Hey there, my fellow writers and readers. Here is the next chapter of Blood, Love and Passion. Of course, I apologize for not updating sooner, as I was doing my best to get ideas first. Getting inspiration is tough — especially when you often have to struggle with writer's block like I sometimes do (which is highly tough in and of itself).

I got 3 nice new reviews for chapter 9, and I have to say, I am very proud of my writing at the way it's been going. So, I send my thanks to my reviewers — you know who you are.

Journey Maker: Glad you like it!

Koragirl: Thanks for the encouragement. That means a lot to me! And I'm glad you like the story too.

Sister Of The Pharaoh: Thanks! And don't worry, I'll make a lemon with this pairing too, somehow. And the dinner and ballroom dancing idea you gave me sounds great. I've been wanting to try those for some time now, and your encouragement really inspired me.

The song lyrics I put in here belong with their respectful owners. And as I don't want Yami and Arella to be forgotten completely, I put them in here occasionally. And Diamond Jackson is based on my friend Sister Of The Pharaoh, who gave me the idea based on the nice feedback she gave me. After all, even a vampire needs a mate, and I believe Kaiba is a part of that, too.

I also set this chapter in Las Vegas, Nevada because I was reminded of Tupac Shakur (June 16, 1971 — September 13, 1996... may he rest in peace) as I watched the Final 24 episode about him, and the image in my mind of him gambling at the crap table in the casino was really inspiring as well. So I decided, "Why not Las Vegas? It's a pretty neat place."

This is another two-part chapter, as I felt I should shorten it a bit, so I made this chapter Part 1. The next chapter is Part 2, hopefully.

Previously...

"Kaiba, this is Arella Van Helsing, now Arella Tepesh. She's my mate," he said.

"Hello, Kaiba," said Arella, suddenly feeling a bit shy.

Kaiba took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it ardently and respectfully. "I am proud," he said, "that Yami has found a mate in you."

Arella noticed he looked a little sad as well as a little wistful.

"Don't worry, Kaiba. You'll find a mate soon," she said comfortingly. "I am hopeful that you will. Just give it time."

Yami was proud of his lovely wife. She was so nice when it came to comforting someone — especially his best friend.

Arella stroked Kaiba's cheek in a comforting manner. "Just wait for the right time with the right person. You'll find someone," she said, smiling. "I just know it."

Kaiba thought over her words, and decided that she was right, after all. Even a vampire needs someone to love, and I am no different. But who's going to be my mate, help with work and such?

Kaiba now knew what he needed to do. The only problem was going out there and finding or waiting for the right mate.

Wait a minute, he thought. There is someone out there for me.

Immediately he knew who his mate was. And he knew what he had to do.

It was a hundred and seven
We were heading to town
She had her sleeves rolled up
And the windows rolled down
Oooh, that girl is a cowboy

Robert Earl was singing out
The "Buckin' Song"
With every word that keen was bringing
She was singing along
Oooh, that girl is a cowboy

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Place your bets."

"Ooh, cool! I won! Not bad for a first time like mine."

Cheers, as well as awes, were heard by the many people in the room in the casino, which was brightly lit up.

Many assortments of women in sparkling dresses of all colors and men in black tuxes walked around the green carpet room that held thousands of people who were foolish enough to bet all their money away.

"Soon they'd have to sell the clothes on their backs to put food on the table, even if it's just for a night," a man in the room said as everyone in the room began to laugh.

Sometimes the best cowboys
Ain't cowboys at all
She's got my back
Even when it's against the wall
When I need a friend
She's the guy to call
‛Cause sometimes the best cowboys
Ain't cowboys at all

Then conversation suddenly ceased in the casino.

"Hey, look over there."

"Who is that?"

The men and women trained their eyes over to the gold-gilded staircase, as a tall man — if a man is what you called him — with brown hair and wearing a purple trenchcoat, descended down the stairs, his pale fingers dancing along the oak railing. His right ring finger was adorned with a ring that had the insignia of a K and also matched his eyes.

The man descended the steps gracefully, not missing a single one, and headed across the floor. The women gasped as their eyes fell on his dashing face. Although his eyes were cobalt and looked to be full of ice, he looked absolutely charming. Every so often they would chance furtive looks around their drinks, their boyfriends and each other at Kaiba. Even their boyfriends suddenly winced as they felt the sharp bite of the fangs belonging to the snake of jealousy.

