Kagami slid through the mirrors into a dark room in the hub of the house. Within it was a row of coffins most opened showing that their owners no longer slept within them. But one coffin was shut tight, all the latches loose but no light could possibly leak in. Not that it mattered this room had no windows and the doors were covered with heavy drapes. Here slept Takaji, after his week long time of no rest he had been severally drained. She shook her head and sighed, he was so young and reckless. She had spent most of her time hovering around Kasai and she cursed herself for not paying more attention to Takaji. In his weak state he would awake hungry and this time not for second hand blood.

In the library Hira sat flipping through another book as Kasai sat across from her, then out of the blue he started to laugh. Hira shut her book and moved towards him as he opened up his book to reveal a picture. It was a painting of two demons, they were both ringed by flames and one had her claws stuck into the body of a man. Skeletons danced in the flames surrounding them and both had barred fangs. Underneath read the caption: 2 fire demons who plagued Europe through out the dark ages were supposedly banished by the ancient warrior Don Pablo of Castilla. Kasai’s laughs slowly stopped as Hira examined the picture to try and find out what made him laugh so much.

“These are my cousins, Kowai and Itami they would be uh more than a little upset to see themselves portrayed so unflattering. They are very particular about how they are portrayed.”

“These are the cousins who threw you out!” said Hira gesturing at the picture in disbelief.

“Indeed, they are my own flesh and blood, but I left partly by my own choice… I don‘t belive this” he gestured towards the caption. “Don Pablo of Castilla never banished them actually if I recall he stayed for a bit then went on his way. My cousins had quite a soft spot for him, he made them promise to stop ravaging the people. And look what he did he makes up a story that he killed the….” Kasai stopped talking as a loud bang filled the air. He slowly crept to the door grabbing a Katana from a nearby desk, Hira creeped behind him as he slowly opened the door. Hira was starting to turn to look out when their was a yell from inside the library mirror.

“stop!” yelled Kagami looking out of breath as she appeared in the polished mirror. “don‘t either of you go out their!” Kasai rushed over to the mirror.

“What happened what was the bang? Is he awake!”

“Yes he has a wakened but he is so weak… I‘m surprised he was able to get out of the coffin it would not be good for the girl to seem him this way. I‘ve already alerted the staff and they have left the house. He needs blood!” Replied Kagami as Hira turned to see the two of them talking.

“What happened? I‘m not deaf you know I heard majority of what you said!”

“It‘s Takaji” said Kagami turning towards Hira ‘He‘s lost a lot of blood, from what I could tell he hasn‘t hunted for at least 2 weeks! He needs blood that I can not give!”

“I could give some…” started Kasai but was interrupted by Kagami.

“No! You of all people should know that in a fire demons veins there is both blood and flame unable to be separated. Vampires can not drink your blood.” Her eyes turned to Hira as Hira turned to look at her.

“My blood? It would work right?”

“I wouldn‘t ask this of you if it wasn‘t incredibly important.” Explained Kagami her face worried as she stared up form the mirror. “I have a plan but it would mean a bit of pain on your part.”

“Pain, I can handle now spill.” answered Hira leaning in towards the mirror.

Hira sat in a chair in one of the inner rooms she couldn’t keep herself from cringing as the blood fell down her arm. The cut in her shoulder had been opened by a very reluctant Kasai, who had only agreed after Hira promised that it was what she wanted. She had turned away when he did it but it was impossible to ignore the bite of the cold steel. Kasai had then led her to this room, then left to lure Takaji in.

She tried to calm herself but she couldn’t stop the shivering. Alone in the room allowed her mind to wander, each sound she heard was louder then before. But soon the only sound she heard were the running of feet, followed by the sounds of dragging feet. She knew Kasai was coming bringing Takaji in tow, partly dragging him along. It was all part of the plan, Takaji had no idea what was awaiting him in the room only that Kagami had found some blood.

Kasai was sweating as he dragged Takaji along in his wake. He only had the strength of a 15 year old boy and Takaji was almost to much to handle. Kasai had found him on the floor of the coffin room. His face had gone paler than usual and his eyes were glazed over as if in death. His skin was feverish to the touch and his throat was so dry speech was impossible. They were so close even Kasai’s human like nose could pick up the tangy scent of blood.

Takaji tried to grip his surroundings, their was Kasai and then, he gasped, the blood, the sweet scent. He could feel his mouth begin to water as Kasai pulled him closer to it. Then they came to the door, it was so close he could taste it.

