I lie in the bed, recovering.

Ahh... he will come again, soon. Why does he do this to me?

I laugh bitterly.

Of course I know why. He has told me himself... my vital blood is his special treat. He partakes of me, knows me, tastes me... because I am young, strong, and in pain.

I sigh a little as the hurt ripples through me as it emanates from that old, memory laden scar.

He knows that it is my truly mind's pain, acting on my body. But it doesn't matter- he tells me it gives spice to my blood, to my taste.

I rise and go up to the mirror, examining myself.

Fine... then why? Why do I let him do this to me?

Two small holes, at the nape of my neck. Closed over now, it is not the only thing that betrays his presence...

Why? Because I like it... because he is power.

Memories flash before my eyes, as I look at the marks his lips has made on the rest of my body. No more bites, only lips. A dessert after his feeding... that is my body.

I wonder how many of us he has, lined up as the dish of the day, of the week. How many he uses, feeds off of, makes moan as he does me...

I go over to the bath. It is never a good time to be naked in this gloom laden country, even with the fire. The water had been boiling hot when the servant had filled the tub, but now it was merely lukewarm.

He is the master of this place, of my world. I stay here at his suffering, and I must pay with all I can... I must buy my siblings' freedom with my own.

I wash as best I can, before rising and grabbing the towel from the mantle. Warmed from the fire, it soothes me as I sit before the flames.

I know that is not the only reason why I stay. He will be my death... he is my life. Fire. It could free me... that, or a stake through his heart. I could kill him, and then escape from this cursed castle, this gloomy realm...

I shake my head as I rise from the rug. A bitter smile tugs at my still-sore mouth, and I sigh. I use the towel to dry my short-cropped hair before dropping it to the floor.

What could I do? Go back to the life I led before? Hunted, running through the streets, existing to survive for my family. Enduring the touch of a few to protect them, knowing that fighting back makes it worse. It is no life for a young man to wish to go back to.

Going back into the bed, I shudder as I smell his scent. It is strong, truly overwhelming. It fills my mind and senses like nothing else can...

He was my dark angel and savior... As I was running back, away from an unwelcome touch, he was there at my door. He laid a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me, showing me his fangs.

Lost in my memories, I feel the breeze enter the room again. Lifting my head, I look to the window.

I knew what he was, even who he was... who hadn't heard of him? Gently, he explained his terms. Virtual imprisonment in his castle, never seeing my family again, serving as his food. In return, a life of comfort for me and mine, though they could never know why. What could I do but say yes?

He is here again. Why? He has already fed once from me today... He reaches for me, and I go to him. I am quiet, meek. What could he want? A tentative question whispers from my mouth.

"Today again?"

I wait... what could I do?

"Come."

His voice is dark, smooth. Beautiful, powerful, lovely- he is everything of the night. How curious that he is as pale as the moonlight, with pure white skin, and long, silken silver hair that brushes against my skin with every touch of his mouth...

I let him lead me back to the bed, my feelings curiously blank. What does it matter that he could drain me dry? It is his will... and now, mine. His skin is always cooler than mine, but his touch enflames me as nothing can. I wait for the kiss, for the small pain opening up the pleasure that I cannot stop, but all I feel are mortal touches.

Why? Why is he doing this to me now? I want an excuse- a reason for the reality of my hatred. If he does not even do the one uncontrollable thing... the thing that leaves me truly powerless... what is left for me to do?

I gasp, as I always do, and close my eyes as he makes me lose control with only his hands, his mouth, his touch. Not with his powers, with his pleasure-giving lethal kiss. Shuddering at my release, I raise my eyes, carefully looking away from his.

Only his touch... only him. If he goes away... if I do what I- all I will have is me... only me...

"Why?"

My voice echoes through the chill room... has the fire has gone out?

"I wanted to know if your pleasure only came from my bite..."

I look at him straight in the eye... something that I know I shouldn't do. I am staring into blood red points of pain, and I smile into them. Gently, softly...

"That... it is never only that."

I reach behind me, and take out what that man had given me. A chance for myself to survive... can I take it?

"Somehow... tonight, I needed to... You have never been just my prey..."

I smile again, a tear falling.

"Do you want me to live?"

He stares at me as I ask that quiet question, and then reaches for my hand. Holding onto it, he gives it a small kiss, and then gently flings it away.

"I give you your life."

The tears fall harder now, and I nod. A smile of thanks distracts him as my other hand delivers his death.

"And I take yours."

On my face, a look of rage, of power unleashed. I feel it contort my face as I strike out, as I kill in his moment of vulnerability. As I destroy him... my love.

His eyes are not disbelieving... they see all, know all of me. He knew. I know that he knew. Was it fate? Destiny that he did as he did today, on this one day?

I rise up from his corpse, taking my hand from the stake in his heart.

"Sayonara, Kouji. My lord."

I walk over to the window and open it, and soon, he comes up, propelled by his magic.

"Izumi-san. What you did freed this country from a great evil. We are grateful. All of us who lived under him give you thanks-"

"Mage. Please hand me that knife... I have some unfinished business."

He gives me a startled look, and then nods. He takes out the mage-knife, the focus for his powers, and hands it to me, hilt first.

Kouji. For my own self to live... you were taking all of me into yourself. It is my nature to want to survive. Death... you gave enough sacrifices to it that the darkness cannot look so unkindly upon you. Still...

I take the knife, and put it to my palm. One quick slash, and what he had used as his sustenance splashes onto him- but it will not help him anymore.

"This is my bond. Only you, Kouji. Only you."

His hand is still as cool as ever as I place my hand to his. As if I could impart life onto him... I place my lip to the wrist now stained with my blood, and pledge myself in a way that I could keep him and me.

"Let's go."

The mage gives me a frightened look as I hand the knife to him. Placing my hand over my still-bleeding wrist, I look back at the room that had been my prison. Back at the man who had been my captor.

Why does my heart say love and safety?

---Finis---

For once, my little rambling is at the end. Why? B/c I wanna keep y'all guessing for a little bit...

This is directly inspired from an alternate universe pic that Ozaki-sensei drew... It's actually from Zodiac... Trust me, see it and you'll see why I was inspired...

Tell me any opinions, please.

*Monica realizes that the companion pic might also be helpful to understand...