Disclaimer: Not mine…the only thing I own is the plot and Kuro and no you cannot have either.
A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I've had this chapter planned for a while…a lot of information, but still not all of it…hehehehe.
Yes, I also received an e-mail from forgetfullove today…her and Becky had a discussion and the result is that forgetfullove is doing a trailer for "Evanescent Memory," so be sure to keep an eye on her youtube profile and my ffnet one…I'll post the link.
Chapter 9
Lust For Blood
He had to protect her.
He had to make sure she would be safe.
The vision of Lucius Malfoy holding Hermione from behind like some captive was haunting. He could tell she wanted to reach out to him…he saw her struggle slightly, but why when he was nothing more than a cursed monster?
He knew.
It was an unspoken threat, but a threat none the less.
Lucius Malfoy had a hold of the thing Kuro most wanted…something he cherished. What would have become of her if he continued to fight? He could easily have taken her from that ball, but he wanted…he needed her to come to him.
He was growing weaker by the day…each night passing
unfed…malnourished…weakening…dying. He sat on the floor, not having the energy to reach the cot. His weakened arm reached up, chains rattling in the process and grabbed the side of his head.
She was in there…eating at him like a slow painful poison.
"Just what is it that is so special about you?"
The icy cold voice of his captor did not frighten him. Very little actually frightened him…even his own death would be welcome. His captor did not expect an answer…he knew that. He wouldn't give him one anyway. He heard the echoing sound of the serpent handled cane hitting each bar of his cell as his captor paced, allowing the cane to jump from bar to bar. He stopped pacing and stared at the vampire in the cage.
"Why did you come so easily? Surely a vampire is strong enough to break free of wizards?"
The mocking tone washed over Kuro and angered him. He lacked the energy to respond physically as he so wished to do. What would happen to her if he did?
"Do you know nothing of sacrifice," his tired yet fierce voice echoed in the dungeon. "Is there nothing you would sacrifice for that which you hold dear?"
The blonde man looked down his nose in disgust at this monster talking of emotions as if he had a right to have them or even the capability.
"Yes, there is," he answered. "I am willing to sacrifice you."
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Hermione sat up, ready to scream. She couldn't remember exactly why…if it was a dream or something else and if it was a dream what it was about. She just knew this overwhelming fear and panic that felt as if it were strangling her last breath from her body. She looked around the dark room…disoriented as to where she was.
The library.
The restricted section.
"Bloody hell," she exclaimed, tossing the invisibility cloak over herself and running from the library hopefully unnoticed.
She said the password to the Fat Lady, ignoring her tsking Hermione for being out and stumbled into the common room. The room was empty. It was late and most students had gone to bed in preparation for the first day of classes. Everyone except for Harry. He turned when she entered eyeing her as if checking for evidence that she was not alright. Hermione tossed him the cloak and said thanks. Harry watched her rush by.
"Did you get what you needed," he asked.
Hermione stopped at the bottom of the stairs leading to the girls' dormitory.
"I found something," she said not being real specific. "Not sure if it'll help me though."
She turned tossing a "goodnight" over her shoulder.
Hermione should have known better. She thought she had gotten away with outright disappearing when she had a guard to watch her every move. How could she be so daft and yet be the brightest witch of her age?
When she stepped into her Head Girl room she found Lucius Malfoy sitting regally in a chair, facing the door and waiting for her arrival. With a flick of his wand, her door was locked and warded from anyone entering. She swallowed nervously, waiting for him to say something.
"Miss Granger," he said rising from his chair. "I may not have the authority to give out detentions, but I do have the authority to tether you to me if I find it necessary."
He paused, stepping forward and looking down at her.
"Don't make it necessary," he said.
She still felt the fear and panic rushing through her veins as it had in such strong doses before waking up. In the back of her mind she could see Kuro chained to the wall like an animal. Lucius noticed the fire in her eyes and the way she did not back down from him. He stepped forward just to test these waters he was quickly finding himself in.
There was something different stirring in Lucius Malfoy though. An anger that stemmed from someone else's fascination with her. He reached out and roughly grabbed her wrist. Hermione's forehead scrunched up in confusion and slight pain. She pulled and twisted to try to get her wrist out of his grip. Something was different…something was off.
