note: I am having a Les Miserables Day and may be quoting it. I hearby warn you :D


Nikolaos smiled as she talked quietly with the bartender. He had sgreed to pay her for her services as a violinist. She had only just learned a five years ago and it seemed like just yesterday when she took up the hobby. Of course, you can take up a lot of hobbies in eight hundred plus years. Besides... the Tequila was a lways a nice place to find a meal... if you catch Nikki's drift.

A stool stood near the stage and a violet spotlight danced upon it. Nikki's silver dress was quite short but showed nothing inappropriate yet the halter top was elegantly cut and made her shoulders look perfect bathed int he light. She stepped intot he violet light. Good thing it wasn't too bright.. then she'd need her damn sunglasses.

Nikki's emerald eyes fell upon her violin, smooth and shiny, ready to be played upon. A breath and Nikki sat down, drawing the bow across the string, her finger playing along the top.

Sweet melodies fileld the room and her heart was in them yet only slightly. She had lived enough to know sorrow heartbreak passion hate and despair. All those emotions balled themselves into a wave before rushibng out of her violin, music telling everything that words could not express. Half the notes were lies that she whispered in the night and others were the solid truth. Of course, no one else knew that.

The violin's haunting tune played over the club, stopping people. A vampire with a violin. How quaint.

Sakura walked into the Tequila and stopped all of a sudden as she heard the haunting violin music. She laid her eyes on the girl with the violin. She was wearing a blue blouse with a pair of black khakis. It was uncharacteristic of her to go the Tequila, but she felt she needed something to celebrate about. It seemed the vampire who wanted to kill her fled from the city. Maybe he gained too many enemies for his liking, and decided to leave. Sakura shook her head, as if trying to wake up. She walked over to the bar, and looked at the bartender, who also seemed to be entranced by the music.

Sakura cleared her throat loudly, and the bartender looked at her. "Can I get Bacardi and coke?" The bartender nodded and got working on the drink still staring at the violinist. "Who is that?" She stared at the violinist, and felt something she couldn't explain. She kind of felt attracted to the girl. She didn't understand why, but it was just something in the music.

Nikolaos smiled and stroked her fingers gently across the neck of the violin, her chin lowering more slightly. She felt her eyes reach up, watching. She noticed a new arrival and wondered whether she could feel the music as everyone else had. Did it help her musical ability to be a vampire? Yes. Nikolaos chuckled softly under her breath as her melody climbed the air as if searching for something to grab hold of... That is what she wanted, something to grab hold of...

The music took a turn, winding down into a low couple of notes and rsing with a hunger so intense the music seemed to flood Nikki's soul. Music was strong, too strong for her to be messing with but hey, she was getting paid. Nikolaos felt the music fall into a liquid tune.. a soft harmony. The melody was boring her and she wanted something differnt. Finally her hands moved without her thinking and the music filled the room as before, touching everyone's ears with a sort of chill underlying the violin's soft whine.

Sakura gasped and nearly dropped her drink as the music started to overwhelm her sense. The girl's music was deep and seemed to move something within her own soul. What attracted Sakura to the musician? Sakura didn't know, all she knew was the music. Sakura wanted to talk to the girl, and she moved closer to the stage, leaning against the railing staring at the girl. She felt as if she could dive into the girl's green eyes. "Who are you?" She whispered under her breath.

Nikolaos smiled, her fangs never showing. Practice makes perfect. It is true! Her hunger rose up in a wash of desire once she felt the girl. She had realized she was fishing for bait tonight.. searching for a drink in this place, something nonm-alcoholic, something stronger than alcohol...

The female came to the rail, so close to Nikolaos that she could hear her words. "Who are you?" Ah- yes. Who am I? Nikolaos felt an overwhelming urge to say, "Luke I am your father" But she didn't. Yeah... Vampires have a sense of humor, hers was just slightly tweaked and overimaginative.

Instead she simply watched the girl as she drew her bow and a low note emitted from the violin. She stopped playing and silence enveloped the room, silent as the grave.. silent as a coffin. Funny comparisons.
Nikolaos' emerald eyes never left the others. "I'm Nikolaos" she said with a smile. "Pleasure to meet you.. ah- may I have your name?" she asked, extending a hand to shake and she held her vilin and bow in one hand. Nikki gracefully descended the stool, violet lights rippling across her silver dress. Her heels made soft sounds on the floor as she took two steps towards the female. She could have this one.. have her here and tonight...

