Chi knelt in the tall bushes that the dark green forest had to offer. His long pale tapered fingers casually picked through the closely knitted purple orchids. His golden brown eyes scanning the leaves and pedals for what he was searching for. He had been out searching for days for a rare and ancient herb that could help heal a child in his village but he was having no luck at all and his time was extremely pressed.

He had traveled for days but he would not stop until he found it. He was not a native in the lands he was searching in. His long red hair and pale skin was an obvious sign of that. His slender body and sly dark grace were extremely out of place in this beautiful peaceful forest. His glorious red hair was pulled back into a high ponytail that was left falling perfectly straight down his back to his hips, only a few small trindles caressed his thin smooth face. His skin and appearance had taken on a flawless appearance and texture which could only be connected to an immortal creature. As he knelt in the bushes, light all around him, his dark red coat and black clothing were very noticeable. Even though Chi was uncomfortable traveling in the daylight, the vampire would stop at nothing to help the child and that was what he intended to do.

He should not have been out there but Niah could not help but have felt drawn to the mysterious forest that surrounded the border of his tribe. He had been walking around for hours simply examining all that he could lay his lavender colored eyes on. The day was very warm, the large golden sun high up in the sky by now but the light it reflected was shielded by the vast amount of trees that filled the green forest. He had chosen to wear a simple white tunic that contrasted poorly with his bronze colored flesh. His pants were that of long emerald colored material that seemed soft if touched. His feet were left bare, dirt sticking to them here and there. His hair fell down to the middle of his lean back in silver waves. He knew he should turn back soon for he had been gone for a long time, but something within the large tree covered area kept him from turning around.

Chi sighed in dismay as he realized yet again the plant he had been looking for was not among the flower he had been searching. He leaned back against the large trunk of the tree which he had been kneeling at, the tell-tale grass and dirt stains showing for his effort. He didn't know what he was going to do. What if he was already too late to help the child? He rested his head back against the tree and gazed up into the clean blue sky. He must have been very far from home because Chi could not remember the sky ever looking like that before but then again, Chi did not venture outside in the daylight too often. The sun left him feeling weak and extremely tired but it was not at any means fatal. He supposed that vampires were not meant to be creatures of the light since where his village and people lived the sun only appeared for three hours a day before it disappeared once more behind the mountains to the East. Chi cast one desperate glance around him before he closed his eyes. He had been walking for days and this was the first time he had allowed himself even the slightest bit of rest. He could not travel on very much longer if this continued.

The feeling of what he was drawn to was becoming stronger. Niah crawled over a log that appeared to have fallen a long time ago and cast his eyes to the left of him. It was coming from there, he was close. He headed in that direction and a dark figure came into view. It was that of a person resting against a tree. His lavender eyes lit up with curiosity. Whoever the person was, they were not from here. Their features were far too pale. He stopped about 20 feet away, just observing quietly, not yet ready to make any sound.

Golden-brown eyes flew open with a start and drifted in Niah's direction. Chi stared at the man, obviously he had sensed him but he had never had someone sneak up on him before without his notice when they got within a hundred feet. He knew he should get to his feet, it provided a better chance in a struggle but he was so tired. As it was, Chi was having problems just simply keeping his eyes open. "Who are you?" The vampire managed to get out. Chi wondered how he could even manage a sentence in his state. Stopping to rest had only made the vampire all the more aware that he needed it.

"Hello! I was just passing by when I noticed you. Usually not many people tend to walk in these woods." Niah began to walk forwards, closing the gap between the two until they were only about 8 feet apart. He gazed down at Chi thoughtfully. "My name is Niah... You are foreign to these lands aren't you."

"Yes. My name is Chi." He pushed wearily onto his feet, leaning heavily against the tree. "Where am I? I seemed to have wandered farther away from my village than I had intended."

"You are on the outskirts of the Aalijian territory. You look as if you haven't slept in ages. Have you been traveling for long?" Niah asked, his voice soft. He took another step closer to Chi, even more curious than before. It wasn't very often that he got to see a foreigner.

"Aalijian territory?" Chi looked around the area, a stricken expression flying across his face. His eyes narrowed and he slid along the tree until his back was no longer pressed against it. He took a few steps away from Niah. "I'm sorry. I have traveled farther than I intended. I have no place here."

