A/N: This chapter is shorter than the others but I didn't want to attach it onto another chapter, since then it would be too long. Still, this chapter came out a lot faster mostly because it was already done before I posted Chapter 6. :)

Questions and Concerns: Someone asked who Kin's brother - Kano - is. Sorry, that probably wasn't very clear, but Kano's reincarnation is actually Ryoga. Karma was in play there: Kano abandoned Kin, so his reincarnation is the forgotten foster child of the Echizen's, who is struggling in society. There's no more mention of Ryoga other than that one sentence, though.

Special Thanks: To all reviewers, to all loyal reviewers (the ones who review every chapter), and my beta: Asami-chan. Thanks again for your hard work. (By the way, I love Rudyard Kipling, but my favorite poet is still Emily Dickinson!)

Warnings: Vampirism, BL

Pairings: Thrill, Endurance, Golden, Imperial

Chapter 7

"There are nights when the wolves are silent

and only the moon howls."

-George Carlin

Kin stared up at it and even with the shadows playing across his face, the clear joy was easily discernible. The boy was so easy to please; it always made Syuusuke smile at him, looking almost earnest.

The house was small and had it been any other, it would have seemed unimpressive. The round walls were made of the usual components: wood, mud and rocks, lined with the bones and furs of animals. The ceiling came to a pointed top, made of dried leaves and sticks held together by leather bands. The door was a simple flap of animal skin and more than likely, the floor was of dirt. Compared to Kin's measly shelter, however, the structure could be deemed a palace.

"This is the place?" Kin asked, turning to the other with a look of undisguised cheer.

Syuusuke nodded, running his hand through the dark, unkempt locks sitting atop Kin's pale head. The boy was a rarity amongst the villagers; skin as pale as powder and eyes as gold as the sun. It was easy to figure out why the nearby villagers detested him so; shoving on him the title of demon in fear of his beauty.

Kin laughed, walking a few steps ahead but not daring to go inside the small house - not yet. He wanted to make it all the more special, wanted everything to be perfect and new for him. He turned back around to face the fair-haired boy, a broad grin on his face.

"It's beautiful, Syuusuke," he commented. His lover stepped forward to trap him in his arms. He leaned forward to pillow his head on Kin's collarbone, a move that was quickly becoming habit for Syuusuke.

"It won't be long now, love," Syuusuke murmured, pressing a chaste kiss to the side of Kin's neck. "After sunset, remember to come straight here and don't eat anything. Kunimitsu and the others are already getting everything ready."

Kin laughed happily, throwing his arms around Syuusuke's waist. "Yes, don't worry, I'll come straight here! After I'm Turned, we're leaving this place, right?" Syuusuke nodded and Kin half-turned his head to regard their surroundings with a reminiscent look.

He had been in this place all his life. Every bitter memory, every sweet one; it took place in this forest and its surrounding areas. The passage of time had been so cruel to him, had taken so many things away, had put him through such hell. But now- now! Now he would be stronger, capable of protecting himself, capable of protecting the ones he loved. Best of all, he was getting away from this place, going with people who loved him.

It had taken years and it had been a bitter struggle all the way up to this point, but finally...he had a family.

Ryoma pulled the can of ponta out of the fridge, opening it with the subconscious actions of long practice. His eyes moved to gaze out the window, where the sunlight alighted upon the empty front yard. The house was quiet; the only permeable sound was Karupin's light footsteps across the floor.

His mother and cousin were out shopping and his father was currently tending the temple bell. As far as his recent Sundays had gone, this one looked to be both quiet and unoccupied.

His eyes lowered to his can of soda as his mind went elsewhere. The last dream had been vivid and despite the obvious joy in the scene, Ryoma could not shake the feeling of anxiety and terror. Something about the scene strained at his mind, like some prequel to a terrible crime.

