Cat looked around fearfully, she had no idea where she was. The landscape was dry and barren, the sun burned blood red, yet it was terribly cold to her. She wrapped her arms around herself as she looked around her, there was nothing to use as a landmark, no stones, no trees, no people. It was a dead world, there wasn’t even any sound. Sighing deeply Cat began to walk across the windswept plain, hoping to find a clue as to where she was, and more importantly why. After several miles of nothingness, Cat finally decided to try calling out for someone, not usually the brightest thing to do when you’re lost in an obviously hostile place, but she was running low on ideas and on warmth, and her body was beginning to ache horribly. Taking a deep breath, Cat let out a long, high pitched call, the sound was deafening in the silence. She waited a few moments, then shook her head, where ever she was..... she didn’t like it. She continued walking, even though her muscles burned with pain at every step. She knew if she stopped, if she gave up, she would die here. . .

Sirius stared at Cat, she was so cold... and her breathing sounded terrible. How he hated watching her go through this, if she were stronger he may have been able to talk her through it. Lily had shown him how, she had taught him to tap into her thoughts, it was very hard and painful, but there was nothing he would not do for her. He grit his teeth, he hated the feelingthat is what was the hardest, the feeling of helplessness, all he could do was hold her, stroke her hair and hope she would be alright. Sirius held her as tightly as he dared, gently rocking her and humming softly in her ear.

Cat lifted her head, she had heard something.... She looked around in disbelief, what in this wasteland could have made any noise. She stood frozen, straining her ears as she waited to hear it again, although at the moment, all she could hear was her own thundering heart. Taking several deep breaths, Cat calmed her heart and listened quietly again....... there it was, ....it sounded so mournful, as if someone was keening over a lost love. “Well not like I have a choice” she sighed as she turned and walked towards the sound. She began climbing up a steep incline that appeared out of nowhere, the sound was getting louder as she climbed higher. Her heart pounded viciously against her chest as she forced herself to climb higher, the pain was nearly unbearable as she reached the top and prompted fell into a gaping pit. Cat screamed as she felt herself falling, only to groan pitifully as she slammed into the sides of the pit on her way to the bottom. Trying to stop herself, Cat yelled MALL STAD, as she slowed her descent, unfortunately not enough to prevent her from a rough landing, but at least nothing was broken.

Cat crouched down, she heard the sound again.... cautiously she surveyed her new surroundings. Jagged rocks thrust up out of the ground at odd angles, the ground was dusty and deep red, and the sky had a sickly cast to it. It reminded her of a nightmare, this was a place where only despair could survive. Her ears pri.cked up as she heard the sound again, turning around slowly she saw several figures behind her. They were dressed in hooded robes, one in black, one in grey, and one in a putrid color she could only describe as sickness. Hesitantly Cat approached them, the black one was closest to her, she watched as he began to shake, falling to his knees as a bright light shone within his robes. Frightened Cat quickly ran back, and as she did so, the light faded causing the figure to become shriveled. Taking a deep breath she approached the black figure once more, and again the same thing happened, only this time he walked towards her, his pale hand extended beckoning to her.

Cat froze, she had no idea what to do, she kept reminding herself this was only a dream, and dreams are meant to teach you. As the black figure touched her she felt suddenly hot, as if a passion had been stirred within her. She gasped as she felt strong yet gentle hands working her body into a frenzy, building her passion with each touch. She looked at the black figure, his hand hadn't moved it was still resting on her arm, but the caresses she felt were all too real to her. She pulled away as a moan escaped her lips, that’s when she heard it again. The soft mournful sound she had followed here, it was the grey figure. He stood further away than the others, and there was something so sad about his demeanor. Cat looked back at the black figure, she was curious as to how he could arouse her passion so quicly, but she felt drawn towards the mysteries of the grey one. He stood there passively as if afraid to approach her, but yearning for her all the same. As she took a step towards the grey figure she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye, it was the third figure. The one that reminded her of a sickness, it was moving menacingly towards her. Cat immediately moved away, she shuddered violently as the sickened figure continued to move towards her, Cat felt physically ill as she heard the slurping and gurgling sounds every time the figure took a step. It was as if the creature were drowning in its own fluids.

