Welcome to Volume 7 of this series...enjoy and read.

HUNTER + VAMPIRE

VOLUME 7

CHOICES

Previously on Hunter and Vampire

Asuka whom got convinced by Father Louis went with the man toward the city to earn the legacy of her late mother. Meanwhile, Rei and the rest finished up their battle against Mei leaving her half dead and unconscious. After learning Asuka had left with the Father, Rei went off in pursuit. When she had touched the Spear, Asuka saw terrible visions about the future, learning that only her can push an Evil back, through a last message of her Mother. Rei defeated Father Louis in a short battle, left with Asuka and the Lance of Longinus, a fabled Angel's Tears…

Chapter Twenty-Six

Awake

Asuka awoke to the sound of rain and thunder. She blinked, confused as to where she was before glancing around herself, familiarizing herself with what she recognized as a hotel room. Groaning, she seated up felling her head pounding within her skull.

"How are you feeling?"

She glanced toward where the voice came from finding Rei dressed in a long sleeved black shirt, with jeans on. She was by the window, and quickly crossed toward Asuka, a look of concern on her face.

"I…I'm fine…got a killer headache," Asuka answered her.

Rei nodded, sighing as if in relief.

"I'm glad."

"Rei…where…How did I get here…Last things I remembered was…"

A flash of a bloodied Rei nailed to a cross flashed in Asuka's mind. She barely had to repress a shudder, thought Rei had noticed it, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Asuka…you're alright?"

"I…I have seen terrible things Rei…I don't…"

"What did you see?"

Asuka shook her head, hoping to remove the horrible images that were implanted within her mind.

"I don't want to remember," she whispered.

Rei seated by her, keeping the hand on her shoulder, but Asuka leaned into the vampire, hoping Rei could chase the images away from her head.

"I'm scared," Asuka said, "I don't know what else to do."

Rei seemed to have froze, but only for a moment, before putter her arms around the redhead. Asuka found herself, leaning closer to Rei's form, snuggling against her. It was then Asuka heard a odd sound, coming from the vampire…it sounded almost like a…

"Are you purring?" she asked.

The sound stopped, "Sorry," Rei whispered.

Asuka let out a small chuckle, "I never thought Vampires could purr. Makes me think of a cat."

"I'm sure," Rei told her, and Asuka could hear the smirk in her tone.

One of Rei's hands was caressing her back in soothing circles, and Asuka found herself enjoying it immensely. She found it odd that Rei off all people could make her feel so relaxed and safe considering what Rei was.

"Rei, can I ask you something?"

Rei was silent for a moment before answering, "Sure."

Asuka gulped, knowing how stupid that was going to sound.

"Will you stay with me?" she asked, fearing Rei will refuse.

How wrong she was.

"Yes," Rei answered, her voice sounding much like a lullaby, "I'll stay with you forever."

It sounded so much like something a lover would say making Asuka blush slightly. She lied back down on the bed, and Rei lied beside her. Asuka looked at the vampire beside her, amazed at how beautiful Rei looked, the blue hair lying around her head in an azure crown. Then, Rei looked at her, the crimson red eyes finding her sky blue ones.

"What is it?"

"Give me your hand Rei," Asuka asked.

Rei did so, thought curious as to why, and Asuka took hold of her slim hand. It was soft and delicate looking but Asuka knew how powerful those hands were. She had expected to find the hands cold as ice, but they were surprisingly warm with life, and Asuka intertwined the pale fingers with her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. At that moment, she thought she was a flash of emotion in Rei's eyes but when she looked the emotion was gone as if it was never there.

"In stories, they said vampires are beautiful," Asuka said softly, "I never realized how true it was until now."

"Not only vampires Asuka," Rei whispered, "In their own ways, Humans are beautiful, probably more so than Vampires, you want to know why?"

"Why?"

"Humans have forgiveness in their hearts," Rei told her, "Because of that forgiveness; I'm still with you today."

A slight confusion showed on Asuka's face.

"Huh?"

"You've forgiven me, even after learning what I was," Rei said, looking at her, "after learning of what killed your parents. You have forgiven me, allowing me to live rather than have your revenge."

Asuka watched her, a look akin to amazement on her face.

"With that forgiveness in your heart, you'll always be beautiful," Rei told her, with a slight smile.

Asuka returned to smile, feeling all warm inside.

"Thank you, Rei."

Silence fell unto the room, the only sound coming from the falling rain outside.

Misato had taken a car from the Monastery garage so that she could go up the cathedral, wanting to know what Father Louis was planning for Asuka. She had started the car and was about to go when someone knocked on the window. Glancing at who it was, she pulled it down.

"Mind if I tag along?" the blonde vampire, Lilly, asked.

"Be my guest," Misato answered her.

The vampire gets into the car, and Misato drove off, the rain thundering into the hood of the car. Lilly hummed a song as the Hunter drove then, the woman broke the silence.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Lilly replied.

"What is Asuka to Rei?" Misato asked.

Lilly glanced at her, raising an eyebrow, but didn't elaborate.

"I mean…don't you find it strange Rei decided to tag along on this little trip?"

"I did found it strange," Lilly admitted, "but Rei doesn't tell me everything, or her reasons to do things. I just decided to tag along."

"Oh," Misato said.

She had hoped to find at least a answer from the blonde vampire, but it would seems she would have to talk to Rei directly to get what she was looking for. By the time they arrived at the cathedral, the rain had settled for a light drizzle, and Misato entered it, and stopped.

A giant hole had been blown into the ground and approaching to inspect, Misato saw another level below.

"Yep, Rei's been here alright," Lilly said glancing around, "But neither her nor Asuka's here anymore."

"How do you know?"

"Both Rei's and Asuka's scent are faint," Lilly said, "I can still track them down if there are still in the city. There is still someone there thought," she finished glancing down.

"Asuka's with Rei?"

"Yes, she must be," Lilly told her.

The two inspected the damage and arrived in the room with strange symbols as Lilly looked around, Misato finding Father Louis unconscious on the ground.

"Father Louis," she called.

The man groaned but didn't get up.

"I'm getting him out of here," Misato told her, "You go find Rei and Asuka, and tell her to stay put. I'll find her."

"How will you find us?" Lilly asked, curious.

"I can feel Asuka's energy flow," Misato told her, "I'll be able to find you."

Lilly nodded before disappearing from the room. Misato, then turned toward the unconscious man and carried him out of the room, hearing him murmurs things like, 'Destiny', 'Angel's Tears,' and 'Vampire'.

Eh hope that was good. ENjoy

Jacques0 out.

R&R