Selena gave a small squeak of fright as she was roughly pushed up against the side of the school. Pinning her there, Ash narrowed his hazel eyes. "I know who you are! But . . . I can barely believe it . . ."

Frowning, she shook her head as she tried to push him back. 'Everyone knows who I am. I don't understand why he has to confront me if he knows.'

However, he wouldn't budge. "I thought you were dead . . . And all those horrible things I said . . . I felt so guilty . . ."

He ran one of his hands through his light brown hair as he took a step back from her. "I – I . . . I don't know why I was so mean to you . . ." He murmured. "But, I regret it even to this day, Hikari . . ."

She tilted her head curiously, unsure whether or not to take off running. But . . . why would he call her Hikari?

The name sounded awfully familiar, though . . .

"Well," He continued, looking down at his shoes. "You weren't at school. So, the next day Jude and I went to your house – trying to prank you."

His expression became slightly more serious than it already was. "I know it was wrong . . . But . . . I just don't know!"

He cried in frustration, running a hand through his hair several times. She suspected it was a nervous habit of his. Kicking the dirt with the toe of his shoe, he sighed and continued. "S- So . . . we followed the path along to the house . . . and the door was open . . . just barely, but it was open . . . a- and I pushed it open . . ."

He gave a sharp intake of breath as his lower lip trembled slightly. "A- and . . ."

He took a deep breath, as if to keep him from crying, and slowly let it out. "I felt so guilty ever since . . . And I thought that the last thing I ever said to you was a nasty remark such as that . . . And . . . I'm sorry . . . could you ever forgive me?"

Sighing, Selena hugged him. She really didn't remember much other than what happened to her parents and a few other minor details. She didn't know who he had been to her, or who she had been. But the past was the past. And, she would do well to forget it as best as she could.

"I'm sorry . . ." He mumbled again, hugging her back.

After a few moments, she pulled back. Smiling, she patted him on the head gently before walking away. He gave no response, and she really didn't mind.

*** Couple minutes later

"How was school?" Konoka inquired, picking her up.

Selena smiled, shrugging her shoulders. Konoka couldn't exactly understand what she signed ninety-nine percent of the time. So, she was pretty much unsure how to communicate without paper. And, she was currently being held . . . she really didn't feel like pulling things out of her bag.

"Well," The other girl continued. "Setsuna's training at the moment. So, you're currently left with me. Wanna go to the park? I can swing you!"

The girl smiled enthusiastically. "We can slide together, play on the seesaw, spin you on the merry-go-round, and play in the sand . . ."

Selena sighed as the girl continued on. Giving a small smile, she nodded. It actually would be nice to play at a park . . . Maybe she could catch a butterfly! Or, maybe even a ladybug!

She once found one without spots . . . Only one, though.

Giving a small squeal of joy, the heiress nearly took off running towards where Selena assumed the park was.

It didn't take long to get there – only about two minutes, in fact.

Setting her on the ground, Konoka motioned over at the park. "Go ahead! I'll follow you to whichever one you want to play on!"

Suppressing a laugh, Selena glanced around. There really wasn't much to choose from. There was a wobbly looking slide, a few creaky swings, and a rusty seesaw.

However, a park was a park!

Motioning towards the swings, she looked up at the heiress questionably. "No problem!" The girl replied. "I can push you if you want!"

Giving a nervous laugh, Selena nodded. 'She seems just a bit too eager to please a child . . .'

Picking her up and setting her on the swing, Konoka grinned as she began to push her. "Now just sit there and have fun~!"

Konoka

Humming as she pushed Selena, Konoka couldn't help but smile. She loved children! She frowned slightly, however. She felt as if she were being just a bit too clingy . . .

Her frown vanished and was replaced with a smirk.

Nah.

How can one be too clingy about children?

"Having fun there?" A voice hummed suddenly, causing her to jump. Glancing behind her, she smiled as she saw a familiar pair of blue eyes and blonde hair. "Hey, Pyro!" She greeted happily. "And, yea. I feel a bit happier today for some reason. Have you met Selena?"

The vampire grinned, his gaze flickering over to the child who was now peering behind her curiously. "Briefly."

His grin broadened slightly. "I was just walking by, and I couldn't help but notice you were here."

