Sorry for the slow update. I'm on externship. Its going great though! Thanks for all the R&R! Reviews keep me going! :D My updates might be slow.

~Chapter 17: Crisis~

Zoey P.O.V.

Mom had recently joined us against the fight with Shizuka Hio. We had found out that she kept another girl here as well. It was the cheerleader from the school, I found pieces of her cheerleader uniform with her name, Amber, on it. Was she just kidnapping teens for the hell of it?

"My my the Kiryu's sure do put up quite a fuss." She said as she landed a clean cut across my cheek. I was just happy she didn't try to bite any of us. I didn't want to know what that felt like...I was born all ready a vampire and left on the streets when I was five years old. The Kiryu's took me in and I have grown to love them and they taught me everything I know today.

I even had the same weapons as mom did because I excelled in using them. But we each had our own attack styles which was really cool. I was currently jumping from tree branch to tree branch trying to jump onto Shizuka who kept dodging everything I threw at her.

This battle had been going on for nearly an hour and there has been no word from Zero about Krystal's condition. I was really worried. Suddenly, Shizuka let out a loud scream of agonizing pain. Her kimono was soaked with even more blood than before. Dad, mom and I instantly jumped at the chance as we pounded her, cut her up and dad pulled out her heart and crushed it in his bare hands.

Shizuka's body had turned to ash as we all looked to see Zero standing there with rage and a way beyond pissed off look. Mom was the first to speak, "Well, that was certainly...entertaining." she said putting her weapons away. I did the same while relief showed upon my face.

"I think we can say that its over, I mean she did turn to dust after all." Dad stated. "Zero, where is Krystal? How is she?" he asked concerned.

Zero was silent as he led the way. I think he was too scared to say anything.

In only a matter of two minutes, using our epic vampire speed, we reached the place by the boat where Krystal supposedly was. would've gotten here sooner but we are still servery injured, we each just drunk a bag of blood along the way to start the healing process.

Dad and I had gasped in shock as we saw Krystal's torn up state. Her hair was matted with dried up blood and dirt and mud. The only clothing left was the top half of her white uniform shirt, she had no sleeves. She only had one long piece hanging on her skirt. Thank goodness, she still had her undergarments on. I could tell she was breathing but it was slow and labored. Her entire body had scraps, cuts, a few gashes, and several bite marks...

My eyes went wide, "She's been bitten like four times!" I yelled out of shock.

Zero stepped in front of her, as he were protecting her from if we should kill her. He looked at us straight in the eyes and said, "She was already like this when mom and I found her. Its been about a hour and she hasn't showed not one sign of changing. Normally, it takes only three to five minutes to complete but that's not the case here. Her eyes have only opened once and then she closed them. She hasn't moved." He explained as he turned around to look at her. He took off his jacket and covered her up for at least some privacy. "What the hell is going on?"

Dad shook his head. "I just don't know son, it could be she is not affected at all by vampire bites. I sure she had lost a lot of blood, lets get her back to the hos-" Dad stopped as he had just seen Krystal open her eyes again as she slowly tried to sit up. Zero rushed to her side to help her.

"Guys...what happened?" She squeaked. I can imagine that it also hurt her to talk and breathe.

We got her in the boat and rushed off to the nearest hospital. I was so mad because horrible things keep happening to our friend and we all know that damn well she in no way deserves it!

In short, we had explained how we got here and that we all teamed up on Shizuka and killed her. Krystal was shocked beyond the least as she listened. She was starting to pass out from blood loss and pain. I felt so bad for her, we all did.

Even though she couldn't really move, I saw her wince in pain as she suddenly punched her self in the stomach- hard!

"Krystal! What the hell-" Zero was cut off by her throwing up, then chocking, and then she caught something in her hand. She tore off the last piece of her non-existent skirt and wiped it off as best she could.

Mom and I were instantly over there and looking at what she had in her hands. It was a vile, about the size of her palm of blood. "Krystal, what's in that?" Mom asked she took it gently out of her hand and looked at it. Krystal was starting to close her eyes, we all could see how exhausted she was.

She slowly turned her head as we finally reached land, and said, "Zero, please drink it...It's Shizuka Hio's blood..." And then she passed out.

Zero P.O.V.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. Even when she was admitted for immediate surgery, I still wanted to ask questions such as how did she manage to get some of her blood? Is it possible that she really knew what kind of vampire I was?

A few hours later. she was stabilized. None of us pressured her about the island incident. She looked tired and under a lot of stress from the surgery. They said that she was going to be alright. But that is her second serious surgery only weeks after the horrible one where she raped and stuff. We were there for through every step of the way until she felt like she was one hundred percent better.

It had been one week and a half. Zoey had done all her homework in Krystal's own writing to keep her grades up in school. Of course her mom and little sis came to visit, we had informed them of the situation about a week ago. Krystal seemed really happy these days, and I hoped she continued to stay that way forever. Over the course of the week we had all gotten to know each other much better.

For example Krystal favorite color was purple, didn't matter what shade. She said that her favorite reminder of her color was seeing it in my eyes. That made me blush and I was glad that only her and I were in the room at the time. Today she was getting ready to go to her new foster families house. They were coming to pick her up and all of us made sure that their was a complete background check and the works on them.

From what Krystal told us, she was very excited and couldn't wait to meet them. She really liked them. Also over the week, Mom and dad made a bet with us. They said that whatever couple won would have to take an embarrassing picture. Krystal and I ended up losing the ring toss challenge and we had to take that photo. Krystal ended up knocking the food tray out of her grasp and the food spill all over me.

I glared at her and all she did was laugh and point. I took some vanilla pudding and threw it at her face. She shut up then and we had a food fight. After the room became a mess. Surprisingly, we all broke out laughing, even I couldn't hold it in. That when mom took the picture which might scar me for life...

