here's your next chapter, i'll mope later. And i changed the title to suit the story. the ending actually.

Van Helsing doesn't belong to me.

The next few days was spent in a constantly swirling vortex of faces, voices and people she couldn't recognize. Fading in and out of the world of the living and the dead, she could only discern certain characters. For example, she would always feel protected by a certain lean and muscular body which held her tightly, the gentle smooth voice full of concern, the faerie queen with hair of insatiable fire, eyes of light green, a trembling person who was afraid of the gentle one (why was he trembling anyway?), the gentle one being angry with the faerie queen, why was he so angry, yet so caring towards her… She couldn't comprehend anything. In this delirious state of hers, she faded back and forth, back and forth..

Noriko finally awoke, fully aware of her surroundings the first time in three days. How nice it felt… To be held by someone as she slept. But now, the velvet bonds that were hands were keeping her in her place, restraining her, possessive and strong, but warm and soft. She struggled weakly, before managing to come face to face with the count. If she could, she would have leapt back in shock. He appeared to have just awoken as well, his eyes had the tell-tale signs of having just woken up, drowsy, not like the sharp piercing eyes she had seen before. His hair was tousled and many loose hairs floated across his face. At such a close proximity, she could clearly see his features, all of which marked him out as an even more virile man than she thought.

Her thickly lashed eyes were staring at him, like she had just discovered something, something which unnerved her. Under his gaze, she turned again in his arms and leant her head against the pillow instead of on his chest. She looked everywhere, except at him.

She'd rather not look at him anymore, it would not bode well if she fell in love. The sheets were of the purest black, it was as if he had pulled the sky down and made it his bed. She didn't want to get involved with him, or anybody for that matter. Something was tugging at the side of her mind. Eversince she had known him, misfortune came often. Too often for her liking, he definitely had a secret, a secret she was unwilling to be dragged into…

"I am a vampire. A bloodsucker." It was as if he had read her mind. She paused, letting it sink in… Well, that explains everything. He shifted her position so that she had no choice but to lean on his chest. "Why didn't you suck my blood then? That's insulting!" Her mouth spoke before her brain. He chuckled, a rich, syrupy sound that vibrated in her ear, making her tremble. In response, he drew her closer, encircling that small waist of hers.

She was like a doll, a dainty, fragile doll. He had never sired women who were as small as her before, since he was much taller, he sired women like Aleera, tall, with a generous figure. Speaking of which, he never quite understood why he sired her in the first place. He sired her for fun probably, since he was bored. But he had never mated with her, doing so with only Marishka and Verona. They had a sense of maternal instinct, something which made him feel like mating with them. But he knew Aleera was no innocent. The way she had been throwing herself onto him eversince the others had died clearly showed the truth. (Besides, he had given her bruises that wouldn't be most likely to heal very soon, especially on that vain face of hers.)

A growling sound was coming out from his throat, and she feared for her safety, cursing her own stupidity at the same time. "C…Count?" She asked tentatively. A sudden nuzzling at her neck told her that she had gotten his attention. She pushed him away slightly, the sensations wrecking all her thoughts, mind and logic. No, she had to get back on track. "Can I do something for you? I mean, you've done so much for me, I feel that I must do something to make up for all the trouble." She had to choose her words carefully, if not, she would end up dead very very soon.

"Very well, I want to know you more." Before her brain could sputter out a response, he continued, the vibrations running down her body, the warm breath on her skin causing chaos to her nerves. "I want you to allow me to know you more, to let me see past those walls you try to hide behind. Of course you have no reason to do so, but as you have so kindly put it, I have saved your life many times, offering lodging and even healing you. If I wanted to kill you or feed on you, I would have done so earlier; moreover, I know that you want to know me more, just the way I want to know you." She could only dumbly nod.

Gathering her wits about her, she finally asked the one question that was on her mind, "Can I get out of bed now?"

It was a most unexpected question, causing him to shake with laughter, pulling her closer and kissing the top of her head. The heady smell of her was almost driving his senses mad. He climbed out of bed, carrying her along with him. "Yes you may, on one condition." A smile played at his lips. "That I carry you."

It was amazing the way his clothes didn't seem crumpled. In fact, he looked even more gentlemanly than ever. Knowing that she really couldn't walk and recalling her earlier promise, her brows furrowed together as she agreed. Suddenly, it was like she was falling, his arms had disappeared. She cried out in shock, before she was caught by his arms again. She glared at him as he gave her a smile that seemed most apologetic.

