Mrs. Syan paced around the kitchen. It was now seven and the sun had already set, giving way to an eerily cold night. Where was the girl? She should have been back two hours ago. Could something have happened? No. She had sent her to the mountain numerous times, and nothing had ever happened. Thomas the chef walked in.

“Kalin, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, Thomas, it’s you. I sent the girl out at three to gather herbs for me. She’s not back yet. It’s been four hours. Do you think something happened?”

“Well the storm was pretty heavy. Maybe she found shelter in the mountain. There are a few cabins up there you know. Don’t worry. Now, Junpei’s asking to talk to you.”

The duo walked out to find Junpei staring at the pavement nervously. He saw their feet and looked up.

“Mrs. Syan! I saw Yosei walk to the mountains awhile ago. Is she back yet?”

Mrs. Syan, or Kalin, wore a confused look. “Who is Yosei?”

“Oh I’m sorry. It’s the name I gave to her. Is she back?”

“No, no she’s not. And it’s been four hours, I’m really worried. Those mountains are not safe.”

“I know. Master Fuyu has told me the history of Mt. Warui. There are creatures up there.. called the Children of the Night. They don’t exactly have the gentle nature of rabbits. And then there’s the god of Death. He’s been on a search for a new queen ever since they slaughtered his last one in that witch hunt a while back. If my memory serves me correctly, he’s remained at the age twenty for the past two hundred fifty years.. Give or take a few years. And, I think her name was Brya; died ten years ago. That means he’ll be desperately wanting a lady’s blood by now, not to mention a queen. We have to go search for her!”

Thunder sounded and the street lamps flickered, as if warning them not to. They heard an inhuman shriek near the outskirts of the village that was followed by the sound of a glass window breaking. The diners all gasped and started talking in worried tones.

“I think he knows.”

Kalin nodded in agreement. Whatever made that awful sound was definitely not a domesticated animal. She shuddered, hoping the girl was safe.

**At the Castle**

Shinigami smirked as he gazed into his crystal ball. The one named Junpei is no idiot. Yes, he did have many queens before Suiren. They never meant anything to him though; they were just the life force he depended on. There was something different about his Angel of Death. What it was, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The others were all older than him…maybe that was it.

“I see now. It’s her innocence that attracts me to her. She is no more than a mere child at heart, believing in the good of all.” He smiled darkly. “She shall see. I refuse to let anyone take my Queen away from me. Suiren, come.”

Obeying his command she rose from their bed and glided over with her black, silk dress trailing behind her. She bent over and draped her slender arms around his neck, breathing softly into his ears.

“Yes, Duo, my King?”

“Nothing my sweet. I just wanted you to be by me.” (AN: um..that was a lil too.."sweet"..*gags*)

Duo turned the chair over and pulled her onto his lap. He nibbled her ear and shoulder gently, occasionally biting with his sharp teeth. Not enough to hurt, but with enough force to leave small, red marks. To show that she was his possession.

She giggled. “That tickles, but it feels so nice.”

He replied without stopping the treatment he was giving her, “You’re mine. I want nothing but to give you pleasure.”

Her hands reached up to play with his braided hair. They traveled down to the end of the braid to untie the satin ribbon, releasing the chestnut-brown locks to fall around the intimate couple. His nibbles ascended up her pale throat. Then he claimed her lips in an overflow of passion. She gasped his name into his mouth.

They pulled back, both needing air. Duo gazed at her hungrily. Intense gold met longing sapphire-blue. His breathing was ragged and unstable.

“I want you.. I need you. Now. I want to hear you say you’re mine.”

“I’m yours. For eternity.” she purred, then pulled him into another round of soul-searing kissing.

They paused, and Suiren brought her finger up to her fangs to puncture a small wound. A trickle of blood rolled down. She licked it while still holding onto his gaze. He couldn’t stand it and snatched her hand away, drinking the dark red liquid greedily. A few minutes later she felt herself growing unconscious.

Duo abruptly stopped after sensing her pulse growing weaker. What was he thinking? She had already lost enough blood. He carefully picked her up and carried her over to the bed they would be sharing, gently placing her head on a fluffy pillow and pulling the covers over her. He looked contently at his princess and then slid under the covers next to her. The God of Death put an arm around her holding her tight.