"Mister Malfoy," she said pulling her arm some more.
He didn't respond; he took another step forward. Hermione felt her back hit the door behind her.
"Lucius," she said.
That seemed to get his attention. He looked down his nose at her, dropping her wrist.
"Should you not be in bed," he asked.
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Hermione sat in her History of Magic class taking diligent notes as she always did…as Ron always expected her to. Her mind wasn't really on what she was doing. She knew that everywhere she went there was a Malfoy…Lucius Malfoy beneath an invisibility cloak watching her every move. She knew that Kuro was being treated like something subhuman. She knew that she had to find a way out of the school without Lucius knowing…she had to go to this Monogatari Hanajima.
Somehow Hermione knew this Monogatari Hanajima had at least some of the answers. She looked across the room at Draco sitting with Blaise and a couple other Slytherins. He looked up when her eyes landed on him and with a smirk he exaggerated a yawn expressing his boredom. She rolled her eyes, turning back to her parchment.
In the seat next to her, though it appeared empty, sat Lucius Malfoy underneath the invisibility cloak. He watched her every move. No one would know…no one could see. Why was he even doing this? Every move she made fascinated him and why was that? Was it simply because someone else was fascinated with her? No, that did not explain his enthrallment with her during the final battle. She rolled her eyes at his son and turned to her parchment. A piece of hair fell down cutting across her profile. He felt the urge to reach out and move it. What would she do if he made any sort of contact during class? She would be irritated he had no doubt, but what would she do? What could she do when his presence was a secret to most? His hand reached out, ready to touch her albeit through the indivisibility cloak.
She moved her hand up, tucking the loose strand of hair behind her ear. His hand froze halfway to her face. The image of Kuro in the cell in his dungeon flashed in his mind and he smiled. If only she knew and realized what he was doing to keep her safe…nothing he wouldn't be doing anyway. It was just an added bonus…her safety.
He realized class was over when she was frantically tossing her things in her bag and rushing for the door, only to ram right into Draco.
"Watch it, Granger!"
Draco looked down at her, ignoring the knowledge that she just had her hand in his pants pocket. Most people knew they were on speaking terms…a few knew that Draco considered her one of his closest actual friends. He had to hand it to her though. Her acting abilities had improved since her earlier years. Though he really thought her throwing herself back to the ground at the impact was a bit much.
Rolling his eyes he reached down and pulled her up by her arm. As soon as she was on her feet he leaned down to whisper into her ear.
"Don't over do it, Gryffindor."
Hermione shoved him back off her trying to hide her laughter. From across the room Ron glared at the both of them. Harry looked between the scene and Ron with a saddened expression. Hermione was trapped in a house with Draco for an extended length of time. It was inevitable that they would get over their aversion for each other.
As Hermione left the classroom with her invisible guard Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out the parchment Hermione placed there.
Tonight…ten o'clock…astronomy tower.
With a grin, he stuck the parchment back in his pocket and swept from the classroom.
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Hermione was pacing back and forth on the Astronomy tower. Draco was late. When the door opened and she heard the echoing sound of feet she stopped pacing and turned. Draco emerged from the darkness with a silly grin as she rushed forward toward him.
"Anxious to see me, Hermione?"
She rolled her eyes. She turned around and looked out over the horizon. The moon was hanging high in the sky and her mind naturally found its way to Kuro.
"I need help, Draco. I've found out where the woman on the parchment lives…I'm going there this Friday."
Draco's playful expression slowly turned to concern as he stepped farther out onto the tower observing Hermione's determination. He knew he had two choices…he could help her or not which meant she got caught or she didn't. Either way she would go.
"What do you need me to do?"
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When Hermione reached the gates of Hogwarts she looked back at Draco standing there with…her, more specifically with Blaise on Polyjuice potion. Draco nodded reassuring her that he had this end covered completely. She took a deep breath and began nibbling on her bottom lips. Draco watched her turn and disapparate from the spot.
Hermione looked around her. She was standing just outside a small village called Cyprus Grove. Her eyes scanned the old ancient looking road ahead…it was obvious no car had ever driven this road and no car would fit anyway. She pulled the parchment Kuro had written the name down on. On the back Hermione had written the address.
Cyprus Grove Square.
