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It rained blood that night. The sky was dark, darker than usual. No one was around to see the creature hunched over in the street. Blood trickled down it's back, wings, and head. It's mouth was blood stained; blood dripped from its fangs. It stopped to licks its lips before devouring more raw morsels. Anyone near would hear the heavy breathing, the hard chewing as if a lion was devouring its prey.

…

She didn't care that the sky was still dark and that people haven't even woke for work yet, she pushed open his bedroom door with brute force, causing it to hit the wall with a BANG. He nearly fell out of his bed. His eyes were barely open, but he could see her coming forward, wagging a piece of paper in her hand. He didn't even get the chance to rub his eyes before the paper was pressed against his nose.

"What is this?" she demanded.

He pushed back the paper. She glared at him. He took the paper out of her hand and skimmed over it. She stepped back when she saw the guilty look on his face. Her blood boiled. He tried grabbing her by the shoulder, but she backs away.

"Cagalli, I just picked it up," he said. "They hand them out everywhere now. I didn't get a chance to throw it away."

"Spare me, Athrun. Why else would you keep it? You're giving up aren't you?"

"No-"

"Then why must you have this?" A pause. "I'm not giving up. I'm going right now, and I'll find help in saving my brother."

"Cagalli don't. I'm not giving up. Everything's just hard, you know that, but you can't just go."

She was a step out of the door. He rushed after her and pulled her arm. Their eyes met when she turned around, and by the flames in hers, he let go.

"Cagalli, you can't go."

"Why not?"

"I said I was going to protect you, and I will. At least wait. We'll contact her. We'll keep contacting her from here, but don't go."

I've been staring at the ceiling all day-or so it seems. Round and round the fan goes. Round and round my head goes. Cagalli's been staying with me for over a month now. We contacted her father, and we have an unspoken understanding of the situation. My bills were piling up, so I had to start assisting my father. Everything seemed great. I'd go help father back at the office, then come back home to help Cagalli in her research.

Things between me and Cagalli were going great. She was smiling again-I was making her smile-and that warmed my heart. Her touch, her laugh, her soft hair, it all warmed my heart. But now my heart is cold. She's gone.

I came home last night to an empty apartment, ignored texts, except one: "I'm alright," she said. No answers. I look at my phone. I called 20 times since yesterday. I texted 30.

…

It's freezing in their cabin. Do they even have the fire lit? I've been sitting in this living room forever. It took that man forever to bring the old woman out of her room. I stare at her as she sips her tea, too slowly.

I slam my fist on the table. "Are you going to give me answers?" I say.

She stares at me for a moment and slowly the cup falls from her lips.

"What do you want to know?" she says.

What do I want to know? I want to know why it took months for me to even meet her. I want to know if she really has the answers.

"Do you really know how to save the curse one?"

"Of course I do," she smiles.

"But-"

She puts her hand up.

"You're sceptical, and I understand. I didn't answer you back for months, after you reached out to me for help. You said someone you loved was hit by the light and you needed answers. You said you'd do anything to save them...I haven't helped any."

I sit quietly, listening intently.

"But, before I answer you, answer me. Who is this person you are trying to save?"

My heart dropped and a lump formed in my throat. "My brother," I say.

She pauses painfully long. Her eyes watch me, and I can't tell what she's thinking.

"There are a few ways to save the Cursed One," she says. "But, first, I'll tell you how I know."

I lean forward.

"You heard of the stories, I suppose. The witch cursing this land because her seven sons died in the war. But no one knows of her daughter."

"She had a daughter?" I interrupt.

"Yes my great great great grandmother. People only talk about the sons because that's what sparked her rage, but they hung her in front of her daughter. And a rage formed inside of her. The daughter knew her mother's curse and made sure it reigned. She did, however, created 'cures' inspired by her mother's power, and only shared them with her only daughter. Who in turn shared that with her daughter and so on. And we vowed to keep it a secret."

"Or what? Or, why not? You would just let people die?"

"Child, I don't remember. I'm over a hundred, you think I remember it all? But I'm telling you now because you came to me, and whatever consequence there is won't affect my old bones."