Cat had back up as far as she could, behind her was a large sharp stone and there wasn’t enough room to maneuver her way around the creature. Cat shut her eyes tightly, knowing that if the creature touched her she would more than likely die. “No” Cat said softly as the putrid smell of the creature assaulted her senses “no, please. . someone . .help me.” As if in answer to her call, the grey figure stood in front of her, protecting her from the diseased one. Cat cringed in pain and fear as she heard the grey figure scream out in pain and horror as the sickened one touched him. Something in Cat snapped at that moment, it wasn’t right, he hadn’t done anything, he had only tried to protected her. Cat felt a burning within her, her anger rose inside of her like a roaring fire. She felt herself scream as the power erupted out of her, hitting the diseased figure with full force, knocking it across the ground, leaving a glistening, puss filled trail to mark its course.

Cat stood their gasping for air, .... why had she done that, it wasn’t like her to anger so easily, not unless clannad was involved. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, looking down at the grey figure she asked “mo clannad?” he looked at her strangely, “my family?.. are you of my family?”

Although she could not see his face, she could tell he was crying, he stood up and faced her, grabbing at his chest. She shook her head, she didn’t understand. He reached out to touch her, but hesitated his hand hovering withing inches of her cheek. Once again he pulled back and touched his chest, struggling pitifully, trying to undo his robe. Cat swallowed hard and walked up to him, and very gently unfastened the top few buttons of his robe.

As the material fell away the figure reached up and reached inside his chest. He turned his hooded face to Cat as he made a pitiful sound, he stood there shaking as he pulled his hand out of his chest and offered its contents to Cat.

She gasped, it was a flame, a living flame it was a fire forged of love and protection, and it had people inside of it. Once again the figure pleaded with her to take it, almost numbly Cat did so, cupping her hands as the figure tenderly placed his flame into her hands. She watched the dancing flame closely, she wanted to see who the figure was protecting. Cat began to cry when she saw the first figure, she knew him well, it was her own son, Harry. She looked up at the figure “But how..?” he shook his head and pointed back to the flame. Cat obediently returned her gaze to the flame in her hand and nearly fainted..... she was staring at her own face. The tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked up at the figure “Who are you?” she asked as she offered him back his flame. He put his hands up in front of his chest and shook his head sadly.

“But it belongs to you” Cat insisted as the figure wrapped his thin, pale hands around her own, she was surprised at the warmth of his skin. Once again the figure reached out to touch her, only to be stopped by the black figure who roughly pulled at his arm. Cat could feel the grey figure’s pain as his flame flickered weakly in her hands, the black figure wanted her, it wanted to possess her, she could feel his jealously and pain as he attacked the grey one. “No, stop it” she said forcefully, stepping in between the black and grey figures. The black figure stared at her before sulking off once again, Cat turned for the last time to the grey figure as she tried to place the flame back in his chest. Gently he placed his hands on her arms and in a hoarse whisper said “I gave my heart to you. .... I don’t want it back”

Cat stood there in shock, “Who are you?” she asked as she reached up to pull back his hood. As her fingers touched the rough fabric of his robe, she felt a tremendous tug, as if someone had taken hold of her soul and was trying to remove it from her body. She screamed as she felt herself spinning into unconsciousness, grasping the living flame to her own heart as she spiralled into darkness. . .

Sirius was nearly frantic, he was holding on to Cat as best he could but she was frightened of something. He pinned her arms to her sides as she began to fight against him. “Please Cat.. Please snap out of it...” he pleaded. He could see the bruises appearing on her body as he pulled back the covers “Sweet mother of heaven” he said as she whimpered, “Cat... I don’t know what to do....”