It was the small village's main square. Hermione could see it up ahead. She slowly made her way through the small village. The sun was casting a luminous glow over the houses…all of which seemed so silent and empty. She looked at each house as she passed…it was a mass of Victorian style homes. Hermione would have thought she would see children playing in the park that sat in the center of the square…children riding bikes…people walking their dogs…some sign of human life, but there was only an eerie silence.
She cross half the square and stood on the walk looking up at a large dark teal Queen Anne style house. The turrets, towers and large bay windows made the house appear overly extravagant, yet the fence and yard coupled with the swing on the porch made it seem so homely. Tentatively she opened the black wrought iron fence and stepped in, jumping when the gate slammed shut, echoing in the silence. She made her way up the steps stopping on the porch wondering if she should be doing this. Kuro chained to a wall like an animal sent her forward. She wouldn't put up with the inhumane treatment of House Elves and she wouldn't put up with the inhumane treatment of Kuro either. No one deserved to be treated like that.
She rang the bell and waited.
When the older woman answered the door Hermione was still standing there fidgeting with her hands. The older woman took in the young woman's appearance. She seemed to be in a constant state of worry as was evident by the line of worry across her forehead and the bottom lip she was about to work into a bloody mess. She wore a school uniform, though her tie was hanging rather loosely and the top buttons of her white shirt was undone. This was a young woman attending a prestigious school that was obviously done with classes for the day. The older woman's dark eyes drifted down landing on the black robe that was slung in the strap of her bag. She knew who this was.
"I've been expecting you, Miss Granger."
The older woman had long white hair. She stepped aside to allow Hermione in. Hermione stepped over the threshold taking note of the slipper like shoes kept by the door. Hermione looked at them and then up at the older woman. She motioned elegantly toward the slippers and nodded her head as if she knew what Hermione was asking. Not taking her eyes off this fascinating older woman, Hermione slipped her shoes off and slipped the slippers on. She stood up straight.
"Is this you," she asked politely handing the parchment to the woman.
She recognized her grandson's handwriting immediately.
"Yes, I am Hanajima," she said with a polite nod of her head.
The older woman turned away and began to walk toward the back of the house.
"Follow me."
Hermione looked around unsure what to do, but followed the older woman anyway. Passing through the foyer of the house she noticed it the walls littered with pictures…some were of Kuro, she could tell and some were those she did not know…various family members she had never seen. She led Hermione into a rather warm kitchen that smelled like the kitchen of any grandmother…it made Hermione suddenly miss her grandmother that died before Hermione entered Hogwarts. Hanajima motioned toward a chair and Hermione politely took it, fidgeting with her hands in her lap. Hanajima turned placing a cup of tea and a small empty plate before her and proceeded to pile the table with various dishes of food.
Hanajima smiled at Hermione's wide eyes.
"Will you not miss dinner at that wizarding school you attend?"
Hermione looked up wide-eyed. This woman seemed to know everything about her. She nodded her head. It was still hours before dinner, but Hermione had no way of knowing for certain she would be back in time.
"Th…thank you, Miss Monogatari."
"You may call me Hanajima," the older woman said tucking into her own seat across from Hermione.
Hermione watched the older woman pick up her chopsticks and begin picking food from the various dishes. Hanajima looked over at Hermione smiling knowingly before taking the time to teach Hermione how to use them. She was pleased by what a fast learner this young woman was.
"You are here about my grandson," Hanajima said after a considerably long silence.
Hermione looked up from her plate.
"Kuro is your grandson," she asked.
The older woman nodded her head with a smile. Hermione could tell that even though this older woman would never admit it out loud that Kuro was the one that pulled her heartstrings. Oh she loved all her grandchildren equally, but it was Kuro that she was the most sympathetic toward. With the kind older woman and the food Hermione began to feel more comfortable.
"I've been doing some reading on the Monogatari family," Hermione said before taking a bite of food.
The older woman allowed her to finish chewing before continuing.
"Is it true the family is royalty?"
"Yes," Hanajimi said. "But only those born with the curse."
Hermione stopped eating and looked up.
"Curse? You mean the vampires?"
Hanajima wiped her mouth with a napkin and smiled bitter sweetly. It was up to her to educate the poor ignorant girl as to what they really were.
