouldn't. His eyes stayed glued to the frozen beauty of her face. She was put to memory, almost instantly. "You'll pay..." he whispered angrily.

"Ha!" the man laughed, and patted his long finger nails against the tree, "You make me laugh. Come on now. This is madness. She was going to die anyway. She was sick. Didn't she tell you?"

He glared up at the older vampire and shook his head, "You lie! You killed her because of me!"

"Ah, well, that too yes. I do admit she died because of your irresponsibility." He bared his fangs at Squall, "However, she was going to die. I don't understand how you couldn't have known. Her blood reeked with the scent of illness."

Squall couldn't bare to listen. He lifted himself to his feet and ran; fast. Faster than he thought he could. The vampire's voice behind him called out, "You can't run anymore! I will find you by morning! Her scent is all over you! I will find you!"

Rinoa... that's why you wished me to turn you. And I hadn't... if I had... you'd still be with me. Rinoa... I'm weak now, but I vow revenge. You will not have died in vain. I do love you... don't judge me for running. Please.