Dracula was grinning from ear to ear inside as she fastened her arms tightly across his chest, the fear of falling being the main pivotal power in her actions. He strode through the halls, heading straight to the library, every step, bounce and movement bringing their bodies closer together, her arms and face now buried in his chest, he could feel her shuddering at every large jolt, as if she was feeling pleasure…

This was not good. The Count's bare hands holding her bare legs, the fact that every single jolt of movement sent an electric shock through her body, a feeling that was not unpleasurable. He smelt good, a comforting scent which she could never get enough of, so she unconsciously nuzzled him, feeling the heat radiating from his body, all too soon, they had reached a room and she immediately recognized the aging smell of books as she struggled to run to them, but his hands held her fast.

He sat down, with her still in his lap. They were like a puzzle piece, fitting one another perfectly. Noriko squirmed a little, finding a comfortable spot in his lap. She watched in amazement as he snapped his fingers and book after book from different shelves came down and hovered in the air before them. "Choose one." His voice seemed huskier than usual, she wondered why. She finally picked one that had the words 'Noseferatu: The Vampire' in large print and the others flew back to their respective shelves. She wanted to know more about him.

He stared at it in distaste, immediately picking the book out of her hands and tossing it to one side. "You have a real vampire before you, wouldn't it be easier?" He shifted her again so that she was sitting sideways, her legs across his arms, it provided both an view of the other's face. She struggled to get off him, knowing that she would be too distracted. "Can I sit on another chair? This is too squeezy for the both of us." She lied. He shook his head and resumed his stroking of her arm, causing her to squirm and him to gasp.

"Have I hurt you?" She asked quickly, concern evident in her voice as she moved about, trying to find the place where she thought she hurt him. It didn't occur to her that the gasp might not have been caused by pain. A strangled sound came from his throat and yet he wouldn't let her off his lap.

Her actions were causing the desire in him to become even more inflamed, her naivety contrasting greatly with the thoughts that plagued his mind ever since she had given him that woozy smile and told him to do so himself. There were so many scenarios where it would end with that woozy smile. It was hard to keep his hands off her, but he didn't want to scare her, but it was getting hard to control. All his undead life, he had never been filled with such lust, desire and…love. It was an unknown sensation, he had never believed that he could love or even fall in love so quickly. He wanted her, wanted her so badly and she wasn't doing anything to help ease it. Hugging her tightly, he teleported.

It was the oddest sensation and she gripped him so tightly, afraid to let go. Slowly, she lifted her head and saw that they were in a grandly decorated room with a huge fireplace and had cushions and was carpeted. "Put me down." She struggled out, landing on the floor with a thud. She gave him a small smile before stretching out on the carpet. A yelping bounding ball of fur joined her. The Count sitting in a chair himself.

He watched her stretch and tumble around with the cub, the roaring fire casting warmth on everything else, the shadows outlining her curves and body, until she became a moving piece of sensual art. Every breath she took and expelled drew his attention, the rise and falls of her chest, those full lips enticing him like a bee to a flower.

Suddenly, she was on her back and the count was above her, looking at her with eyes full of powerful emotions. Fear blossomed and she closed her eyes, her face shying away from his gaze.

He should most definitely control his passion and it must have shown on his features since she called his name most tentatively, afraid of what was going to happen. "My name is Vladislaus Dracula. Call me by my name." His breath came out harshly. "Vlad…? Do you need to feed? If…if you promise not to suck me dry, I'll let you." She hardly knew what she was talking about as she drew back the neckline of her furs, revealing her neck. This was all too tempting for Dracula, she was offering herself to him. He slowly lowered his head and bit into willing flesh. The first jab of pain she would feel would be normal, but he would make it a pleasurable experience for her.

She was drawn into a world, a world of greys and blues, pieces of colourful glass of different shapes and sizes protruded out from everywhere, blue bolts of electric blue currents flowed around them.. In the shards, there seemed to be scenes playing. She walked closer to one small one and saw a young Vlad parrying with another man. Vlad was obviously winning and he made the other lose the sword. "Van Helsing, I've beaten you again." He laughed. Van Helsing gave him an upset look. "One day I will win you instead Vladislaus Dracula!"