“I‘m leading him in take care of yourself” said Kasai to the door as he threw it open and pushed Takaji in. That’s when he saw her, he’d never seen someone looking so unearthly. Her skin glowed from the lamp light and he vaguely noticed the surprise on her face. All his mind was focused on one thing, her arm. The blood was a deep red and it trickled oh so slightly down her arm in a steady stream to where it dripped of her fingers. He tried to stand, to walk, or even crawl to the crimson life force. But all strength he had was used up from being moved from room to room. He knew he was almost gone, but he felt a gentle arm wrap around he shoulders and lower him to a soft lap. Then he tasted it she had placed her dripping fingers in his mouth, and drop after drop a bit of blood fell onto his outstretched tongue.

But mere droplets were not enough he needed more and Hira could see that. She brought her hand up to her shoulder as she willed her claws to grow. Now with her clawed hand she dug it into her wound. She couldn’t stop the quiet scream that escaped her lips but the moment her claws touched the blood flow increased. She shut her eyes not wanting to see Takaji licking her fingers for blood.

She shivered as she felt his hands move up her arms. She let him use her as a support to pull himself to her shoulder level. She opened her eyes wide as his lips went to her shoulder and she felt his tounge gently licking her wound. The sting of the open cut lessened and she could almost feel it fixing itself up.

“Thank you my love” whispered Takaji as he nuzzled her neck and gently laid a kiss at the base of her throat. Hira’s breathing quickened as he continued to work his way up, one soft kiss at a time. Each more breathtaking from the first, and as her breath quickened so did the kisses slowly, then faster working their way up to her mouth. Then it happened, it was like fireworks his lips on hers just felt… so right and she swooned under the feeling. Then the taste filled her mouth the blood, it was obvious Takaji had not finished swallowing his last mouthful. Her werewolf side longed for it for so long she didn’t even relize she was kissing him back just as passionately. But then she felt Takaji’s lips go limp against hers and his head slowly fell to rest on her shoulder. He had fainted right on top of her!

She sighed getting whatever feeling had risen up inside her under control. She looked down to his peaceful face, and gently stroked his hair. It really was as soft as it looked! Their sweat had mixed and she felt more then just a little dirty. His lips began to move in his sleep and she bent in to here what he said.

“ich liebe dich, watashi no koi, Séjour avec moi toujours, watashi no tenshi.”

Hira leaned in “what? Takaji I don‘t understand what your saying! Go back to sleep you must be so tired.” she moved his head down to her lap and began to stroke his hair. He grabbed her hand partway stroking and traced the letters if each sentence into her hand.

“Ich liebe dich: In the language of my people I tell you I love you. Watashi no koi: In the language of your people I claim you as my own. , Séjour avec moi toujours: with the language of love I ask you for your love in return. Watashi no tenshi: with your language I call you heaven blessed. ” He captured her soft lips once again with hers and all the world seemed right.

Kasai sat 2 doors down from Takaji and Hira. Just close enough to hear a scream and far enough away not having to hear any sucking noises… Kasai shivered just the idea of someone sucking his blood made him feel ill. He couldn’t help dwelling on it, and like an itch when he couldn’t scratch it became more and more annoying. He decided he’d just take a listen, to make sure they were ok. He crept down the hall and slowly opened the door, allowing it to creak slowly. He poked his head inside and quickly drew it out again. His face blushed faintly red, he had prepared him self for the worst gore wise but not what he had found. Takaji’s hand entangled in hiras hair, Her hands wrapped around his waist. Both laying side by side on the floor, he never remembered seeing such closeness outside a married couple.

This caused a new bubble of worry to surface, what if The Demon council heard about Takaji and he new werewolf lover. Kasai thought it over then realized that it was most likely that they would do nothing. They were to busy hiding away from mortals they didn’t waste time with a romance between a lower vampire and a newly developed werewolf. No it would be the werewolves they would have to watch for because of the slow decrease in their numbers they clung to the new members of their race passionately. They would no doubt be looking for Hira at this very moment, Kasai tightened his hold on his sword. He had heard only the worst stories about he werewolves who used tricks and traps to capture unwilling members of their species. He would have to pay double the attention to everything that was going on.

For the next week the household lived at a slow steady pace. Both the staff and Kagami and Kasai were beginning to notice a substantial change in Takaji. He no longer took to brooding In the dark recesses of his room. But spent his Monday night in the kitchens with Hira as she attempted to bake something. Kasai had made the mistake of sticking his head in to see what was cooking.

He swung open the kitchen door to reveal Takaji and Hira locked in a rather passionate kiss. And after listening to their stuttered excuses replied “if that’s what for dinner I think I‘ll be eating out this week” before leaving the room. Hira had turned up later with a peace offering of chocolate cake, no doubt Takaji had told her that chocolate was a sure fire way to buy his silence and it worked. After devouring the scrumptious cake he had completely forgot about telling Kagami what he witnessed.

