If I wanted even a chance of finding Yuki, I needed resources. I should probably go back to my clan anyways and let them know where the Hell I've been. In Earth time, I've been gone for a year and a half. I'm sure they've assumed I'm dead and moved on with their lives. They all trusted and respected Angelo just as much as me. It goes without saying that the mantel of master has fallen upon his shoulders.

After identifying a few more landmarks, I realized I was in New Jersey. I grabbed a quick meal and robbed my victim of their money in order to buy a train ticket to Scranton. I'm too weak to travel a long distance in my shadow form right now. I needed an excuse to catch some sleep, too. You know, that makes me wonder if they still kept my coffin around. Ange might've taken it for himself, if I'm right in thinking he's become the new master. Or, he might've buried it somewhere if they've come to assume me dead. That seems like a waste of a perfectly good coffin, if you ask me.

A day later, I was back home in the Electric City. Instead of immediately going into my shadow form, I decided to walk for a bit and enjoy the town I loved so dearly. While fall was ending in the other realm, spring was just beginning here. The night was still quite chilly. I stopped when I reached the courthouse. It was a beautiful, old building surrounded by historic statues. That's not what I came for, though. Just across the street, I could see the Electric City sign lit up. It always looked so beautiful at night.

Seeing it in person for the first time in what felt like forever, that's what made everything set in. I helped build this city from the ground up. I watched it grow and develop with the same love and care of a parent. Now, I'm abandoning my child for a new lover who's scorned me. When I told Ricky I'd stay with him, I was so damn certain. Now, I'm not too sure. I really am giving up a lot for his pissy ass.

I kept on walking until I felt it was time I stop lagging around. Part of me feared the return. I'm not sure what I'll find, how everyone will react. Only one way to find out. I allowed my shadow form to carry me to the crypts I once called home. There were so many new scents, new recruits. They'd been busy while I was gone, and I doubt those who were unfamiliar with me would take very kindly to my intrusion. I sneaked through the tunnels until I reached what was previously my quarters.

Slipping under the door, I re-materialized myself once inside. Still, I remained cautious and hidden. Not much had changed, beyond the addition of Angelo's art on the wall. He always was so incredibly talented. I heard the door open and quickly recessed into the shadows. When the smell of apples and pumpkin spice entered the air, I knew it was my old friend. Angelo carefully shut the door behind him, scanning the darkness. Even after all these years, his eyes aren't as sharp as mine, but his other senses were. He knew he wasn't alone.

No point in hiding. When I stepped forward, he only stared, not knowing what to say. I can't blame him. I'm not sure what I'd do if I were in his position. He's probably wondering if I'm even real, and if so, what I'm doing here. I didn't want to startle him anymore, so I waited for him to make the first move. After a moment of silence, there was an abrupt knock at the door.

A female came through from the other side, "We're going hunting. Would you like to join us, Master?"

"Not tonight." He responded, his voice as gentle as ever. For a vampire, he always sounded like an angel. Holding true to his namesake. Once he was sure they were gone, he finally addressed me. "Chris... Is- Is it really you?"

"You know it is, Ange." I replied.

He hesitated just a second, then ran over and hugged me. "I thought you were dead. We looked everywhere for you."

"Well, not everywhere." I remarked, "Long story short, I accidentally fell through a dimensional rift, ending up in another realm, fell in love with a demon, made some new friends. And, one that honestly felt like an old friend, once I figured out who he was. Honestly, Ange, I didn't think I'd have to end up in a whole ass new realm to finally meet that human you used to fawn over."

Angelo pulled back, looking understandably confused. "What?"

"Ryan. I met him." I smiled as I thought back to our trip to the wastelands together. "He carries a picture of you around with him. When he talks about you, it's about the only time he shows any kind of human emotion."

That got a small laugh out of him, "He hates everyone. I... I tried to go see him, about a year ago, but I couldn't find him. I guess I know why now. Did he come back with you?"

"No." I sighed, "Again, it's a long story. Maybe we should find a better place to talk."

Though I wanted to get a move on with my plan, I owed it to Angelo to give a proper explanation. I wouldn't even have this immortal existence without him. He continued to run my empire after I just vanished, and he kept a level head when I magically reappeared out of nowhere. Plus, if it weren't for him, Ryan would probably still hate me. He only treats me decently now because of the connection we have through Ange.

We went back to my old crypt. It was just as I'd left it. Angelo and I sat down on a bench, below the sea of vines and flowers. I missed this place. He listened closely as I told him everything, from waking up in the ogre village, up to Ville opening a portal for me to get back here. As we sat there, talking for hours on end and laughing together, I was reminded why I called him my best friend. I may have been the one to rise to power as master, but it was Angelo who turned me many, many years ago. He was actually older than me, though not by too much. I felt terrible for how badly I worried him and the lengths he went to in efforts to discover what happened to me.

Once I told him I wanted to find Yuki, he returned with the best damn news I'd heard in a while. "That was one of the first places I checked when you went missing. I know exactly where he is. After he left you, he went back to Japan. He has a house in Kyoto."