Krystal's mom had gotten a job being an Medical Assistant starting last week. She had been going to school with her friend and had excelled in everything. But she did keep a low profile and worked at a nice clinic down the street from her. Melanie was still in school of course which was good.

I hadn't told anyone that I still had the vile, I decided today was the day to end this crap. It was just Krystal and I left and I went to the bathroom. I opened the vile and proceeded to drink it when Krystal busted in.

"I knew you didn't drink it yet! Zero, that's going to end your pain and suffering. I know you've been having a hell of a time containing your composure but now you-" I cut her off as I pulled her into the bathroom and locked the door.

"Did Shizuka tell you?" I asked. I hadn't need to explain how as that was revealed all ready. She nodded. "I-how can you care so much about me? I'm nothing but the same as those-" I said feeling depressed and angry.

"Don't think of yourself that way! I care because I really really like you, and I seen the pain on your face when Shizuka came that day. And then learning about your past, which was so horrible! I want to take away that pain from your life, just like how you saved me a few times. I owe you guys my life for everything you went through. Zero, you really care about me and I can see it. You're always protecting me aren't you?"

I took in her words and replied. "Sorry about that and yes you are right. You're not like any other girl I've had to and been forced to meet." I chuckled thinking back to last year. I realized that I could only be myself around her and my family. She really did turn my life upside down and in a good way. It definitely wasn't boring.

I drunk the rest of Hio's blood and my insides burned like bloody hell. Krystal pulled my head to her chest and stroked my hair gently in her sweet attempt to make me feel better. After a few moments, the pain was gone and I knew that the Level E portion was gone. I definitely felt stronger. I lifted my head and smiled at her. She giggled and smiled back.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me on the lips gently. I leaned her back against the door as we had a make out session. After a few moments we had to stop to catch our breath. "I'm glad we finally had a moment alone to finish that." She said as her cheeks lit her fire.

I nodded in agreement. I pulled a box out of my coat jacket that was hanging over the shower pole and gave it to her. "Here a present." I said as I tossed it to her.

She opened it and blushed again. I had bought her a light purple EVO cell phone from Sprint. No the phone didn't come in that color, I had it especially made for her. The phone case was black with silver swirls and butterflies on it. She hugged it to her chest and said, "Thank you so much Zero!" She hugged me tight. "But I never had a cell phone before so I don't know the first thing about these." She stared at the phone in embarrassment.

"Jeez really?" I asked but quickly said, "Don't worry I'll teach you the basics."

So for the next fifteen minutes I showed her how to dial numbers, contacts, take picture and text me. My number was the first one and on speed dial in her contacts. She says there was no picture of me so she asked if she could take one.

I sighed and agreed. She told me to smile or she would show random people our food fight picture. I didn't care about that as much but still. So I playfully frowned as she snapped the picture anyway. Then we took a bunch of random pictures together and after that it was time for her to go.

We had one last hug and a quick kiss before she left. Her new foster parents didn't see that. She told me that she'll call me tonight before bed.

Krystal P.O.V.

I was having such a great time with my new "parents" and they told me that Mr. James was a Doctor and Mrs. James is a psychiatrist. They already knew everything about me. They had known that I had a great relationship with the royals. They didn't have any kids either and lived in a normal house. They weren't the the type to get expensive things expect their cars, and everything else inside their home.

I was given a tour of the place and fell in love with it. I missed my mom and Melanie so much. I would visit them tomorrow since it Saturday. I was showed to my room. I had my own bathroom as well. My room wallpaper was a light green and the floor was dark oak colored wood. I had a normal king sized bed with light green sheets and a blanket. I opened my closet to find it stocked with awesome outfits and shoes. Including my uniforms.

After eating dinner and taking a shower, before I got dressed I had noticed something black on my back. It was a pattern of small swirls on my lower right back. I wanted to touch it but before I did I fell to the ground on my knees as I held my head as I had a horrible headache.

I swear I had laughing from somewhere very close by. I look to my left as I saw Shizuka standing there with a fan. She glared at me as she laughed once again. I scooted back away from her. I was scared, I thought she was dead.

"I see the fear on your face in your eyes Krystal. Yes, I am dead, but have powers far beyond the Kiyuus. I see you've noticed the few black spiral swirls on your back." She pointed a finger at me as I brought toward her. Luckily, my towel was still wrapped around me. "Your still infected with that curse I gave you back then. Too bad that bottle broke."

"What do you want Shizuka? Why can't you just go into a ditch and die again." I retorted. I wasn't as scared as I was before, I wanted to stand up to her.

"Krystal, dear, what I want is to invade your body and take it over. And I can do just that!"

"Like hell you will! I don't see what you want with me, I'm just a normal average human girl. I'm not even a vampire for crying out loud!" I yelled.

Her hand gripped my neck tightly as she replied, "I'm going to use you to kill Zero and his family. Or to let him kill you or perhaps both."

My eyes widened as she touched the patterns and I began to scream in pain. I tried kicking and punching but those went right through her as if she were some kind of ghost. I felt like I was pushed to the side as she was suddenly inside my body. I was trying to move as much as I could but I couldn't. I laughed but it wasn't me, it was her.

"Yes it worked out just right." Even thought it was Shizuka who said it, it sounded just like me! Which means she could say or do anything in my body! I felt like I was floating in my mind. I could see everything she was doing, which was currently getting dressed in my PJs.
My eyes glowed red for a few seconds then returned to their normal brown color.

"Tomorrow is the start of a new girl in town! Hahaha!" She laughed evil.

"Crap!"

"You got that right Krystal, you may just learn some new evil things..." She smirked.