"Yes and no," she said. "It all started with Rui, you know. The current King of…well, of what you call 'Darkland."
Hermione nodded her head remembering reading that he was the first. Hanajima stood up, walked over to what looked like a craft table and picked up a photo book. She lay it on the table by Hermione, taking a seat and flipping the page to a specific picture. She pointed at the young man with the well defined cheekbones and nose. His eyes seemed haunted and so dark and full of something Hermione couldn't quite put her finger on. His hair was long and tied back in a way she had often dreamt and always saw Kuro's hair. This young man's hair was simply longer. Hermione realized this was Rui.
"He was a samurai off to battle. He had left his wife at home. Orchid was her name. Anyway…no one knows the whole truth only that it was a curse placed upon him for his own betrayal."
"Curse," Hermione asked still more curious.
Hanajima nodded.
"Yes, curse."
They were done eating and Hanajima began to clear the table. Hermione stood up to help, listening to Hanajima talk as she did.
"The curse was just that…a curse. Every third generation one is born…one child bears the curse. It is always a first born and one never knows until about the age of fifteen when symptoms slowly start to appear."
Hermione was beyond curious.
"Symptoms?"
"Yes. For instance when Kuro was about fifteen he began to seemingly grow ill during the days he spent outside in the sun. He suddenly broke out in a rash when he ate something that had garlic…his hamburgers became rarer and rarer. His immortality began for him at the age of twenty-five. He will no longer age. When the symptoms began to show Kuro was taken from his home and sent to live at the Monogatari Estate in 'Darkland' because bearing the curse means bearing the responsibility of 'Darkland.' Rui chose him as the Crown Prince…the next King."
Hermione's mind swam with a myriad thoughts and worries. It was progressive and hidden within each one as children like a bomb waiting to go off. They would possibly be viewed negatively by the true vampires…so how did they still hold the throne?
"Hananjima? Do the vampires of Darkland not know this? I read there is a bitter war…"
She laughed.
"Silly girl! They are all vampires…hungry for power. The Monogatari simply have the power…the strength and there are always those who wish to take it away, but Rui would never allow that. He will only allow the Monogatari family to abdicate the throne once the curse is gone. So, to answer your question…no, the majority do not know anything beyond the fact that the royal family are different and that scares them."
Vampires…the walking undead. Hermione looked up realizing why Kuro felt so warm…why he had a heartbeat…he was not the walking undead…he was very much alive like any person and deserved freedom just as anyone else did. He was a man cursed…a man fighting the darkness that came with that curse.
"There are others then," Hermione asked curious as to who was part of this cursed family.
Hanajimi smiled, sat back down, and turned a few pages of the photo album. She pointed at another picture as Hermione sat down. This picture was of a young man with similarly defined cheekbones as Rui. His nose looked as if it had been broken at some point, but it did not deter from his good looks. He held a knowing sort of smirk on his face and his hair naturally the black of most of his family was dyed such a color that it appeared a brownish orange. His eyes, like Rui's were so dark and haunted. Hermione could look at that picture and see pain.
"This one is Ayame. Rui was married as you know, but after the curse was placed on the family Ayame was the first to chuck it all and marry."
Hermione brightened slightly.
"That is wonderful," she exclaimed.
Hanajima shook her head.
"Rui advised against it, but Ayame was always so willful and obstinate. He didn't marry another vampire…he didn't marry a witch. He married an ordinary young woman and watched her grow old and die. Now he watches his grand-daughter from a distance…hiding in shadows just to catch a glimpse. His daughter nor his grand-daughter know anything about the curse. As far as they know he died when his daughter was a small child."
Hermione's face fell. This was the life of the cursed. Hermione blinked tears away as she noticed another picture. Hanajima pointed at it. It was a beautiful young woman with long black hair and the facial features of any model.
"She's beautiful," Hermione said.
"That is Ari. The only female born with the curse. You would never know it…she works herself silly on fashion design changing her name with the centuries…claiming to be the daughter of the previous owner."
Hanajima turned the page and pointed at one last picture. This one looked a bit different. His black hair fell across his forehead and he wore black rimmed glasses that seemed to suit him quite well. A slight smirk similar to Ayame's graced his lips as he looked up from a book he had in hand.