That didn’t stop the servants from coming to him, because he was the only other visible resident he was the one who received all the reports.

“Master Kasai I was going to hang up some laundry and their was Miss Hira outside doing weeding, in the old mistresses garden.” was the report from one of the older maids.

“Master Kasai, Master Takaji is acting very odd.” complained another maid

“How so?”

“I was scrubbing the long hallway when Master Takaji walked by and he stopped and asked if I need any help. When I replied no that I was fine he walked away whistling!”

“Whistling? Are you sure?”

After this account Kasai was under the impression that Takaji had gone insane and had confided in Kagami’s night time self of his fears.

‘have you seen them together! Another of the maids came to me today. Said she saw him whistling! Him whistling!!” Kasai shook his head in amazement. He looked a Kagami who looked more then a little annoyed with him. “What? Why do you look so annoyed.”

“your joking! You actually think… You don’t see….” Kagami threw up her arms in frustration and stormed out of the room. Kasai scratched his head, what didn’t he see?? It was obvious that they were both foolishly falling for each other. Kasai had taken the part of having a brotherly interest in Hira and had decided since she didn’t have a father or a brother to guard her virtue he would.

Hira looked around the gardens where she was sitting leaning her head on Takaji’s shoulder. She’d became used to spending the nocturnal hours awake and sleeping while the sun was up. Takaji’s arm was loosely wrapped around her shoulders as they gazed up at the moon. It was not full yet but Hira knew it would only be a matter of days. She and Takaji had decided that they would lock her in her room for the fatal night, to protect the other members of the household. The moment would almost be perfect if it wasn’t for Kasai, he was sitting only a couple feet from them glowering at the stars. Hira removed her head from Takaji’s comforting shoulder to look at him.

“Kasai is their a reason why your following us around?” questioned Hira as Kasai’s eyes snapped down to look at her.

“I would think that is obvious because of your lack of male relation I have taken up the task of guarding your virtue.” replied Kasai with a smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

“I think I can guard my virtue just fine thanks.” said Hira tartly and looked up to see Takaji slowly shaking his head.

“Kasai is only doing what he knows is right. It‘s true the old ways say it is indecent for unmarried women to spend time with a man unchaperoned.” said Takaji then he turned curiously to look at Kasai. “But I wonder why you do this is this day and age, she may marry whomever she wants.”

“I‘m doing this as a precaution if the family wishes it, you two will be married, but if they do not… then I wouldn‘t want Hira to be broken hearted.” Was all Kasai said before standing up. “ But I can see now that I can trust both of you. I will go back to my books enjoy the cool night.” with that he left them for the inner recesses of the library.

“What was that about? What‘s this whole thing with the family? Is it like the head council?” questioned Hira. All she knew of head council was the one of werewolves. Only the most ancient was allowed on the council and their word was law, thinking about the council made Hira nervous and she buried her head into his shoulder. She hadn’t told him about the council, about how because of loss of her species they would be looking for her. Takaji seemed to sense her fear and wrapped a comforting arm around her and murmured words of affection into her ear. She looked back up at the stars could life get anymore perfect?

The next day Kasai sat alone in library, because of Hira’s new habit of sleeping during the day like a vampire he found himself often alone. Kagami was no comfort as she was in her child form, so he spent his daylight hours reading . He didn’t notice anything odd happening to Kagami came skipping in through the hall mirror. She giggled as she came to a hault in front of him, Kasai looked up from his book.

“Yes?” he asked tersely as she tried to smother her giggles.

“oh no need to be snappy! Your said if I saw anything odd to come and talk to you.” Kasai gave a nod for her to continue. “So I was walking along and I passed Hira‘s room and I heard a crash I peeked in and…” She stopped and began twisting her hair around her finger.

“and…” prodded Kasai glaring at her.

“and what?”

“and what happened next!” hissed Kasai sending her another type A death glare. All Kagami did was gigle at him.

“If your gonna glare like that I’m not gonna tell you a thing.” Kasaia rested his head in his hands and took a deep temper controlling breath.

“please excuse my rudness and continue with your story.”

Kagami giggled again and said “much better, now let me see I was walking past Hira‘s room when I heard a crash. So obviously I went inside to investigate and lo and behold she was being kidnapped….’cept of course she was in a deep sleep so actually the guy just picked her up and…” Kasai help up a hands to stop her babbling.

“Wait rewind, what happened in Hira‘s room.”