Like staring into an open grave *Invite Only*

[The Gamemaster]

He choked hard, scuttling back as he watched with thinly veiled terror as the spectre of death walked closer, futilely holding up a hand as though to ward off the demon before him. It wasn't supposed to be like this, dammit! He was Aleksei the Beast! One of the Golden Dawn, the elite of the elite soldiers for the Perfect Path! How could this... demon in the form of a child have destroyed him, when he had been dead a few moments ago.

"Noo!" He moans, spitting black coagulating blood as he gasps in pain, leaning heavily on a broken arm that is as thick and wide as the entire body of this youth who is coming to kill him. "Stay back, monster!" He says futilely, as the figure soaked in blood steps closer. He had killed him, he was sure of it, and yet... How was it that he lived? How was it that he had so completely and totally devastated him. He could see inside his ravaged chest cavity dammit, so how was it that he still lived!? How was it that the blood oozed from the gaping wound, rather than poured? What was this.. thing, was it really a demon.

Burning scarlet eyes focused on him with an almost cruel disinterest. "You attack my family, those near and dear to me, those more important to me than this immortal life itself... And you think that you might beg my forgiveness?" Says the youth, no more than a boy barely reaching manhood. His pale features are composed into an icy mask, the penetrating stare of those burning eyes hits Aleksei like a ton of bricks, as though he were staring into his own open grave. "Foolish little Vampire, didn't you know? It is futile for men to bargain with Dragons." He said, as his hand rose before the injured Aleksei, curling into a fist as he flexed his will, and summoned his power to bear.

Aleksei cried out then, as the broken stone around him began to quiver, bent to the will of this demon before him... Or was he a Dragon? Was that not what he had said, that men could not bargain with Dragons? "Damn you!" coughed Aleksei, as the stone began to move around him, fitting together as though it were a box. No, not a box, this was something else, if the strangers eyes were his grave, then this would be his coffin. "Its too late for that, but you are welcome to curse my name for eternity, as you suffer in the bowels of hell." Says the Pale Dragon before him, long hair whipping around a narrow face that is as composed and sharp as a sword. "Die."

His hand grasps closed all the way with that cool word, and the box contracts completely, Aleksei's last thought is that it hurts so badly, before with a sickening snapping squelch, the command of the Pale Dragon comes to pass. Condensed stone, compressed so tightly it appears no more than a cinder block sits before the Dragon, leaking blood from the broken mass that was once the near 7 foot tall body of Aleksei the Beast. The Dragon quivers for a moment, a trail of fresh blood leaking from the corner of his perfect mouth. "Such is the fate of all who would threaten that which is most important to me." He says weakly, as the oozing blood begins to trickle, then pour and he collapses forward. His eyes are glazed, and his breathing ragged. "Dammit... am I to die here?" His fingers draw furrows in the rubble. "No... not here, not when I have finally found you again." He says, speaking to the ghost of his memories, and a smiling face that had melted his heart of ice, almost a thousand years ago.

As he lay there, losing his life's blood, he remembered the events of this night. Thinking back to before the battle that had claimed the life of Aleksei the Beast, and all that he had learned. It had all started earlier that evening, when Sakurazuka Seiryu had set out to find the one who had pulled the strings leading to the attack on Hyouda Karu. The Pale Dragon wheezes, and his eyes narrow as he remembered Seiryu closing in on Aleksei, thinking it would be an easy battle. Oh, it had been anything but easy, and Seiryu had not been prepared in the slightest. The Dragon wheezes, his fingers and toes numbing as his body begins to set into shock. Damn that idealist Seiryu, had he not been focused on mercy, then this would not have happened....

It all began when the bike left the Academy...

[Sakurazuka Seiryu]

Sitting up is when he first feels the pain, not a sharp pain mind you, but a dull throbbing pain that just seems to go on and on. The kind of pain from a serious wound, but he doesn't focus on that, instead he sits up with a pained gasp, and looks to Tsuki... Still in her ready position, still ready to fight even if Phillippe is leaving for now.

Wordlessly he wraps his arms around her from behind, the warm blood spilling across her back as he does so. "Its allright Tsuki-chan... Its over, he's gone.." He says, his voice a quiet whisper. "You were magnificent, enough to halt him in his tracks." He adds, his hand moving to push the blade down, to try to get her to relax. "Its over now, you can relax..." He says, his voice is a soft coo in her ear, as gentle as one might speak to a baby, though it carries the weight of powerful emotions.