Sakura was shocked that Nikolaos heard her. She stared at the girl for a second. "Oh sorry, I'm Sakura." She said taking Nikolaos's hand in hers. "It's nice to meet you Nikolaos." She took in Nikolaos's body features, and almost made an assumption, but left it to herself. The hand seemed a little cold to her. "Are you cold?"

Sakura liked Nikolaos's dress, and decided to try and talk a little bit. "So have you been living here for long?" She started walking towards a nearby table, that was empty for some reason. It felt weird not hearing Nikolaos's violin music.

Nikolaos smiled. "Cold?" she asked. "Yes I suppose I am.. I was almost shaking befoer I got on stage.. so nervous" she said breathlesly. Acting was also something you became very good at with practice. Just like her smile, it was a mask. A pretty mask, but a mask nonetheless.

"I have been living in town for a while now though.. I just recently was asked to play here.. though I'm not sure I'll do it again. too many conflicts.. too much to do" She paused thoughtfully. "Sakura.. that is a lovely name" she said with interested eyes. She followed Sakura to the empty table and sat down.

"Do you come here often?" she asked, setting her violin on the rounded table. Thank God it was clean. The silence waqs slightly but soon people began to chatter and sound filled the room again, Nikki's violin forgotton.

Nikolaos let a soft smile tug at her lips as she seated herself. Ah- well, looks as if she might feed tonight.. perhaps or perhaps not... All depended ont eh outcome she supposed.

Sakura nodded as she listened to Nikolaos. "Yeah I can understand that you were nervous, I'd be nervous as well." She laughed a little bit, and took a sip of her drink. "This is the first time I've ever been here, I don't usually go out to bars." She wanted to say she was a little bit of an angry drunk, and nearly killed herself drinking, but she left that part out, knowing it wasn't exactly the best conversation piece. "It seems you've been playing the violin for a while." She said looking at Nikolaos's violin. She was thankful for the noise of the people talking. It didn't have as much of an effect as the violin music earlier, but it was better than silence.

Nikoloas felt a smile grace her lips. "Yes.. I've been playing five years.. I learned from a friend of mine" True. And that said friend was now... dead. I supose the better term was vampified. Nice word. Big word. Nikolaos would have to write the dictionaries to tell them. Yes, too much humor. God, her mood was looking up.

She arched an eyebrow. "Yes. I've never seen you around here before Sakura. Do tell me about yourself..." she said softly, her voice containing a tiny coating of persuasion but no tricks.. she was simply good with her voice. No, no tricks as of now.. maybe later.

Sakura felt the slight persuasion in Nikolaos's voice. "Well let's see...I'm the owner of the Unmei Dojo." She thought of some other small facts to tell about herself. "I was also born in Okinawa, Japan." Nikolaos seemed to be pretty nice, but she wasn't about to make any assumptions. "I don't have any family here." She wanted to tell Nikolaos about how her parents died in Okinawa, and how she was hunted by a vampire, but she didn't know Nikolaos that well.

Nikolaos stdied her with intense eyes.. wanting to breech her defenses.. wanting to know. Some sort of resistance rested on her tongue and Nikki could feel it. She wasn't telling her something.. something she needed to say.

"There's something else... I worked as an intern in a firm last year for a college prodject" she lied. "I know when people are resistant or lying.. or at least. I have a hunch" Nikolaos shrugged, letting a genuine smile fall upon her lips as she ran a finger along the neck of her violin, caressing yet it was unconscious.

Sakura nodded, "Both of my parents are dead. My mother actually was a native of Hiroshima, and was died giving birth to me. My father also died when I was 25." She was a little hesitant to tell Nikolaos about her grandfather. "Do you mind if I call you Nikki?" She asked hoping Nikolaos wouldn't take offense to it. "Mind if I ask what your view of World War II is?" She figured Nikolaos knew at least one of her relatives were involved in the war.