Noriko! She heard her name being called and spun around to meet the warm hug of Dracula. Where are we? She wasn't speaking but the thought came out clearly, heard by both. Apparently in my mind. He gave her a wry smile and she took his hand and pulled him to another shard, a much larger one. Immediately he tried to pull her away, but she stood fast, watching another scene unfold, this time involving her as well. He groaned. Of all memories, she had found the one where he first met her. Why are some bigger and more beautiful with more colours? She asked. They're more important. He gruffly replied. He couldn't stop her as she ran from one shard to another, seeing his life, feeling his pain and anger and…want… It was like all his precious moments and secrets in his life were all being spied on by her, but he knew that he would tell her all about them sooner or later. He felt so vulnerable, causing her to shyly put her hand into his and holding it there. She blushed furiously, making him feel much better.

The whole place changed again and now they were in a world that looked beautiful, although it was badly scarred. This time, there were no shards, instead there were bubbles, bubbles of hope and the same electric blue charges. Vladislaus held firmly on her hand as he explored her life, the anger, shame and unknown feelings that she didn't understand. He was looking at a particularly large golden bubble, playing the scene where he was carrying her. He smirked. My dear, that is called pleasure... He purred. And she refused to look at him. You like me don't you? He watched her closely. She refused to answer and he had on a wide smile as he kissed her forehead. He explored all her fears, keeping them in mind, swearing to protect her from them. The fear of losing a love one appealed to him the most though. If you marry me, you'll never lose me. He nudged her, causing her to blush again and before he had time to enjoy that blush, everything faded away…

And they realized that she was lying on him, on the carpeted floor. "I believe that you have just taken a crash course to know me." He said wryly, Noriko smiled and blushed at the thoughts she had seen in his head as he flipped so that he was on top. His lips were inching closer to her expectant skin when she put her hands up, preventing him from doing so. "Thank you." She murmured as she raised her head and pressed her lips to the tip of his nose.

He was surprised at her bold gesture and stared at her, noting apprehension, he slowly lowered his lips to return the favour, but this time, he kissed her on the lips. "Do it with passion, love…" He breathed into her lips. "Yes… By the Dark Lords, you're so sweet…" he murmured.

She obeyed his instructions, the hesitant hands now curling into his hair, pressing his head gently towards hers, sub-consciously. He dominated the kiss, invoking untold pleasures in her body, as she arched her back, molding their form as one. An inquisitive tongue made it harder to breathe as he hungrily explored her mouth, letting her taste run through his mouth, over his tongue, down his throat. He devoured her. It was amazing what a little praise can do for she began probing him back, hesitantly, but all the while growing boldly.

Their tongues fused as one, sliding across each other. Dracula was very aware of the mewling sounds coming from the back of her throat, her body shuddering with all the pleasure underneath him as his fingers traced a burning path over her skin. He smiled as he dropped small kisses on her heated skin, gently and tenderly worrying her ear, blowing into it, where he pulled part of the furs away, nibbling her collarbone.

Noriko had never been kissed before and his mouth was teasing hers and her whole body with feather-light kisses that barely qualified as such. Softness conformed to hardness. He resumed his journey at her mouth, but she kept it firmly close again, not wanting to lose herself like before. He conquered her with tenderness as she yielded. He tickled the corners of her mouth with the tip of his tongue, wanting to taste her again. She involuntarily relaxed and he pushed his tongue between her lips, not plundering like before, but persuading. It flickered over her lips, teeth, through her mouth, caressed with loving strokes each delicious discovery that belied the monstrous hunger growing within.

Her moans only encouraged his tongue to flirt with hers then delving deeply. He himself was losing control, fighting off the urge to strip her naked, to bare her smooth skin to his hungry eyes, for him to enjoy. They finally parted, both with ragged breaths, with her becoming aware of a sudden hard object poking her. He teleported them back to his bed, where she quickly fell asleep, tired with the whole experience. He cast a long loving glance to the woman sleeping peacefully on the bed, eyelashes fluttering against her skin, before he left, to find out more about the experience they had just gone through.

Ok, there's an exceptionally long chapter, hope you people enjoy it.

Its after exams and i am upset... simply put, i failed... not for all subjects of course... and i dont want to be kicked out of my class...

sniff