[Shizunei, Sakura]

"Pompous,arrogant,son-of-a-jackal." She muttered to herself as she got hit with the full force of his attack. The force of his attack sent her flying backwards some sixty feet. She didn't bother trying to get up there was no use trying to get up either. The damage that had been done to the seal on her right arm was slowly disintergrating and she knew that if she didn't get help soon it would kill her. She just lay there on the ground barely conscious as to what was going on around her. She didn't care anymore she really didn't. The pain was becoming worse and worse she couldn't help but cry out in agonizing pain,then there was darkness and she welcomed the darkness. The darkness was better than the pain she suffered when she was awake. The darkness was painless and she felt safe in the darkness. She could also hear the voices of her mother and father though she knew they had been for thirteen years nearly. She didn't care what happened to her as long as it ended the pain and suffering she was going through. The further she went into the darkness the voices were becoming fainter and fainter. There was no more pain just darkness the endless darkness. There was only the darkness and nothing else mattered anymore.

[Yagyu Tsukiko]

Her breathing is fast, too fast, the signs of shock. She was too stunned, too dazed to notice what had happened between Aleksei and Seiryu. Her world had narrowed and she was focused only in a tunnel vision of the universe around her. She trembles softly, and seems to be going into shock soon, or at least starting to hyperventilate.

As she feels the blood pouring down her back, his blood, she whimpers and shudders. She could only remember how Seiryu had been wounded so much and the blade through him ... she cried out, shivering violently, as his blood poured into her own wound, their bloods mingling.

There was something that made her scream in horror, the knowledge of her weakness and helplessness, and the feeling that he is dying.

And she can do nothing to stop it.

[Sakurazuka Seiryu]

Gently he prys her fingers from the blade, letting it fall to the ground. Slowly his world is being consumed by pain, eating the edges like fire; and forcing him to focus tighter and tighter. Its white hot, blazing and bright, as though he can only squint and bear it, however even without looking he can tell that simply 'bearing it' wont be nearly enough. His heart is pounding, making the white come faster, as though it were bleaching his entire world from the edges inward.

He shifts her slowly, turning her in his lap so that they sit facing one another, and he pulls her close to him, tucking her head against his chest, above the ragged wound, and rests his cheek atop her head, wanting to calm her down. Adrenalin is fading from the fight, his breath coming in ever more ragged wheezes as his body adjusts, realizing the damage and shutting down. "Shhhh..." He tells her, almost cooing in her ear, wanting to calm her. "Are you alright?" He asks, his eyes looking fevered and glassy, locked on her in a fascimile of the intense focus he always had for her. Always before when he looked at her, it was as though nothing else existed in all the world. Now... now their was a sense of desperation, as though that focus were the only thing holding back a mountain of pain.

And it was true, he hung in the white hot agony that radiated outwards from his chest. His own vampiric tissue unable to repair itself based on the artificial blood alone. The supplument could feed them, provide them with the most basic of nutrients and ensure survival... But it had never been intended for something like this. It simply didn't have the kick of the real thing, when consuming human blood the energy of life itself was consumed. After abstaining for so long, surviving on the suplument alone, his body was attacking itself trying to get the required energy to heal. "Are you allright?" He asks her, his glassy eyes locked on her own, gently holding her face with numbing fingers so that he could ensure that she was at least looking at him, trying to capture her focus.

He speaks through gritted teeth, as much as to further ward against the pain as it is to prevent himself from committing a travesty of the highest order. The life his body so desperatly needs is right before him, the intoxicating scent of her spilled blood enough to prickle the hair on the back of his neck. He keeps his jaws locked shut to prevent the reflex action of trying to bite, hating himself for the weakness that was burning in his brain like a hot poker. That day, in the park, when he had realized that she was turning. She had said that she was afraid, that she didn't want this, that he didn't understand. He wanted to bite so badly, to sink into her throat and sip away until he could heal, but the memory of the terror in her eyes that night kept him lucid.

[Yagyu Tsukiko]

"Seiryu" She finally stated, trying to overcome the shock. It worked, somewhat, because the buzzing in her ears vanished for long enough for her

He moved still, but she could sense his pain, his body screaming for healing. And she knew he was not immortal. Like K wasn't.

"Seiryu." she repeated, feeling her wits returning to her. "Seiryu... listen to me. You need blood, don't you? You're not healing and you should be able to heal yourself. You have to take my blood. I'm not sure how much I can give without collapsing...but you have to take it. Do you think you can control yourself not to bite me if you lick the wound in my neck?"