“Hold on to her for all you’re worth... and get those blankets back on her” Cash said quickly “bundle her in the blankets. That will keep her arms pinned down, she won’t be able to hurt herself that way.” Sirius did exactly as Cash had instructed, and between the two of them managed to wrap her tightly in her covers. “That’s it Sirius” Cash said as he gently lifted her “now, you get on the bed, brace your back against the headboard” as soon as Sirius was in place Cash placed his precious mortal child back in Sirius's arms.

“Now listen closely” Cash said as he grabbed Sirius’s chin, he wanted to make sure he had his full attention “Angel is in a bad way,... a very bad way... hold on to her. Talk to her. Sing, touch, tell jokes .. I don’t care. But it is *very* important that you keep at least part of her anchored her with you.” he said as he ran towards the door.

“CASH!!!! Where are you going... don’t leave us like this!” Sirius pleaded, he didn’t know what to do, he needed help.

“Relax and do what I’ve told you” Cash snapped “I need to get Mohrg, he has elixirs to help her. Just hold her Sirius, its all you can do”

Sirius watched as Cash literally disappeared before his eyes, he embraced Cat tightly as he snuggled against her long soft hair. “I swear, I will never leave you Cat.. I gave you my heart years ago. . . I never asked for it back, I never wanted it back” the tears streamed down his face as he heard her groan pitifully. “Please Kitty... hold on, for Harry’s sake, and for mine.” He began rocking her again “I want you to love me again. I want to marry you and have a family, just like we planned years ago.... a big family, with Harry ..... I know he’ll be a good brother, and I promise you, I'll be a good father.” Sirius smiled sadly as he thought of everything that had been stolen from him. It was bad enough that he had done something so stupid, but then to finally have found out where Cat was. Even the fact of narrowing it down to a country was amazing.. And its not like Japan was that large. Lily had found out and told him, he was getting ready to leave to find her.... he just wanted to check on Peter one last time before he left. . .

Sirius was snapped out of his thoughts by Cash and Mohrg entering the room. Sirius was still a bit put off by the Nosferatu, but he had seen the way Cat treated him. If she trusted him, then Sirius would learn to as well, after all, if he was going to be part of her clan, he needed to adhere to their alliances just like Cat did. Even so, Sirius tensed the moment Mohrg touched Cat.

Mohrg looked at Cash who shook his head and smirked “He’s in love with her... why do you think he reacted like that? You’re touching his woman.” Cash said sarcastically as Sirius blushed and Mohrg looked away.

“Ok ladies” Cash said tersely “you can figure it out later... right now, we need to take care of Angel” Sirius nodded as Mohrg opened the small wooden box he had brought with him.

Sirius gave a low whistle when he saw the contents “I know a potion master that would give his teeth for that set-up” he smiled at Mohrg as the Nosferatu grinned slightly. Sirius was still holding onto Cat tightly, he could feel her struggling inside her cocoon of blankets “She’s not getting any better... she’s still fighting something.”

“This will relieve her suffering” Mohrg explained as he mixed together small amounts of powders and liquids into a vial. “Watch me... you will need to administer this to her for the rest of the night” he explained. Mohrg placed his finger over the open top of the small vial, tipping the container upside down, he allowed a good amount to flow onto his finger. Holding up his finger to show Sirius, he then placed his finger on Cat’s lower lip, dragging his finger across the soft pink flesh of her lip. Within seconds Cat licked her lip as Mohrg smiled strangely, “Only in small amounts, her body can only handle minute quantities” he explained sternly “if you give her too much, it will kill her. You must be careful with her” Mohrg watched as a pink flush returned to her cheeks, he saw Sirius bow his head with relief, allowing himself a moments rest to enjoy her softness.

