Leon felt every effect of the bond, but he couldn't.

He remembered when he met...no. I won't curse her to be with me.

Bernard walks into his office and he looks at the boy.
"Are you really not going to give her a chance Master Leon?"

"Bernard please."

"No." He sternly says and Leon looks at him in shock. He's never spoken to me like that before.

"I apologize for my disrespect Master Leon, but you call me a friend so I'll speak to you like one. You are a coward." His eyes widen more.
"You're holding judgement on a girl you don't even know because of the fear of the past. She is not-"

"Do not say her name!" He shouts, slamming his hand on the table.

"She is not Kimberly." He says still and Leon stands to his feet, running to the boy grabbing him by his neck, slamming him against the wall.

"I said don't mention her Bernard!!"

"You need to let her go! She chose her path. She chose to kill herself. It was not your fault Leon. She used the bond against you."

"I am a monster!! She wanted no part of a monster!!" He yells, letting go of him.

"You didn't choose this Leon. You were about to die, and a man saved your life. You can't force someone to accept you. And you shouldn't blame yourself for it either." He walks over to his desk throwing everything off of it.

"Get out."

"No-"

"GET OUT BERNARD!!" He shouts, his fangs showing and eyes filled with so much anger. But Bernard knew his friend was only hurting.

"No." He screams loudly, turning around and slamming his fist down unto the table, causing it to break into two.
"You can trash the whole room. I'm still not leaving."

--

They stood in the middle of fully recked room. He stared at Bernard, feeling angry yet thankful towards the boy.

However with Shantelle, she was slowly getting sick, and she could feel it. Her heart was heavy and her body felt too tired.

She walks into work, and Mr. Logan notices immediately and goes over to her.

"Elle, your pale as a ghost."

"Well at least I'm a friendly ghost." She comments but he didn't laugh this time.
"Come I'll drop you back home."

"No. I have to work." She says trying to go pass him, but he grabs unto her arms.

"No. You're going home." He says, turning her around, carrying her to the car. He takes out his keys opening the door, and she goes in.

"Just let me close up okay?" She nods and he closes the door, running back in the store getting his wallet and running back out. When returned to the car, she was coughing badly.

Handing her his handkerchief, he watches as she seemed to lose even more color. When she pulled away the handkerchief, their was a slight stain of blood on it.

He feels his natural instincts kick in, but he shoves it down. Having lots of practice to control his thirst.

"Am I a fool Mr. Logan? Waiting for a man who doesn't seem to want me." She whispers, looking down at the bloody cloth.

"There must be a reason why he's not showing himself." She looks to him.

"You know don't you?" He nods.
"Are you a vampire as well?" She softly asks, and He nods again.

"How haven't you eaten me yet?" He chuckles.

"I'm not really fond of Dawnlys." That made her smile a bit. She looks back down at the cloth in her hand.

"Am I going to die?"

"I would tie him up and keep him near you if I have to." She looks to him again, a look of determination in his eyes. Giving him a small smile, she gets comfortable in her seat, and he starts the car,driving off.

-

He had to help her up the stairs, and into her bed. It's as if she gets weaker and weaker as time goes by.

He walks over to the small kitchen, getting her some water and the sleeping pills he gave her.

She normally has problems sleeping. Sleeping for only about 2-3 hours and then waking up, but now he's sure it has gotten worse to the point where he knows she didn't sleep at all.

She takes them without a fight, then proceeding to lie down. Taking one of the chairs from the dining table, sitting down near her bed.

"You know Mr. Logan...you're the closet thing to family to me." She mutters so softly, a regular human would not of heard her, but he's not regular and most definitely not human.

"Same here buttercup."

"I never knew why my parents didn't want me, and I don't want to know."

"Well it's their loss because you're a gem." He tells her and the corner of her lips tilt up slightly. Her eyes half open.

"Why doesn't he see that?" She mutters, tears beginning to fall from her eyes again.

"Maybe he'll see soon." He gentle caress her hair.

It wasn't long, before the sleeping pills kicked in and she was sound asleep. Writing a little note for her, letting her know he'll be back after work to check on her.

He walks to the door, watching her. A heavy sigh leaves his mouth, and he leaves.

Time to meet this man.

--

He stood in the shadows, as he always would, waiting to see her. Bernard standing behind him as he always would.

The time she would normally pass comes but she doesn't. Ten minutes pass again, and before he knew it, he was already standing in front of her workplace.

Mr. Logan sat at the counter, waiting for him to arrive. He enters the store, anxiety coursing through his entire being.

"Shantelle?" He calls out, looking around not finding her. Mr. Logan ignores him, continuing to type on the desktop.
"Where is Shantelle?!" He shouts hitting the counter. Bernard grabs unto his arm but he rips it from his hold.

He looks to him, but doesn't answer at first. But Leon growls at him at him and he says,
"I thought you didn't care."

"Please." He begs this time.

"So now you care?" He asks, folding his arms.
"You've been ignoring her for days now, and have only been hurting her."

Leon stands straighter.

"She's not her happy self anymore, she's confused and doesn't understand why she feels the way she feels and the person who is suppose to explain it to her is being a fool!" He hits the counter.

"You know what happens when the bond is rejected. I won't let you make my sunshine set. I will lock you up if I have to."

"He won't please." Bernard pleads on Leon's behalf.

"You're not her mate." He points to Bernard.
"And you haven't answered." He refers to Leon.

--

Logan didn't agree to him seeing her, but he knows he was the only one who would make her feel better. His presence only, would make a big difference.

So, he locked the store and now they're on their way to her apartment.

He was not to wake her up, but simply be there.

"Again. Do not wake her up." Mr Logan warns him.
"I don't need her seeing you if all you're going to do is leave again."

His eyes immediately connect to her frail body on the bed when they enter. Her heartbeat was slow, and weak.

Mr Logan and Bernard stayed by the door, watching.

He walks closer to her, taking in how pale she has become. The heaviness he felt was almost overwhelming for him.

He hasn't felt like this in decades. Promised he would never feel it again, but here she was.

A second chance of a sort.

Kneeling down at her side, as if knowing he was there her body subconsciously moves closer to him. The small action making him smile.

He couldn't help himself from gently stroking her cheek, making sure not to wake her per Logan's request.

His smile broadens when she releases a soft sigh.

Bernard and Mr. Logan stood watching the two, as hours passed.

Her complexion going back to its natural state. Her heartbeat a lot stronger now, and it gave Logan's heart ease.

He couldn't stop starting at her. She was indeed beautiful.

"We should take our leave now Master Leon. She's about to wake." He hears Bernard say.

He knew the boy was right. He felt it too.

Stroking her face with his thumb one more, he leans forward placing a soft kiss unto her forehead.

Bernard watches the moment with a small smile. Hope filling him for his friend.

Maybe he'll finally give it a chance again.

----

Muses for...

Leon Kim

Bernard Jung