Ryoma bit the rim of the can in thought. He had never given it much thought before, having assumed his dreams were merely symbolic, an allusion to his present situation. The appearance of the other Regulars in it had made him believe his imagination was just using current, real people as characters in his dreams. Last night, however, when Kaidoh had called him by the name of the boy in his dreams, he knew there had to be something else.

Reincarnation was not an idea he had considered but now it beat at the front of his mind like a war drum. If he really was the reincarnation of 'Kin', what did that mean to the other Regulars? They had all known the boy - according to his dreams - and had even told him what they were.

Ryoma set his can down on the counter, still not having taken a single sip. He glared at it as if it were to blame for the sudden mental turmoil. His most recent dream of Kin had clearly depicted what the future should have been; Kin was to be turned into a vampire. But if he had been Turned, then Ryoma wouldn't be here right now. Something had happened to Kin, that was obvious.

But what?

And wasn't that just the million-dollar question? What had made him afraid of his own friends, of Syuusuke, but not of Hyoutei? What were the dreams trying to tell him? What had made Kaidoh act as he did?

Ryoma, for all his competitiveness, was not someone who actively went after something. He was content to let life flow on, knowing he could deal with any hurdle that came by when it did; never did he chase after a hurdle to be crossed. Life would move on, as always, and he had no intention of quickening the pace when it was set at such a leisurely flow.

But could he do that now? Would the situation get worse, fostering like some malignant disease until it was too late to be healed?

Ryoma sighed minutely, glancing out the window as his hand raised to let him sip from the semi-cold can of grape soda.

Near the front gate, Momo caught his eyes with a friendly smile and a 'come-here' wave.

"What's with you people and parks?"

Ryoma could enjoy the outdoors, sure, but he was more suited to ones with tennis courts. Somehow, it was like every time he went out with a vampire alone, they took him to some secluded part of the park. Worst of all, though, was that it was always a park without tennis courts.

Momo laughed, ruffling his hair after having swiped the hat off his head. The freshman glared at him, tugging his cap back on as if daring the other to try it again. Momo was under the impression the kid would actually bite his hand if he dared near his head with the appendage.

"Maybe we're trying to tell you something?" Momo offered, stopping in front of the park's pond. It was near the time the sun would set, if the reddish and purple hues in the sky were any indication; the park was currently empty of other people except them. Ryoma hoped Momo would treat him to dinner for keeping him out this late.

Ryoma snorted, sitting down on the bench placed before the pond. "I don't think I need any more fresh air, Momo-senpai," the freshman refuted, eyes peering past the other boy to the rays of light reflecting off the water.

"You're such a cheeky brat."

Ryoma ignored him.

Momo stared off into the distance for a bit with an uncharacteristic expression of thought on his face. Ryoma stared at him, waiting somewhat impatiently for the junior to say what he had to say. The chances of Momo actually treating him to dinner were slim so he opted to just go home so he could eat some of Nanako's and his mother's delicious home cooking. The quicker Momo spit it out, the better.

"Hey, about Fuji-senpai..." Momo started abruptly, trailing off just as quickly. He didn't turn to meet the younger boy's stare but Ryoma was under the impression that Momo's attention was entirely fixated on him. Ryoma remained quiet, waiting for the other to continue; he felt that somehow, this conversation was going to be another trial.

Momo scratched the back of his neck; it was a bad habit of his that he seemed incapable of getting rid of. He hated broaching topics like this but he had foolishly left the entire thing in Kaoru's hands; now looked what had happened. Kaoru always let his dislikes be known - he was too pure, too honest to carry out the task. Now it was all up to him and he had to be careful he wasn't caught.

Oh, but there were complications. There were always complications. He had not been as sure as Kaoru, that's why he had hesitated to act. As Echizen Ryoma's best friend, he came to know the boy a lot more personally than the others; much like Syuuichirou and Kunimitsu, or Eiji and Syuusuke. The Regulars were all close friends, undoubtedly, but there was a special relationship between best friends.

