The group had been traveling and searching for the whole day now, but to no avail.  It was starting to get dark now.

"We've been searching all day, Kasai.  Can we please take a break now?" Flash complained.  "I'm tired."

Kasai sighed.  "Fine.  It's getting late anyway.  And it's a full moon tomorrow night, so we need all the rest we can get before then so we can watch out for werewolves."

Cory shuddered.  "I-I don't know whether to be r-relieved or u-upset that Doug isn't here..."

"I guess he's a WHERE-IS-WOLF now, eh?" Zakk said, snickering.  The group groaned.

"That isn't even funny..." Kasai muttered.

"...I tried." Zakk said, rolling his eyes.

"Eh, I'll give you credit for that." Flash muttered, giving him a rough smack on the back.  He smirked, apparently unfazed. 

"You can't hurt a dragon."

"Bet I can."  A sly smile spread across Flash's lips.

"Oh, stop, you two." Kasai muttered.

"Kasai's right.  Y'all need to help set up camp." Streak agreed, helping Katie with her tent.

"Fine, fine." Flash muttered.

Cory just sat off to the side a bit.  Kasai gave him a concerned look.  "Cory?  Are you feeling okay?"

"Y...yeah, I'm fine." Cory said, forcing a small smile.

"No, you're not.  What is it?"

Cory's smile faded and he gulped.  "W-well, I..."

"Cory..."

"....... IACCIDENTALLYFORGOTTOBRINGTHEALTERNATIVES!" he blurted out.

Kasai's eyes widened as she realized.  "You're hungry, aren't you?"

Cory hesitantly nodded once, looking away.  He flinched from hunger.

Kasai took a deep breath.

"...can we go somewhere...private for a moment..?"

Cory gave her a questioning look.  "Are you crazy?"

"Maybe."

"...that would actually explain a lot.  But whatever..."

Kasai nodded and grabbed his hand before starting to walk to a place hidden from the rest of the group, forcing Cory to follow behind.  Once, they were alone, she spoke again.

"... you can drink my blood."

He immediately froze and cringed away.  "What!?  No!  I'll end up killing you!  I-"

"A vampire can only kill someone if they drain too much of their blood.  As long as you don't drink too much, I'll be fine."

"No.  No, I won't do it.  I promised myself-"

"That doesn't matter, Cory.  You have to, or you're going to die."

"But what if I-"

"It'll be fine."

Tears filled Cory's eyes as he looked at Kasai.  He could sense she had fear in her as well.  Once a vampire starts drinking someone's blood, it's hard for them to stop, and both of them knew that.  It was risky for Kasai to let Cory drink hers.  "...just...do it.  I'll tell you if I'm not okay." Kasai promised.

Cory took a deep breath, but nodded.  "D...don't be afraid to stop me if I drink too much."

"Don't worry.  It'll be fine."

They both took a moment to slow their breathing and calm themselves down before Cory carefully sank his fangs into Kasai's neck.  She struggled not to flinch or squirm as she felt him bite down and begin to suck out her blood.  He hesitated when he tasted how sweet it was, almost like honey.  It easily started satisfying his hunger, and hd continued drinking.

After a little bit, she started feeling lightheaded.  "...C-cory, that's enough." she stuttered, her voice shaky.  Cory didn't pay attention to the warning at first, but after a quick tap on his hand, he got the message and stopped, licking the wound closed.

"..s-sorry." he stuttered, blushing and looking away.  "Y...your blood tastes sweet."  He licked his lips.

Kasai's now paler face reddened.  She didn't expect Cory to say that.  "I...I'm pretty sure all phoenix blood tastes like that, actually.  I haven't tasted it before, but-"

"No.  I...I was forced to drink phoenix blood when I was little after I got really sick.  My mom believes it has medicinal properties, since it's different from the blood of other creatures.  I still remember what it tastes like...and it's not nearly as sweet."

"... I-I'm sure it's just you." Kasai stuttered, now nervous.  She knew why her blood was sweeter than the blood of a normal phoenix, but she didn't want anyone to know...not even Cory.

He shrugged it off.  "S...sorry again for drinking so much...I didn't mean to-"

"No, no, it's fine.  I'm fine." she interrupted, trying to get up, but she stumbled forward.  Cory quickly leaped to his feet and caught her, letting her lean against him.

She gave a quiet, dizzy groan.  She felt like the world was spinning around her.  Her breathing was heavy, and her heart pounded against her chest to try replacing the blood she lost.  A small bruise was forming around the two red marks where Cory had bitten her.

"...c'mon, let's get back to the others.  Hopefully the tents are up by now so you can rest." Cory said gently.

"...t...thanks, Cory." Kasai whispered breathlessly, starting to limp back.  Cory carefully helped her to keep her from falling.  He felt guilty for draining so much blood out of her.  If he had just paid attention to the first warning...

He shook it off.  It wasn't his fault.  He couldn't help it.  He was just so hungry, and Kasai's blood tasted so sweet.  He started questioning if he really did correctly remember the taste of the phoenix blood before.

It wasn't too long before they were back.  The rest of the group were already in their tents, so Cory gently helped Kasai to hers and set her down.

"Get some rest.  Hopefully you'll feel better in the morning." he whispered, gently kissing her forehead and being careful not to let his fangs pierce her skin again.  She managed a small smile before slowly closing her eyes, drifting to sleep.

Cory looked at her for a moment to make sure her skin started regaining color before going back to his tent and going to sleep too.