[Sakurazuka Seiryu]

His fingers move to the ground and curl into fists, dragging furrows in the concrete and he shakes his head at her question. "I don't know..." He admits, knowing his own nature. Her blood alone was something like a drug to him, like placing a fine aged bottle of wine that was grown from the best stock grapes, and carefully aged for a century in front of a whino used to cheap bottles of a no-name brand. The smell alone when he was 'fed' was enough to make him hungry, but damaged, his nature would be that much harder to control.

He honestly didn't think he could drink without biting, his instincts were tearing with his thin veil of civility, and the moment hot blood touched his lips, he was certain he would bite, to find the warmth of her throat, to feel the beat of her heart against his fangs, pumping her life into his mouth. The thought alone was making his throat burn, like someone had forced him to swallow a torch. He shakes his head, his teeth still clenched. "No..." He says softly, his eyes moving to focus on hers with a more alert stare. "Ive never wanted someone's blood as bad as yours Tsuki, right now... like this... I could not control myself." He says softly, shaking and shivering, not from cold, but from self loathing from admitting the weakness.

The pavement in his hand crumbles as he clenches his fists. He gives a jerk as something feels like it tears inside, wincing and closing his eyes for a moment as a staggering wave of agony rolls over him. "I can't bite you." He says softly. "Venom from two of us would make you turn that much faster. I can't bite you." He says, repeating that last part as though it were a mantra and shaking his head. "But I want to. I want to bite you so badly right now, everything I am is telling me to spring on you, before you can move, and taste you. Pull you close and drink, to claim you as my own at the same time." His voice is strained, and he wraps his arms around his knees. "Im like a junky with his next fix right in front of him. I never want to hurt you, and yet right now the only thing I can think about is taking your blood, and your life." He says, disgust in his voice as though he were passing into delirium.

[Yagyu Tsukiko]

"Seiryu" She said, very carefully and very slowly. "Seiryu, listen to me. I don't know how long I have until I faint. I'm feeling really dizzy, and then, I don't know if you can resist it with me unconscious. I will try to cut my wrist or something if you prefer, but I don't know if I'll make it. Listen to me..." *she pressed her hand on her neck and brought it back red, soaken in blood. "Drink this." Before he could struggle, she had pressed her hand against his lips.

She was smart enough to know that they'd argue forever as she begged him to drink and he'd refuse. He was too nice for his own good. So she took the decision out of his hands.

[Sakurazuka Seiryu]

Her wet fingers paint his lips a bloody crimson, and he shivers despite himself, his tongue squeezing out to trace his lips, tasting the warmth, and his eyes go red with the taste. It was sweet, mouth wateringly so. And he couldn't help but want more, even if inside he felt as though it were dirty. Slowly his arms rose up, pulling her closer as he screwed his eyes and decided to try to feed without biting her. It was a weakness of sorts, because he knew that part of the decision was based on wanting more of that sweet taste.

But their was more to it then that. She had offered it to him, knowing that he would refuse she had simply given it to him. It was a tenderness that made him want to feed for another reason, to share with her since she believed in his restraint. He wanted to prove to himself that he deserved the trust that she must have had to willingly court death. Carefully he licked out, licking the blood from her throat gently. His throat burned and his fangs ached to bite, to settle his hunger in a rush of blood. But he screwed his eyes closed tightly, focusing on slowly lapping at the blood. Carefully and gently, tenderly as though by sheer patience he could conquer his hunger.

His blood smeared lips lifted to whisper in her ear. "Tsuki..." He said, his voice soft, caressing the flesh of her earlobe. "I love you." He says, wanting desperately for her to know how much her brave faith in him meant. Then he lowers his mouth to her neck, careful not to hurt the ragged wound, and begins to drink. Carefully minding his fangs, drinking slowly so as not to tear her throat further. If he drank deep and fast, he would lose control, and would do more harm... His saliva mixed with her blood, carrying its unique pleasure inducing feeding enzymes into her bloodstream. As he drinks, he cradles her to him, his hands softly encircling her in a warm embrace.

He will only take enough to survive until he can get them both to the nearest Sakurazuka owned medical facility. He tells himself that, over and over. The beast within is relentless, tearing at his restraint and wanting to go into a frenzy. But he fights it, harder than he ever thought possible, his desire not to hurt her, his desire to deserve her tender courage lends him a strength he did not know he had, beating back the beast within as she shares her life with him, letting him live at the price of some of her own energy. It isn't just feeding, it is so much more now.