Echizen Ryoma was different. Momo understood this fact, maybe even moreso than the others. Momo knew he was a different boy ever since he stepped onto that court with his sprained ankle to face off against the antisocial brat. A soul is immortal perhaps, but it is the personality that shapes the person: an extraordinary combination of experiences, hopes, desires, weaknesses.

Echizen Ryoma had Kin's soul, but he was not Kin.

"Do you love him?" Momo asked, forcing his voice to remain level. Ryoma would only answer direct questions; beating around the bush annoyed the freshman so Momo knew to ask questions as straight-forward as possible.

There was a pause in Ryoma's answer, as if he was wondering if Momo had really asked that. How does one answer that? Ryoma thought such emotions of 'love' were clearly implied when one was dating another person for such a long time as he and Syuusuke were apparently going out. Their relationship was at least five months old (he wasn't actually keeping track, but he bet the tensai was).

Ryoma kept his eyes on the junior, calculating. He didn't know what Mom was trying to get at, but he had a feeling that his answer to the question would determine the course of action.

Honesty was the best policy, right?

"Yes."

Momo knew the freshman wouldn't sugarcoat the answer, adding any unnecessary ruffles or flowery words, but still; the simple, concise answer was enough to make him chuckle. It seemed almost ridiculous, that so much would ride on that one little word. But it was just so like the boy, Momo couldn't claim to be any bit disappointed.

Momo turned around, finally, and stared down at the human with the familiar golden eyes.

Echizen's image flickered in his mind's eyes, momentarily displaced by a similar figure that had haunted him for centuries. Dark, tinted-green hair morphed into dark brown strands that made an unruly but lovely mane on a face defined by golden eyes and gentle features. Pale skin was marred only with the occasional scar and the thin figure was dressed in brown garb that had been recently mended.

Kin had been beautiful, but...

What was the use of beauty in a world like their's?

Momo sat down next to the other boy, watching as the sky gradually turned from fiery to violet red; sunsets had always been his favorite time of the day. People would usually think that someone like him would enjoy fresh starts, like sunrise, but Momo liked to watch the conclusions much more.

It was a source of comfort for him; that no matter what, the end was inevitable. Vampires boasted immortality but Momo often wondered if that was indeed correct; it was entirely possible that their life spans were just incredibly long.

"Children," Momo began, but paused as he thought over what he was going to say.

Ryoma blinked at the sudden topic change. "...I think it will be awhile before Fuji-senpai and I consider children, Momo-senpai," he replied blandly, "Though I think he wants to adopt."

Momo frowned at him. "That's not what I meant, not at all." Inwardly, he tried to imagine a child with the combined characteristics of both Echizen and Syuusuke and couldn't help the shudder that ran down his spine. The concept was frightening; a being with both of their combined traits...the world would not survive.

"What I mean is... do you notice how children break things?" Momo said. Ryoma looked at him with a perpetually bored expression, though even he could not fully hide the confusion behind the look. It was like Momo was all over the place in this conversation; what the hell was he getting at?

"Children sometimes hurt themselves to learn, right? The fire is hot; some touch it to see if it will burn. It's all part of growing up, of maturing from an experience," Momo stated, staring down at his hands contemplatively. "Then children will hurt others to learn as well. To call someone a name, how will they react? What happens when I do this? Or that? Am I capable of doing this? Can I hurt something? Can I kill something?"

Ryoma frowned, giving his senpai a strange look. "I don't think I ever killed something to just to see if I could, Momo-senpai." The dragonfly in his dreams didn't count, because that wasn't him. It wasn't.

Momo nodded, but shrugged. "There are times when people do, Echizen. Like when kids torture and kill a puppy, just because they like the feel of power they have when they do." Momo ran his hand through his hair, violet eyes glittering almost angrily. "When people become so powerful that they lose the ability to empathize with those not on their level - that is when the cruelest of deeds are carried out."

Ryoma had no reply to that.