"That is Chi…his mother was Taiwanese. When the symptoms of his curse began to show he threw himself into the books. That is where he lives his life inside books where he can be someone else…someone not cursed. He is always at Kuro's side guiding him in the ways of the Crown Prince by Rui's command."
Hermione thought she would cry any minute. They were cursed and forced and into this dark lonliness. She noticed they all had the same thing in common…each picture…each picture held the same haunted eyes.
"Hanajima, what…what does ichi-go ichi-e mean?"
Hanajima blinked thinking how that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Did my grandson say this to you," she asked.
Hermione nodded. Hanajima laughed slightly.
"Typically it is used in reference to tea ceremonies and how each tea meeting is unique. The words can be translated to 'one chance in a lifetime."
Hermione sat up straighter. The fact of the curse, of Kuro being caged in Malfoy Manor…how his family needs him…it was written on Hanajima's face and the meaning of those words she had heard from Kuro's mouth more than once.
"I'm sorry, Hanajima…I must be going now…something I must do!"
Hermione bolted from the kitchen, the smiling older woman following. Hanajima opened the door and took note of the setting sun.
"Hurry, child. Come to see me again, but be sure you visit while the sun is still high."
Hermione didn't stop to ask or take the time to wonder. She simply took the grandmotherly advice and ran across the square desperate to get to the edge of Cyrpus Grove before the town awoken...before Kuro took his last breath
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"K-Kuro?"
Her voice was soft. Hermione stepped farther into the dungeon moving toward the cell she knew he was being held in. She stopped at the bars, wrapping her hands around them. He lay on the ground still chained to the wall. How could Lucius do this? How was this keeping her safe? Kuro's aim was not to hurt her. It was animalistic…evil even. She had to get him out of there.
"Kuro," she said again.
The times she had dreamt him…the times she had seen him, his hair was tied back reminiscent of the samurai...reminiscent of Rui. Now it hung loosely obscuring his face from view. At his name, he looked up at her through the curtain of hair that hung down.
"You have to get out of here," she urged him.
She barely heard him when he whispered "too weak."
Hermione stared at him and blinked. This was not the Kuro she was accustomed to seeing. Exasperated she looked over the bars and knew Lucius wouldn't use a muggle lock on them. She began to frantically work out what wards were used and systematically began to break each one. Kuro watched through his hair fascinated by the strength and determination this young woman had.
She couldn't let him die like a caged animal. He had done her no wrong. The moment the last ward was down Hermione pushed through the bars and stopped a couple feet from Kuro, dropping to her knees to look at him. She peered toward the window realizing how torturous the days must have been…to avoid the daylight that now would kill him. The sun was still shining there though…casting her in the sunlight. He looked at her like she was something so entirely out of his reach. She knew he was weak…his strength typically much more than any mortal man was diminished to something feeble and nearly nonexistent and she knew why.
She licked her lips nervously. There were other questions she should have asked Hanajima.
"I-if you bite me…will I turn into…into a vampire?"
He heard her voice crack. He lifted his head up to better look at her bathed in the sunlight.
"No," he said hoarsely. "It would take something…more to change you."
"You are going to die if you stay here," Hermione said. "You need blood. You can use me…bite me."
He looked at her curiously…his mind recalling his words to Lucius about what he was willing to sacrifice. Was this her sacrifice? He looked at her bathed in the slowly dying sunlight.
"No," he said.
"Yes," she pleaded scooting closer to him, out of the sunlight and into the darkness.
"I am offering you my blood, Kuro. Take it…give yourself the strength you need to leave." She paused looking into his dark eyes. "Don't die," she whispered.
He stared back at her…his black hair caressing his face with his movements. They were both on the ground. The chains that bound his hands to the wall rattled as he reached out his hands and grabbed her ankles pulling her over to him. She shrieked at the sudden movement and realization that even weak he was stronger than her. He pulled her so that a leg was on either side of him…his hands moved from her ankle, one resting on her hip…the other on her knee.
Hermione hadn't been this close to him since the ball and even then it didn't seem this intimate…not until his lips were on her wrist anyway. Her breath quickened as his eyes lingered on her loosely tied tie…reaching out he quickly untied it startling her when he pulled it off her. He tossed it to the side and then hungrily grabbed her waist to pull her even closer. The top few buttons of her shirt were already unbuttoned. Kuro placed his hand on the bare skin of her chest visible through the opening and gently pushed the shirt back and toward her shoulder, exposing much of the crook of her neck.