"The cures...were they ever used?" I ask. "Are they really effective?"

"Yes, once. My mother was a Cursed One when she was a girl. My grandmother stopped it before the safe period was over-"

"How? How did she change it?"

"She took her to the border, and placed her outside of the country."

I feel like I'm about to faint. There's no way we can get Kira out of the country. Not now. My breathing becomes heavy and my heart races. The lady must notice the look of horror on my face because she comes and sits by me.

"We can't do that," I choke. "He's too dangerous now. He changed my friend. He's probably out there already killing!" I'm standing now.

"Calm down, girl. Calm down. I know that, but there are other ways. That's just the easiest, given the right time."

"Oh great...that makes me feel better."

"I know this won't sound good, but you asked," she sighs. "Other than taking the Cursed One out of the country for a while-of course no more than a day-there's also the sacrifice."

"Sacrifice?"

"Yes, two," she says. "One can sacrifice someone close to the Cursed One; even if it's themselves...someone who shares a great bond, someone of blood. The Cursed One must drink their blood," she stares at me. "He'd have to drink your blood."

"He'd do more than that," I say. "He'd eat me alive."

"An offer has to be made. Yes, it is hard, especially in this stage of the curse. But there is one more, but you especially won't like it...eventually."

"What?"

"A person must willingly sacrifice their child to the Cursed One."

"No one sane is going to do that." Tears invade my eyes.

She places her wrinkle, spotted hand on top of mines. "I know," she says, "and no one knows about it, but you, and I'm sure," she places her other hand on my stomach, "that you won't sacrifice your baby. Even if you wanted to, it's too early."

She stands up. "I don't have a baby," I say.

She makes her way to her room, "Sleep, girl." Her back is to me. "It's late." She closes the door.

….

The bed is as uncomfortable as I remember it. But that's not why I can't sleep. It's that lady and what she said to me before leaving me alone in her living room. What the hell was she talking about. I turn to my side.

"Maybe she was speaking generally," I say aloud.

But it still made me feel uneasy. Does she know something that I don't? No, because I couldn't be. No way. Besides it's too soon to know.

I turn on my back. "But then again we weren't careful."

….

It was a crescent that night, her favorite moon phase. She was standing by the window, leaning on the pane. Athrun opened the door into the room. He had on a navy, blue suit, tie undone and eyes baggy.

"Cagalli, it's dangerous to stand-"

"I heard it before," she turned to him and smiled.

"I just don't want what happened to Lacus to happen to you," he said rubbing her cheek.

She placed her head on his chest. "I think that stage is over," she said.

His arms wrapped around her slim frame. "I know, but...it's horrible...and you're his sister. It's just sick."

"Trust me, Athrun...I don't want my brother to...to do that to me." She quivers. "I don't want to think about it. And he could do it to you too. The Cursed One can change anyone."

He walked over to the bed. She follows suit. "Don't talk like that," Athrun said.

"It's true," she said, sitting besides him. "But I don't want my brother to be my first, middle, or last."

He placed a hand on her cheek, turning her head. Their lips meet. They part after many moments of continuous kisses. He looked into her eyes. Her cheeks turned red and her gaze drifts.

"Cagalli, I want the best for you. You deserve it."

"Athrun…" Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down with her. They stared into each others' eyes as he hovered over her. "I'll protect you too," she whispered.

Immediately he stole a kiss. And another. And another. Minutes passed. His fingers made their way up her nightgown, and her's were tangled in his hair.

Endless kisses lasted for endless, blissful moments, and with each kiss a moan escaped her lips, exciting him. He couldn't resist taking off her gown. He couldn't resist unbuttoning his shirt. Nothing was on his mind but her. And nothing was on her mind but him.

They didn't know how much time went by, and he didn't care that he needed to be up early in the morning. All that mattered was that he had her-all of her. All that mattered to her was that she was giving herself to him-someone she can love.

Sorry for the late response but I am busy. I suggest following the story to keep up, but I'll write if you read. But I am BUSY. R&R Plz.