She shrugged. "It's been what – three, four days?"

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That sounds about right."

He glanced back at Selena, who was still looking up at him curiously from the swing. "Please, allow me."

Stepping to the side, she slowed him a chance to push Selena on the swing. A few moments of silence passed – if you don't count the 'creak', 'creak', 'creak' of the swing – between the two of them.

"I didn't find you on accident." He murmured, so low she nearly missed it. "I didn't just happen to walk by."

She glanced at him curiously. "Did you want to talk or something?"

'Creak', 'Creak', 'Creak'

"Yes."

" . . . Well, what about? If it's about the whole 'You being a vampire' thing, I really don't mind. I have a robot, a vampire, a ghost, a perverted manga-writer, a possible Martian, a mercenary, and who knows what else as friends! My teacher is a nine-and-a-half year-old Wizard with a college degree, and my girlfriend's a half-demon swordsman. I think that pretty much covers whether or not I'd accept you for who you are."

He gave a short, bark-like laugh. "No, it's not about that. I actually came to apologize."

He glanced at her. "You see . . . I kind of threatened Setsuna a few weeks back. And in the process, I threatened you."

Konoka frowned, but she said nothing.

"And . . ." He hesitated. "I may have used your sister to get to you and her. But, if you call your father now, he'll tell you that's she's just about better. In fact, by tonight, she should be fully healed."

"You . . ." Konoka couldn't help but feel just a bit shocked. "You're the one who made my sister sick?! Why?!"

"I wanted to get to you . . . to hurt you." He murmured, staring at his shoes. He had stopped swinging Selena, and the child was currently glancing between the two of them. "I was selfish to even consider such a thing, and I understand if you can't forgive me. But, hear me out – please."

"Fine," She responded, pursing her lips.

"Thank you." He responded. "You already know my story – my wife was taken from me. However, I didn't tell you that I could see her in Setsuna. Your swordsman had the same hazel eyes and the same spirit about her. That and her blood basically smelled the same. I wanted her to be mine once more – but I was going about it the wrong way. And I didn't even stop to consider her feelings about the issue . . . nor yours. But, I did know that she cared deeply for you."

Konoka blushed slightly, glancing away.

"And that was leverage against her. I thought that if I threatened her by threatening you, she would be mine once again. And, I now know how selfish that was for me to do. And I'm sorry. In my current form, I can't perform powerful spells such as I did to sicken your dear sister. So, I asked my niece for a bit of help. Being pretty much the only family member she has left, she did. She lent me a bit of her power, and you know the rest. But, I've let the past go. I will always love Soren, but life is here and now – and it goes on. I have come to apologize, because I have wronged you. You trusted me, and I continuously wronged you. Could you ever forgive me?"

Konoka bit her bottom lip. " . . . I don't know."

He bowed to her as a knight would. "And I understand"

He straightened. "I have also wronged your swordsman. Wronging both her and the one she loves is a horrible mistake to make – yet I did. I have live over five hundred years – give-or-take. And I have made up my mind. I wish to give her the chance to end my life for the mistakes I have previously made – for I am no longer fit to be a knight with such dishonorable deeds to my name. And how can one live on without the title he was and is?"

Konoka stared at him for a moment. "You're . . . you're willing to die just because you wronged someone?"

He nodded, not a trace a fear flickering across his serious expression.

His gaze flickered downward, and he looked mildly shocked. "You want me to hold you?"

Glancing down as well, she stifled a laugh. Selena was currently tugging on his coat with one hand while reaching for him with the other.

"If you insist, milady . . ." He trailed off, picking the girl up. Smiling, Selena tapped his nose with a giggle – causing him to smile. Konoka giggled as well, shaking her head at the girl's silliness. "Seeing how Selena likes you well enough, I suppose I can forgive you . . . She's usually so shy around people she doesn't know that well. So, I guess that means you're trustworthy enough."

Setsuna

Sighing, Setsuna pushed open the door to her dorm. Due to the fact that it was unlocked, she assumed that Konoka, Asuna, or Mana was there. Hoping with all her heart that the person inside had picking up Selena, she kicked the door shut behind her.