“How will I know ..” Sirius began only to see Cash and Mohrg smile at each other “What?” he asked, seeing the looks on their faces

“I told you ... were clan is concerned.. . he *never* stops worrying” Cash grinned as he looked at Sirius. “You should see him with their little boy... you have met Harry haven’t you?” Cash asked Mohrg

Mohrg smiled graciously “Yes Cash, I have met your nephew... and I understand why you are so proud of him.” Mohrg sighed deeply “Do you realize what a blessing it is to have family? To never be alone or abandoned?” he reached out to touch them, but hesitated. He knew the Gangrel may allow such a bold move, but the wizard was human, and as such frail and easily frightened.

“Don’t underestimate him my friend” Cash said softly, he is more kine to me than I could ever explain. Cash looked at Sirius and smiled, motioning with his eyes towards Mohrg. He could tell that Sirius understood him perfectly.

Extending his hand towards Mohrg, Sirius smiled as the Nosferatu hesitantly grasped his hand in friendship. Sirius could tell Mohrg was being extremely careful not to hurt him “Thank you Mohrg. I am indebted to you,... you have saved her.” Sirius told him, as tears sprung to his eyes.

Mohrg smiled back gratefully “I would do anything for the Angel” he told Sirius “and for a friend..” he finished as he looked deeply into Sirius’s eyes. He didn’t know much about this wizard yet, but if the Angel loved him even half as much as Cash did. He was sure he could expect extraordinary things from this wizard, despite his somewhat shabby appearance. Mohrg opened his mind to the wizard's, he was nearly overwhelmed by the love which burned in his heart for Angel and their son. It was no wonder Cash accepted this human so willingingly, the passion flowing through the man's veins was almost addictive, and more to the point, it was completely honest. No pretenses, no alterior motives, no grand designs, it was simply his nature to love her completely. Mohrg sighed almost inaudibly, it had been centuries since he had been able to feel that way about anyone, or more to the point, since anyone would allow him to feel that way about them.

Sirius kept watch over Cat all night long, drifting off to sleep now and again, only to be woken by Cat’s struggle against her confines. Doing as Mohrg instructed, Sirius made sure not to give Cat too much of the elixir. Although he must confess, he loved the application of it, there was something undeniably sensual about it. Several times he found he couldn't stop at caressing her lip, he had waited until she had taken the elixer, and then began to kiss her softly. He couldn't get enough of her kisses, after all, he had years to make up for, and as tired as he was, he woke with a smile every time he looked down to see Cat sleeping in his arms. He looked out of her windows to see the sun peeking over the top of the forest, its golden rays just beginning to streak a spectacular rose color across the fading night sky.

Cash had stopped in one last time before he went to sleep. “Sirius... you should unwrap her now. I think the worse is over, and she seems a bit warm.” he said as he ran his fingers along side her cheek. “You should figure out what you’re going to do by the way.” he added “I don’t know what you want people to think, and I really don’t care. But Harry will be here shortly, he’s already up and getting dressed... and Snape will be rushing here as soon as my spell fizzles.” he added as he noticed the loving way Sirius was caring for Angel.

“You placed a spell on him? I was wondering what happened to the slimeball.” Sirius laughed as Cash grinned widely “But how do you know about Harry? Is someone watching him?”

“Someone is always watching him” Cash responded then nodded towards Cat “her orders... and besides, he’s family.” Cash stretched his arms over his head as he yawned “I can sense clannad miles away. Just ask your bride.” he said as he walked towards the door.

“My bride..... phoenix tears ... I truly hope so” Sirius whispered as Cash left the room. Sirius felt a terrible pang of longing in his heart, right now all he wanted to do was crawl into bed with her and hold her in his arms. Sirius shook his head as he tried to concentrate on the task at hand. He gently unwrapped her from the blankets, smiling as he did, dreaming of the day he would be able to call her his wife.

Taking the chance that it would still be a few minutes before Harry and Snape arrived, Sirius carefully slid into bed next to her. Gently he slid his arms around her and pulled her close, he smiled contentedly as he felt her warm breath on his neck, romantic thoughts filling his head.