He felt her shiver slightly and looked up at her.
"I don't have to do this…I can only too easily die."
She looked at him wide-eyed and shook her head.
"No, you will do this. Will it hurt?"
"I will do everything in my power to make it as painless as possible."
His voice sounded rough…hungry. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. Her hands reached up and rested on his shoulder…one hand moving back to nervously play with the end of his long hair lying on his neck.
"Do it," she whispered. "Save yourself."
Both arms wrapped around her waist pulling her closer…up onto his lap as his face dove down into the crook of her neck. She felt the slight graze of his teeth and sudden sharp pain shoot through her, but was quickly distracted by the feel of one of his arms around her and his other hand which had moved to slowly working its way up her leg…her knee…shifting her skirt up as he reached her thigh.
She moaned uncontrollably as her hands reached up fully into his hair, holding him there as if she did not wish for him to let her go. She didn't know at what point he stopped drinking her blood. His lips moved across her throat to the other side of her neck…the unbitten side. She felt his teeth just graze her as if teasing her that he would bite again. She gasped for air and he pushed her away suddenly.
"He will be back and you cannot be caught here."
He stood up. Hermione was amazed at how quickly his full strength was back. He reached down, taking Hermione's hand and helping her to her feet more gently than what she would have thought of him. He stepped toward the stone wall he was bound to. Hermione ran between him and the wall.
"You can't wait for the sun to set," she said desperate to make him understand he had to leave now.
She flicked her wand and an old cloak flew from her bag another flick and it was of normal size to fit him. He looked back at the sun shining through the window and back down at the young woman standing between him and the wall.
Hermione was amazed at how domineering he could appear while tethered to a wall. His eyes didn't leave her…lingering over her…making her feel exposed. He ripped the shackles from his wrists as if they were paper and smiled down at her. He tossed the cloak on and over his head and grabbed her hand running from the dungeons with her, grabbing her bag on the way out.
When they reached the gates of Malfoy Manor, he let go of her hand. Hermione looked nervous as she put her bag on her shoulder and pulled her wand out to clean herself of any evidence that a vampire had been there on her. The cloak was large enough that it covered him thoroughly protecting him from the light. Hermione suddenly rushed toward him, moving herself into the shadow the cloak created and kissed his cheek as she would any of her friends.
"Please," she said. "You are the Crown Prince and your family is looking to you to break this curse…I could tell. Don't disappoint everyone by dying."
He watched her back away with a slight smile and disapparate from the spot. If only she knew she was the key to that curse…the thing that could help them. He just wasn't sure how yet.
A breeze caught the ever ready…every prepared vampire off guard. It wept the hood of the cloak off his head exposing him to the slowly dying sun.
He stood there in its bright glow…shocked…feeling the warmth of the sun…the warmth he hadn't felt since he was a young teenager.
A/N: Don't forget to review! Oh yea…my LJ has a post of pics of Kuro's image if you are interested. Next Chapter: Why isn't Kuro dying in the sun? Does Hermione get caught? What in the world is Lucius doing to Hermione in that alcove?
The title of this chapter comes from a Gackt song called "Lust for Blood." In his 2005 Diablos concert performance he actually comes on the stage in a coffin during this song…lol. Anyway…you should look it up. I have the lyrics here if you are interested. As he is a J-rocker I put the translated lyrics here:
My uncertain soul melts entirely into oblivion
While I'm puzzled by the visible scars, I stretch out my hand
In a bright white field of vision, at the end, time is uncontrollable
The tears running off won't come back, the promise from that day
No one could stop them, the tears only we could forgive at our parting
The past promise we made to stop the mistakes from repeating over again
I was unfulfilled by the constantly overflowing passions
If only just for a little while..., I want to return to human form
If you're going to erase the pains in my heart, then go right ahead and kill me
Don't look so lonely, at least at the end I want you to smile
Just for you
Take another breath
You can't find what's important
Destroy all of the peace
Make the same mistake over again
No one could stop them, the tears only we could forgive at our parting
The past promise we made to stop the mistakes from repeating over again