Today had been just a bit more satisfying than the last couple training session. This was mainly due to the fact that she had managed to outwit Chachamaru for once – winning at least one two to three pretty good hits on the robot. And did she mention that she hadn't been used as a snack today? Even though she had lost, Eva had just sent her off without a second glance.

So she had left as fast as she could – just to avoid the chance of the vampire calling her back.

"Selena," She called out tiredly. "I'm home!"

The 'Pitter-patter' of feet instantly responded to her greeting, and she wasn't that surprised when the seven-year-old rounded the corner quickly. Grinning, Selena hugged her leg quickly before turning right back around and running back around the corner just as hurriedly.

Weird.

Curiously, Setsuna followed the girl. She was instantly greeted with the sight of him sitting there, holding one of the stuffed bears she had gotten for Selena. He smiled at the young girl – seemingly make the bear walk past the stuffed goat in her hand. "You know, Mr. Goat, I may just eat all of the berries myself!" He said in a deep, growling voice – causing Selena to giggle.

"Y- You!" the swordsman stated, shocked. "How did you get in here?! I got a new lock!"

Looking up, he sighed. "You know, it's like you forget I can do magic. But, your girlfriend actually let me in this time."

"She- She . . . let you in?" Setsuna questioned, confused. "But . . ."

"Pyro Apologized." Konoka stated, causing the swordsman to jump. Glancing over at the little kitchen, she noticed Konoka standing by the stove. "Would anyone want a cookie? They just cooled off enough to eat! And, I'm sorry I let him in without telling you first. I hope you don't mind . . ."

Glaring at 'Pyro', she mumbled. "That actually would have been nice to know . . ."

He smiled at Konoka. "I actually wouldn't mind one."

Setting a plate of the freshly baked sweets on the table, Selena immediately jumped up and rushed to the table. The man stood as well, making his way to one of the chairs. "Arigato, Konoka."

Standing back from the other three people, Setsuna wondered what exactly to do next. Sitting down would be the polite thing. But, she her hand was currently slowly inching towards her sword cautiously.

"I'm not here to harm you or them." Pyro stated softly. "I've only come to apologize. Well, mainly."

"Mainly?" She hesitantly inquired.

Setting down the cookie he was eating, he didn't notice when Selena swiped it. "I have wronged you and the one you love."

She blushed at this.

"And I've come to allow you a chance to correct it." He continued. "End my life if it would ease your mind about me."

She blinked. "You want me to . . . to kill you?"

"Only if you wish to." He responded. "For, what is a knight if dishonorable deeds are amongst his name?"

Konoka shifted uncomfortably. 'You know, I just remembered I have to call someone . . ."

Standing up, the heiress quickly walked out the door – phone clutched in her hand.

Setsuna was silent for a moment.

Two.

Three.

Seven.

"I don't want to kill anyone." She finally responded. "Not even you."

He stared at her curiously. "You don't?"

She shook her head. "As tempting as it seems," Her hand inched towards her sword slightly. "I really don't see in wasting a life if one is truly sorry for their actions. But, I still don't know if I can forgive you just yet. You did threaten Konoka."

He bowed, a small smirk accompanying her relieved expression. "Thank you, Milady. And, I understand. I still haven't quite forgiven the one who took my wife from me all those years ago."

Setsuna blinked in confusion. She was about to inquire him about what he had just said, but her door burst open before she had time to. Twisting around, she stared in surprise at a flustered looking Evangeline. "K . . ." The vampire was breathing heavily, and took a moment to continue. "Koori . . . I . . . I can feel it . . . You need to leave – now."
"Koori . . .?" Setsuna muttered questionably.

Pyro frowned, looking rather perplexed. "Why?"

"Because," She exclaimed – finally catching her breath. "You may not be able to feel it, but I can. Your current form is fading – but that's not all."

Eva sounded panicked – even slightly fearful. But, not quite. "When's the last time you even tasted blood?"

Pyro shrugged. "I feel no need to feed, Eva. I can go months without a drop of blood in this form."

"That's the problem." She responded, her gaze flickering over to Selena. The vampire shifted so she stood directly in front of the younger girl. "You can't. Your original form is blood-starved. You're losing your grip on your current form – fast. If you don't feed soon, you'll practically go insane. And you of all people know what it's like to go up against a vampire who's lost their mind."