[Yagyu Tsukiko]

The pain is fading, and she feels protected, safe. She doesn't know if it's the blood loss or the vampire bite, but she's beyond caring. She, however, does knows she has to stay awake, because he'll stop drinking the moment she fades out, so she forces herself to keep conscious for as long as she can.

Blinking, it becomes harder and harder to open her eyes after closing them, but she bites the inside of her cheek to force herself awake. How much blood has she lost? She doesn't know, and as she fades, she stops to care. She only cares that she is in his arms, warm, maybe not protected but the worst that could be done to her had been done already.

A sigh, and her last remnants of strength fades, and, still sitting up, a faint smile in her lips, as she drifts to unconsciousness, held in love's tender arms.

[Sakurazuka Seiryu]

He cradles her close when she slips into unconciousness, tearing himself away from her throat and closing his eyes as he rocks back and forth holding her, willing her wounds to close with the power of a Pureblood. With her throat closed, he licks her neck clean, noticing for the first time her near nudity. Holding her protectively he stands, still not at 100% but at least the massive wound in his chest has closed. Gently he shifts her in his arms, moving to his bike and the kit bag that is there. He keeps some extra clothes there, not much, but he can pull a shirt on over her for decency. Her soft little body crushed tight to his own.

The nearest facility is only a few moments away by car, and he can make it there in a few leaps and bounds. He remembers that Sakura is here as well, no doubt injured from the battle, as well as his own reflexive defense. So he pauses to remove his slim cell phone, dialing out and ringing Kaname directly. He spends a few moments explaining the situation, what had happened as well as what needed to be done. With Kaname on the way to take Sakura back to the academy, in order to find out what she knew about the situation, he leapt into the night, holding Tsukiko close as he focused on getting her to a warm bed and a staff who could ensure that she would be alright.

He fights a wave of dizziness at the excertion, weary beyond belief since he has not fully healed, though worry drives him forward. They enter the clinic via the roof, the top floor affectionately called the VIP floor, as it is reserved for special high price clients. He is quick to lay her gently in a comfortable hospital bed, and buzzes the nurse station. Explaining on the fly, he gathers a few blood packs and wastes no time hooking her up to an IV. She has lost alot of blood, and needs it as badly as he does. The irony is not lost on him, and even knowing that it was her own sacrifice for him, he feels a knot of guilt, worrying that he had drank to much.

Within a few moments nurses are arriving, checking the equipment and assuring the young pureblood prince that the VIP doctor on call is on his way. They are humans, and aware of what he is. So they are quick to move when he makes his demands, bringing in a second IV and plugging it into the sleeping girl. Running a line directly to Seiryu, so that he can give her a steady drip of his own blood, hoping that the power of Thrall will help her recover faster. He sags into the chair beside her, finally allowing them to press a packet of blood into his hand, as they wheel over a small tray with a few more packets on it. He has to heal as well, and tears open the packet with his teeth, watching her through bleary eyes as he sips.

He sits by her bedside even as the sun begins to rise, the automatic shutters moving into position and keeping the room shadowed enough that he is relatively comfortable. He sips his blood, and continues to open and close his fist to help the blood flow from their shared IV to flow into her. "Be strong Tsukiko.." He whispers, moving his hand over to smooth away a lock of silver hair away from her face.

[Yagyu Tsukiko]

Almost an hour goes by before her body feels it has recovered enough for her to wake up. He feels her moan, groan, and then blinks, opening her eyes, looking around as if trying to find where she is.

She gasps, and sits abruptly up, almost ripping off her IVs with the abrupt motion, as she holds the thin shirt about her.

Suddenly, she remembers what happened and she has to cover her mouth, stiffling a scream of horror, her eyes wild as she looks around her, clearly panicking as she doesn't know what surrounds her and where she is -- and what is going to happen to her.

[Shizunei, Sakura]

The darkness was all around her and it was painless,but something was happening to her to her very . White hot searing pain. Pain that swiftly and mercilessly dragged her from the darkness and back into conscious reality. She woke with a blod curdling scream that would've put a banshee to shame. As her vision cleared she began to notice the devastation around her,but what shocked her the most was the fack that she had no injuries at all. Then she seen Seiryu-sama and that human Tsukiko thirty or forty feet from where she was at. She could tell that they were both severely injured. She went to pick up her sword and returned it to it's dagger form,then she cautiously approached them and said "I may be able to help if you'll let me." She stood about ten feet from them and stared at her y,ruined clothes waiting.