Why the Hell would he go back? I know he was always attached to his home country, but that was where he was murdered. Well, at least he didn't go back to Tokyo specifically. Not that it really mattered. Those who harmed him probably think he's still dead, and he's smart enough to avoid them. Most people would've been resentful towards the site of their greatest tragedies. Yuki was never that way. His heart held onto love and compassion only. Because of that, he knew exactly how to pluck away my anger and hatred.

—

You're probably wondering how a vampire, who has no government ID, can manage to travel to an island across the globe. Well, thankfully, there are a few vampires out there gifted with the ability to teleport. Angelo enlisted one of his younger followers to help out. Of course, she could only teleport so far and it still took us a few days to get there. She and Angelo remained at a hotel in the heart of Kyoto, noting that it wouldn't have been appropriate for them to tag along. I knew they were right, but damn it, I didn't want to go alone.

Am I seriously doing this? This is absolutely insane. What if he gets mad? He rarely ever did, but that's because I almost never went against my word. When he left, I promised him I wouldn't go looking for him. Then, I made a promise to Ryan that I'd bring Angelo to our new realm. I promised he wouldn't have to decide between his family and his love. So, this really just comes down to who I felt like betraying. After all that happened with Ricky, there is this fucked up voice in the back of my head that wants to see Yuki for other reasons.

I'm not going to sneak into his house like I'd done with Angelo. It's a little different because he's not a vampire like us. I'm not really sure what he is anymore. It's been fourteen years now since I'd last seen him. Ange said he didn't look like he'd aged at all. That may be just his genetics, or it may mean he's become something supernatural. Who knows. I should stop stalling and just knock on the damn door.

I felt even more sick to my stomach now that I did on that pirate ship. My brain was screaming at me to run away. I could hear footsteps nearing the door, each counting down the seconds I had remaining to change my mind. The scent of warm vanilla bean grew stronger and stronger. Just as that nerve triggered to cause me to start to turn back, the door opened.

There stood the man I'd given my everything for, in the flesh. For the first time, in fourteen goddamn years. Yuki had cut his lustrous blonde hair short and dyed it brown. His eyes still glowed like green stained glass, and his skin was as flawless as porcelain. My beautiful little elf, you haven't aged a day. What have I done to you?

The first words out of my mouth were, "I'm sorry. I know, I made a promise."

Yuki took a quick glance around the deserted street. We were on the outskirts of town, at night in a very respectful country. It was dead quiet here. He grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into the house quickly. As he shut the door behind us, he said, "I'm glad you're okay. When I heard you were missing, I was worried."

"Yuki-"

"It's okay, Chris." He had such an angelic voice, just like Angelo. It was deeper than you'd expect to come out of that tiny body, but that was quite normal for Japanese men.

"Are there people here looking to hurt you?" I asked, in reference to his suspicious behavior before.

"No," He said, "But there are people here who would hurt you."

I gently smiled, "I can take care of myself. Don't worry. I'm sorry to do this to you. I promised I'd stay out of your life, but I... I need your help. I can leave, if you want me to."

"Hey," He placed his thin fingers delicately over my hands, "I told you it was okay." Yuki reached up to my face, pulling down my mask. He wasn't scared in the least bit. "You haven't eaten in awhile, have you?"

Well, actually, I ate about- Oh, shit. I guess that was five days ago, now. Even the meal I had in New Jersey hadn't been very satisfying. Humans here didn't seem to fill me up the way they did in the other realm. They tasted cheap and gave me minimal satisfaction.

I laughed nervously, "I guess not."

"Let's go sit down." Yuki took me by the hand, leading me into another room. Most the lights in his house were turned off. I'm sure he was on his way to bed before I arrived. When Yuki turned on a small desk lamp, I realized we were in his bedroom. I didn't smell anyone else nearby. He lives alone, and he doesn't have any visitors.

"How long have you been here?" I asked.

"Hmm, nine years? Nine or ten. I stayed somewhere else for awhile trying to save up for this place. I like it here. It's quiet." Yuki sat down on the edge of his bed, expecting me to do the same.

It actually feels kind of weird, like this is some strange dream. Hell, when I was actually in a dream, it felt more realistic than this does. I guess it's too surreal for me to handle right now.

Yuki loosened the tie of his kimono, letting the fabric slip down his shoulder. He was just as breathtaking as I remember, and so damn small, like a doll. All the scars I'd left on him remained, albeit faint along his milky white skin. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?" He grinned kindly, "You should eat."

"I- I should, but not from you. I shouldn't even be here."

He rested his head on my shoulder, peering up at me with those precious eyes. "Hey, for the hundredth time, it's okay. I don't care about the promise. I'm... Actually kind of happy to see you. I think about you a lot."

"Really?" I blurted out. When I was around him, I lost my ability to be the suave, sensual vampire. I was always a complete nerd, weak to his fair beauty. "Why didn't you come see me, then?"

"I don't know. Just didn't seem like a good idea, I guess." He then giggled, "Don't change the subject. You're starved. I can see it."

I asked him if he was positive about this. The act of being bitten by a vampire isn't much different than sex. I didn't want him to feel like he just had a regrettable one night stand with a shitty ex. Yuki reassured me that he was okay. Well, if he was going to insist...

—

a/n

I know you guys must be thinking, hoe calm down with the updates, but I just love this story so much. Anyways, first pic is what Yuki looked like when he and Chris first dated, second pic is him now <3