A moment of silence passed . . .

Suddenly, Pyro laughed. "Is this another one of you little pranks, Eva?" After a minute or two, his laughing died down to a chuckle. "Honestly, I'm sure I'd know if my magic was slipping."

He gave a little snort of amusement. "Blood-starved . . . Do I look blood-starved?"

Eva looked positively furious – especially for her. "That's just it, Koori! In your current form, everything is basically numbed to the point where you can feel it! That's why you have to be careful with this spell! You can easily forget to eat, drink, and even sleep!"

"I'm confused." The swordsman stated, interrupting the conversation. "Is his name 'Pyro' or 'Koori'?"

"Both," the smaller vampire responded immediately.

"It's Pyro." He stated, rolling his blue eyes. "Koori is just her nickname –"

He stopped short, becoming rigid. Eva acted instantly, pushing him into the kitchen. "Go!" She nearly snarled. "Get out of here. I can hold him off, but not for long. Not in his current state."

Konoka walked in, flipping her phone shut. "Yumi is feeling a lot better now, Setsuna!" she stated happily, beaming. However, her smile quickly fell as she glanced around the room. "Where's Pyro?"

Scooping up Selena – with a surprised squeak from the girl – she handed her to Konoka. "Run." She hissed. "I'll explain later – I hope."

Giving her a confused look, the heiress was about to ask her something – but she never got to.

A low, cold laugh that would make even Mana look slightly uneasy cut her off. A scraping noise – as if someone were picking themselves up – was heard, and Pyro – or who she assumed to be Pyro – slowly came into view. He looked to have grown at least two to three inches – causing his clothes to fit him a lot better. His hair was bleach blonde, and his eyes shifted from color to color. Red. Blue. Green. Purple. Silver.

"How touching." He mused, as a wild grin that showed pearly white fangs spread across his face. "An attempt to save the lives of those you love most."

His smile widened as he slowly walked towards them. "Too bad it won't work."

This wasn't the man that had just apologized to her. This wasn't who she had seen a handful of moments ago.

This man had a cruel and unforgiving aura about him, and his frigid voice was enough to draw even Asuna's attention from a slice of her favorite type of cake.

"Koori, Back off." Eva warned – her voice a low growl. "You're not yourself . . ."

Setsuna couldn't help but shiver as he laughed again. "Oh, but I am! I've never had a clearer mind than now."

His gaze flickered over to the swordsman, then Konoka – who was holding Selena. "You know," He pondered aloud. "It's been awhile since my last good meal. I'm feeling a little . . . what's the word . . . snacky."

Reacting immediately, Setsuna drew her sword. However, he was quicker than she. And, before she even had her sword halfway out of its sheath, he was in front of her – knocking her down with a sudden kick to the chest. The air was instantly knocked out of her, and she tumbled back. Good thing the couch was the couch was there to – oh.

Never-mind. She just barely missed it by a few inches.

So, instead, she found herself colliding with a coffee table. OW.

A couple of disorientated seconds passed, and she jumped back up, when . . .

A vampire half her size flew straight into her . . . knocking her back down once more.

"I told you I wouldn't be able to hold him off for long." Eva muttered crossly.

Pushing the girl off of her quickly, Setsuna scrambled to her feet . . . only to stop and freeze where she was immediately.

Pyro was currently holding Selena up by the back of her jacket with a grin that stated, 'I am currently insane – call back later'.

The young girl wriggled around in the air, trying to get out of his grip. Though, she had to keep one hand between the collar of her Jacket and her throat to keep from choking.

Konoka was currently sitting about seven to ten feet off, rubbing her head. Setsuna suspected the girl had hit the wall pretty hard.

"Catch me if you can." He laughed, leaping out of a window she had no idea had been open.

Whoo! One or two Chapters Left! N that states how Pyro is . . . well, Pyro . . . and his . . . Past . . . I think. And the ending! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this! I had a bit of fun writing the end and everything else . . . now? All I need to do is read through all my other chapters . . . and figure out who exactly Pyro is. (Yes, Even Authors forget about who their Characters are . . .)

Anyway, Night!

Angel981