"Is something the matter? You know, my village is not very far from here. You look like you could use some rest. I am sure you would be most welcome to come and spend a few hours to sleep and get back on your feet." Niah followed Chi, closing the gap once more.

"I believe that is not an option unless you want me killed." Chi glanced swiftly into Niah's eyes. "I am a vampire." He stated this slowly but proudly. He took a step towards Niah then stopped. "I cannot go to your village."

"A vam...pire...really?!" Niah suddenly exclaimed loudly, causing a few of the near-by creatures to scatter about in fear. "I have never seen a vampire before!" His lavender eyes were huge and lit up with curiosity now more than ever.

"Well now you have." Chi smiled faintly, his at-the-moment small fangs quite noticeable. "If you will allow me, I have several hours to travel before I can rest safely, please let me leave. I mean no harm to you or your tribe."

"Hn...may I ask one question though? Chi?" Niah asked, saying the other's name for the first time. He continued to observe Chi, his eyes lingering in his fangs before darting back up to his eyes.

"What is it?" Chi placed his hand against the tree to steady himself. He was ready to drop.

"Why are you so far away from your home? If you do not intend to harm my tribe, then why are you here?" Niah reached up to play with a strand of his silver hair.

"A child in our village is ill. I am searching for an herb called Lorcous Orchid to cure her." Chi answered swiftly, he cast another urgent glance around the forest, hoping perhaps he would find something he had missed.

"Lorcous Orchid..." Niah became thoughtful. He brought his gaze upward to look at the green leaves that fluttered in the warm breeze. "I have heard of that before...but it is not in these parts I'm afraid."

"Thank you. I will continue my search." Chi moved away from the tree and staggered a bit before he regained his balance. He shook his head fiercely, fighting off exhaustion.

"Wait! You really should rest...and I know where you can find it!" Niah quickly rushed forward and grabbed a hold of Chi's shoulders, helping to steady him. "It's not that far. A couple days travel if you go by foot. It is on the other side of the Aalijian territory."

"You do not seem to understand the danger of this situation, Niah." Chi slumped in Niah's hands. "I cannot travel into your territory. I would be killed even if I passed through it..." He closed his eyes wearily.

"If you will not go through the territory then you will have to go around it. Thought the mountains on the western boarder. I am not sure how long of a journey that will be... This time of year there tends to be a lot of rain up there so there are a lot of mudslides..." Niah put his arms around Chi's body so he could support his weight. He slid the two of them to the ground, Niah sitting on the warm earth and Chi in his lap.

Chi rested his head on Niah's shoulder. "Yes...it will be a long journey...I have been traveling for eight days...I haven't stopped to rest yet..the child..." He mumbled weakly.

"How sick was she when you left?" Niah asked. He shifted beneath Chi, getting comfortable.

"Very...the healers are sure how long she will last...she's my niece...I shouldn't stop looking..." Chi opened his eyes with a great effort and tried to get out of Niah's lap.

"Shh. You need to rest. What good will it do to work yourself to the point of passing out. That won't be helping your niece at all." Niah tightened his hold on Chi, keeping him there. "It is mid day now so it will become night in a couple of hours. If you rest until then it will do you some good."

Chi collapsed back against Niah, going weightless. "Perhaps you are right, Niah..." He murmured. "Wise..." He buried his face back against Niah's chest. "Tell me about you."

"About me? Hmm...let me see... I am not yet considered an adult in the eyes of my tribe yet... I have three siblings, two older and one younger. " Niah gently ran his fingers through Chi's red hair. "I have wings..."

"Your siblings...are they male or female?" Chi lifted his head and removed his hair tie, letting the long strands completely cover Niah's hands. He rested back in his original position with a deep sigh.

"Out of the older two, one is a female and the other is male. The younger one is male as well." Niah moved his hand up to rub the back of Chi's head in a soothing manner.

"Do you get along with them?" Chi wrapped his arms loosely around Niah's waist. "Do you all live together?"

"My older brother is out fighting in the war...my sister is married and has children. I would have to say that I get along with my younger brother best." Niah tilted his head back to look up at the sky filtering through the trees. "Enough about me...what about you?"