"But you know," Momo said, almost wistfully, "People change. They mature and begin to realize their wrongs. They begin to appreciate things a little more than they used to.

"They start to repent."

There were no tears in his eyes or hitches in his breath, but Ryoma thought Momo nearly cried then.

Ryoma bounced the tennis ball on his racket, not giving it much attention as his eyes traveled over the school tennis courts. Around him buzzed the other first years, more specifically the freshman trio that usually stalked him, gossiping over the latest turnout.

"It's strange, isn't it, Ryoma-kun?" Kachirou piped up next to him, fidgeting only slightly. Ryoma grunted but it was not a clear indication if he agreed of disagreed. It was not like he needed his opinion to be known; Horio was more than enough opinion for all of them.

"You don't think they're skipping practice, do you?" Horio exclaimed. He had mellowed out when compared to his junior high days but the boy was just naturally loud. Ryoma was just glad the uni-browed male didn't need to screech everything now; that had been particularly annoying during their third year in junior high, when puberty had set in and the notes would become skewed and even more piercing.

Katsuo immediately shook his head to reject Horio's question. "Not them! Especially Kaidoh-senpai!" he remarked. Ryoma wholly agreed; the day Kaidoh willingly skipped practice was the day of the Apocalypse.

"But that both Kaidoh-senpai and Inui-senpai are absent...together..." Kachirou trailed off with a worried frown. "You don't think anything happened to them, do you?"

Whatever reply was going to be made was cut off by an authoritative yell. "Freshman, to Court D! Non-regulars, to Courts B and C! Regulars, to Court A!"

The freshman bid their goodbyes to Ryoma, jogging over to their assigned court as Ryoma meandered on over to his. The other Regulars were already there - notably lacking two certain figures. There was a nervous energy in the air and Ryoma immediately recognized that he was the only one among them who didn't know something. It was obvious in their stances and the way their eyes glanced at him every now and then.

Momo stood. To him, it seemed as if the conversation had ended and he had reached a suitable conclusion. Ryoma stood as well, tugging the brim of his hat down to hide his eyes.

"Ne, Momo-senpai?"

"Hm?"

"Who's Kin?"

There was a pause in movement, but other than that, nothing. Momo glanced at him, smiling, and didn't look upset at all by the question. The reaction itself was not something Ryoma had expected; he wanted at least a stuttered exclamation of surprise from the junior.

"Did Kaidoh say something?" Momo asked, but continued on before Ryoma could answer, "Don't worry about it. It's not important anymore."

Ryoma didn't know why, but he felt that it was.

"We're going up against Hyoutei soon, so I think practice is going to get harder again."

Ryoma started, looking up into Fuji's smiling face. He didn't realize the other boy had approached him and much to his chagrin, his boyfriend seemed amused about that. Fuji cocked his head to the side, lightly trailing his fingers down Ryoma's arm.

"Fuji-senpai-"

"Syuusuke."

Ryoma paused to glare at him, before continuing on obstinately. "Fuji-senpai, where's Kaidoh-senpai and Inui-senpai?"

Fuji's smile brightened, just a little bit, and Ryoma recognized it for what it was: something had gone wrong. Something had happened - more than likely dealing with vampires - and now they were trying to cover it up. Warning signals went off in his head and Ryoma fully realized that he really did care about his friends; the thought of any of them in danger or dead was enough to make him choke.

"Did something happen?" The question came out nearly monotone but Fuji could hear the underlying sense of alarm in his voice.

Fuji smiled in what he must have thought was a comforting way. "No, they just decided to take a break from school for a bit. Don't worry, Ryoma; everything is fine."

And that was how Ryoma knew it wasn't.

END...Chapter 7.

A/N: This was a plot development chapter more than anything else, though I like writing about Momo - he's much easier to work with than Kaidoh. I hope I didn't give away too much... Anyway, please continue reading. Reviews are appreciated, so please leave one!