Nikolaos smiled. "Of course you may call me Nikki Sakura.. Yes. I am sorry for your loss" she said, her voice lower and empathetic. "I have lost family too, though none in the war.. they died because of.. time" she said suffieciently. It was true.. she watched everyone die.

Nikki nodded. "World War Two was devastating.. My parents told me so much of it.. the government was harsh on American Japenses and the Holocaust occured." Nikolaos nodded. "I'm no expert on it" she said softly, her eyes meeting the others'. If only she knew how many vampires had been involved in World War Two. Nikolaos had been in America at that time...

Sakura nodded listening to Nikki. "Thank you very much Nikki." She bowed her head slightly. She lowered her voice so only Nikki could hear her. "My grandfather took part in the attack on Pearl Harbor." She held Nikki's gaze, and forced herself not to break away. Something seemed familiar about Nikki, but Sakura couldn't quite put her finger on it. "Nothing lasts forever." She said more to herself than to Nikki. She zoned out for a second thinking about Cole, and all the other people she met in only a few months time. "Do you go clubbing a lot?" She asked looking curiously at Nikki and her beautiful dress.

Nikki lowered her voice as well. "I see... Well, sorry but I was in America at the time so..." she shrugged. "Not much of a help" she gave her a smile. "Why tell me of your grandfather?" she asked.

Sakura was thinking.. about what, Nikki wasn't sure. She only knew the woman was restless. Nikolaos smiled at her last comment. "Sometimes..." she said softly. She had stayed away fromt eh clubs lately, a little worried about Vince's warning... Although, she didn't trust Vince as far as she could throw him. Wait, she wasn't human. She could throw pretty far. Okay, she couldn't trust him just because- yes, that reasonable explanation enough.

Sakura shrugged to Nikki's question. "I feel I can trust you with something like that." She said not actually knowing why she told Nikki about her grandfather. Maybe she was starting to trust Nikki, but Sakura would keep the vampires a secret until she knew more about her. "So tell me a little about yourself." She looked into Nikki's eyes and tried to read her, not really getting anything except what she thought was a little concern. Maybe she was just imagining it.

Nikki realized that this human wanted someone to confide in... someone to trust. Hell, she didn't trust anyone but this one.. this woman seemed so earnest and so strong. Nikolaos nodded and suddenly her barrier broke. A small crack in the surface of her empty eyes.

A sort of wistfullness took her and she gave a sigh. "I miss home. I miss it so dearly but I cannot return. There is nothing for me there except to wander the grassed lawns and roam the rocky shores..." A smile lit her face and made it radiant, fangs still never showing... "Ireland, Briefne Ireland" she said softly...

"I like archery and art... singing and music..." she shrugged. "Running as well...I used to run every day when I was back home" Not true. She chased the damn chickens every day at home. Hopefully this bought her trust from Sakura. her family was gone.. and Sakura's was too.. what was she hiding? Secrets... what secrets?

Sakura nodded listening to Nikki, she took a sip of her drink and placed it on the table. "I know what you mean." She looked down at her drink, and stirred it a little bit. She was starting to trust Nikki, and she felt like speaking to her about the vampires, but it wasn't exactly the best place to talk about it. She wiped her forehead faking being hot, "Do you want to go outside for a little bit? It's a little hot in here." She hoped Nikki would take the hint so they could find a quiet, private place to continue their discussion.

Nikolaos nodded. The secret was up.. This woman was going to tell her.. what? Something. Eh- maybe she'd get a drink from this one tonight.. maybe not. Though, this one was different.. there was something about this one.. She couldn't place her finger on it.

"Yes?" she asked as they emerged outside, away from the drunks and the smoke... Her heart raced with the others as she watched her with jaded eyes.

Sakura sighed as she walked a little bit into an alley. "Well you might think I'm crazy or something, but I believe that vampires exist." She chuckled to herself. She didn't quite know why she was telling Nikki. "I've been attacked by one, and I've even fell in love with one." She said as she leaned against the wall of the alley. "Maybe they're just some freaks, but I don't really think so." She looked into Nikki's eyes, and looked for something, but she didn't know what she was looking for. "Do you believe me Nikki? It's fine if you don't, it's just been very stressful for me." Her hand went to her neck as she gently massaged some tension out of it.