"I...I was orphaned at birth. I wandered around from village to village until I was becoming a mature child. The Turiusk Tribe Leader took me in. He had a three daughters. He considered me a son I suppose. My sister, Hanui, was killed during the first raid of our village. Durid left the village to fight in the war as well. My last sister is the youngest, Halmala, stays in the village. Her daughter Trica is the one that is ill. She's an only child...I can't have her die..." Chi sighed and opened his eyes. "I am a vampire so of course I feed on blood. It may disgust you but that is the only way I can live."

"Hey, to each their own." Niah shrugged lightly. "We are all different. No one can ever change that... I think this whole war that is going on is pointless...You should get some rest Chi. You only have so much time before it is dark." He glanced down at the red head.

Chi glanced up into Niah's lavender eyes. "Yes. Thank you, Niah. I am grateful for your kindness." He closed his eyes and rested his face in the curve of Niah's neck. "I don't know what would have happened to me..."

"You would have fallen asleep and some giant animal would have made you it's evening meal." Niah murmured, the corners of his lips quirking upwards. He shifted around to be able to rest his back against a tree.

"Most likely." Chi laughed softly. "I doubt I would taste good..." He yawned.

"You look like you would...you never know." Niah whispered, his own eyes closing. "Sleep well Chi."

HOURS LATER

Chi shifted. He felt better than he had felt in days. He opened his eyes and noticed he was staring at the forest trees. What had he..? Niah! He turned to look at the angel. Had he been sleeping all this time?

Niah's back was still propped up against the tree. His head lulled to the side towards his neck, leaving the left side of his throat exposed. He still continued to sleep, not noticing Chi's wakeful state. The pale moonlight drifted through the openings of the trees, shining down upon the two making Niah's silver hair glow.

Chi ran his fingers through Niah's hair, thoughtfully. A smile curving his lips. "Thank you." He whispered. He leant forward and pressed a small kiss to Niah's forehead.

"Hnn...Chi...?" Niah whispered, his voice hoarse with sleep. His lavender eyes fluttered before opening fully to gaze up at the other. "Are you leaving now...?"

"It would be wise. Your family must miss you." Chi threaded his fingers in Niah's hair as he drew back. "You stayed with me..." He rested his forehead against Niah's. "Thank you so much."

"I couldn't leave you for that creature to eat now could I?" Niah asked playfully, now wide awake. "Do you feel better now that you are more rested?"

"I feel a lot better." Chi's smile grew. "I just need to go feed and I should be back to normal." He sighed deeply. "Niah, I--" Movement and voices cut off Chi's words. "Niah!?"

Niah gasped and quickly sat up. His lavender eyes were wide. "Oh no...they have come to look for me..."

Chi quickly moved out of Niah's lap. He glanced around urgently for a hiding place. "Niah, they'll kill me!" He whispered.

Niah stood up and looked in the direction of where his tribe was. Thinking of what to do, the angel made up his mind fast. Grabbing Chi's hand he pulled him in the direction opposite of the others. "Come on! Quick!" He whispered before breaking into a run.

"Niah, what are you doing?" Chi whispered. "They are looking for you." He could see well, a vampire trait, in the dark and he could see Niah's tribe following them. "A cave!" He hissed and tugged Niah into it.

Niah went as far back into the cave, Chi's hand still in his. He sat down, his breath coming out in short gasps. He kept silent for fear of making too much noise and them being caught.

"Niah??" His tribe voices were growing near. Chi's grip tightened on his hand. He seemed like he had stopped breathing all together.

Niah pulled Chi tightly against his chest, clinging to him. He bit his lip and held his breath, his eyes glued to the opening of the cave.

"Niah?? Niah!!" The voices sounded very worried. They slowly began to fade as the group moved farther and farther away. Chi breathed a sigh of relief, stilling clinging to Niah.

'Forgive me...' Niah thought silently. "How long should we wait before going out?" He whispered into Chi's ear.

"I'm not sure...You should probably return home, Niah. You're taking a great risk for me." Chi stroked Niah's hair.

"I have decided...I am coming with you." Niah pulled away enough so he could look Chi in the eye. "I know the land that you must travel. I know what parts are safe for you and which ones aren't."

"Niah...your home...your family..." Chi's eyes widened. "You cannot give all that up for me! At least return to them an explain where you are going. Just do not mention me. They deserve to know." Chi gripped Niah's shoulder. "Are you sure you wish to do this?"