Kaiba smirked at the phrase. He loved making the other boys and men jealous. They began whispering to each other, wishing they were wearing the same clothes he did.

So I took her out to show her
How to rope and ride
I can't believe that it was me
That wound up broke and tied
Oooh, that girl is a cowboy

So that night I decided
We should paint the town
I made it home although
I really don't remember how
Oooh, that girl is a cowboy

Kaiba caught every one of their thoughts using his telepathy.

Why didn't we dress like him? We look like idiots.

I think he looks like a supermodel; no wonder our girlfriends fall so easily for those eyes of his.

He dresses so fine, too. I think he must be rich.

Kaiba looked at his surroundings with keen interest, smirking a bit as he glided through the crowd in a casual and stimulating sashay that effortlessly won him practically the entire casino's complete and undivided attention.

Well, almost everyone...

He stopped as his eyes suddenly fell on the back of the head of a girl. She had chocolate locks spilling out from under a black cowboy hat on her head, and she was wearing an emerald sweater over a white T-shirt and raven Levis. He watched as she caught a couple of red dice in her hand and closed it. Then she shook her fist, opened it and threw the dice down across the table as nimble as you please.

Classy dresser, he thought, smiling, as well as quite a player when it comes to the dice. No other girl can play like that.

Hmm...

With that thought in mind, Kaiba tuned out the voices of the crowd around him as he walked over to a dark corner where he could keep an eye on his potential mate, put his fingers to his temples and closed his eyes.

Yami, I think I've found a mate, he said.

Really? Good for you! Yami replied. Have you found out what she's like yet?

I don't know. But I'll find out soon, Kaiba explained.

Good luck, Kaiba, my friend.

Thanks, Yami, replied Kaiba. I'm going to need it.

Kaiba took his fingers away from his temples and then opened his eyes. He noticed there was an empty space next to the girl. His cobalt orbs lit up like a bright sunny day, and he confidently walked over to where she was standing.

Meanwhile, back at Yami's castle...

Yami held out his hand to Arella. "Dance with me, beloved?"

She smiled. "Sure, Yami."

With that, Yami waved his hand at the stereo, and as "Kiss from a Rose" began to play, Yami and Arella (who was now wearing a beautiful red satin dress) began to waltz to the tune, smiling lovingly at each other.

Meanwhile, back in Las Vegas...

Standing at the crap table, 21-year-old Diamond Jackson caught the red dice in her fist and then threw them across the table. She felt she was doing really well, and her cobalt eyes — hidden under her black cowboy hat — gleamed whenever she was about to throw the dice after catching them in her fist.

Diamond was a smart woman — although she felt she was plain to look at, but beautiful to know. However, at the age of 21, she was often sought after by some boys and men, who had different ideas; however, most guys already had girlfriends. So she just spied on them whenever they felt they weren't being watched, and often took notes about their behavior, as she preferred to be observant. One of her flaws was her temper, as well as speaking her mind (and she never used foul language once, as she thought before speaking) and being kind of hotheaded.

Her family — her parents, to be exact — were now dead and in the ground, having died of old age. But she didn't mind being alone like most people. She felt it was one of the best things in the world to happen to her.

Finally, after she caught the dice once more, she felt she needed to cool off, so she took off her cowboy hat and set it next to her, keeping a good grip on it. Then a voice spoke up.

"Hi."

Diamond threw a slight gaze to her right after two guys walked past her as though they were nothing more than wisps of smoke in the wind. She had seen them come and go in her time, but her eyes grew wide at the sight of the fiery vision with chocolate locks and oceanic eyes seeming to spill out of the purple trenchcoat. He was smiling at her.

"I'm Seto," he said.

"Of course you are," replied Diamond in a James Bond-like fashion.

"Seto Kaiba," he clarified.

"I see," Diamond remarked. She turned back to the crap table and played for two more times. Then when the group broke up, she stepped away from the table and walked through the crowd to where Kaiba was sitting. It was as though she felt a string of some kind connected to her ribcage, and that he was pulling on it. Calling to her. Enticing her to come closer.

For some reason, she was intrigued, and was able to connect with him almost instantly.

For one thing, he often held his head high and was full of courage. She could tell by the way he carried himself.