Nikolaos sighed. "Then we may have a problem here..." she said. Great. The woman believed in vampires. Nikki couldn't keep the shock from her eyes as she watched her.
"Fell in love with one?" she asked.. "And hunted.. Before we continue I must ask you a question Sakura-- Do you trust me?" she asked. Let's see.. if she didn't trust her.. she'd be rid of the mortal.. If she did trust her.. then maybe- maybe Nikki could help her out.... Maybe

Sakura wasn't really surprised by the shock in Nikki's eyes. Maybe it was because Nikki knew something she wasn't telling Sakura, or maybe it was because Sakura didn't really look like the type to believe in vampires. It could've been a million things, but she pushed that out of her mind, and concentrated on Nikki's question. "I do trust you Nikki. I just don't know you that well." Her eyes showed how honest she was, and she wondered what Nikki was thinking about.

"I'm glad you trust me now. Don't fear... Back to business..." Nikolaos sighed. She opened her mouth wide enough for Sakura to glimpse her fangs then snapped it shut. Nikki shut her eyes. "It is horrid, I know"

"I really shouldn't have shown you that Sakura... You can't tell a soul. Now now.. you are going to tell me about these vampires.. I can help" she smiled sweetly. Now was not the time to be nice, now was the time to be frank.

"I don't want to be harsh or stern or a bitch but if you do tell a soul... then well" she shrugged. "I will rip your throat out" she laufghed. "Oh come now.. It's just a secret" she said softly, a warm smile now on her face.

Sakura nodded as she stared at Nikki. For some reason she wasn't as surprised as she thought she'd be. That explained why Nikki was cold in the club, and why she never smiled that widely. "Thank you very much." She said bowing slightly. "I don't think I need help with the vampire who hated me. I believe he's left town for at least a very long time." She absent mindedly felt for her grandfather's katana, but she forgot she left it back at her dojo. It would've been nice to have it as a precaution, but she didn't think walking into a club with a sword would be a very good idea.

"You don't have to worry about me telling anyone. Like I told you I have no one." She looked down at the ground remembering the fight she and Colton had. "The vampire I fell in love with is named Colton Holstein." Her mind reflected back on the first time she met him, and how good she felt with him, but of course she wanted something she couldn't have. Her mind came back to present as she listened to Nikki. "How can you help me?"

"Colton..." Nikolaos said softly. "Well... Most Vampires go by first name.. I could find him- you want him don't you? You still love him..."

Nikolaos studied her. She was strong, and smart, she was not shocked. What an extraordinary human.. who could be more than an extraordinary vampire.. Hey, she'd get blood and the human would get-- life? No, death.. eternal death.. Eh- she'd play it as long life.

"I can turn you" she said simply with a shrug. "I have no companion, no friends cept a few.. It would be nice if you would come with me and.. Well" she shrugged. "You could find Colton.. and if he said no, there are others.. you'd have more time.. a longer life- long life?" she watched her. "Is it not enticing?"

She shook her head. "Only with you I'd be this blunt. I was turned by force, not choice"

Sakura stared at Nikki for a long moment, and she didn't speak for a while. Sakura didn't know what to say, a part of her was intrigued by Nikki's offer, but a little part of her wanted to run from Nikki. Sakura wondered if it would bring her closer to Colton, that maybe if she was turned that he'd accept her, maybe even love her as much as she loved him. A lot of things were filling her head, and all of it came to the conclusion of accepting Nikki's offer. She looked into Nikki's green eyes, and felt she saw a little bit of herself in the vampiress. Sakura had been alone for a long time, and she could only imagine what Nikki felt. "What would happen if I decline your offer?"

She shrugged. "I feed and you might possibly die" she gave her a ghostly smile. "Though I usually don't kill my willing benefactors... I don't want to force you into anything Sakura... I value choice" she said the last word as if it was a curse.

"I was never given a choice" she stepped towards Sakura, eyes hurt with something that was dead but still a demon in Nikki's life.

Sakura nodded as she barely shifted her weight so if Nikki tried to pull anything she could defend herself. Though she knew she wouldn't need to. "Immortality isn't as tempting to me as getting closer to Colton." She closed her eyes, "What must I do?" Sakura waited for Nikki's fangs to pierce her neck.