A/N: I know, I know, it's been a while. I really need ideas for this story, so if you have any e-mail me.

Embrace the Thorn: Chapter 4

Akkiko

The air was cold, but she felt none of it. She only felt the undying pain in her stomach. Alden had been her mentor, and even now she was thinking of how good it had felt to feel his life flowing through her and giving her life. She still felt him swimming inside her head and she still felt his arms around her as he tried to stop her. The tears flowed. "Raine?" She ignored Josh's` voice and stared foreword. He continued talking. "Good news. Alden is alright."

Raine shook her head as she stood up and walked past him. It didn't matter if he was alright, she had hurt him and that was all that mattered to her. She had hurt one of her own friends. A tear slipped unbidden down her cheek and she wiped it away hurriedly before she finally walked out of the house and down the street. There was much to think about, and she had to be alone. "But you are never alone Raine, don't you know that?"

She turned to Crimson, anger boiling in her eyes suddenly. "You! Why didn't you stop me? Why did you let me do it?"

Crimson shrugged carelessly. "You needed to feed."

Raine stepped towards her threateningly. "You tell me right now who Viro is!"

Crimson gasped slightly and took a step back. "Raine, calm yourself. You've been through an awful lot these past few days, being turned and all."

"Answer my question now!"

Crimson stared at Raine as she grit her teeth with her eyes brimming with tears. "Viro is the virus inside you, I am the parasite."

Raine now turned and punched a brick wall, then ducked under the crumbling bricks. "Stop speaking in your riddles woman!"

Crimson growled. "You want to know who I am! I am the parasite that is trying to take over your body and mind! I will Raine! You can't escape me! No one can!"

Raine slumped to the ground as Crimson disappeared into the air. "Who are they?"

"Guides perhaps."

Raine looked up at the voice, and her heart swelled with joy. "Alden?"

He stood before her and smiled as he touched his fangs. "Don't be too hard on yourself. You know what to do."

She stood up as she looked at him and shook her head fiercely. "No, no I don't!"

Alden smiled at her. "You're rare blood; I think you know what your job is."

"Are you real?"

"Yes, quite real."

"Will you stay?"

"I can't."

"Raine?" She heard Josh call but she couldn't turn from Alden. "Raine we have to go! Clint is looking for you!"

Alden smiled at her. "Clint knows of your power too - seems everyone knows but you."

"Show me then," she cried out as the tears ran down her face.

He shook his head. "I can't, you have to find them on your own." He turned and began to walk away, slowly disappearing into the streets.

Josh smiled. "I told you that he wa.."

She gasped when she turned slightly to him and saw a sword coming from his chest, Clint stood at the other end with a wicked sneer on his face. "We meet again Raine, so glad I found you."

Josh slid off the sword and lay in a heap on the ground, a dead heap. Raine stared at Clint, feeling anger like never before. Her body took on a mind of it's own as she charged at him, fist cocked. He tried to dodge her but her catlike reflexes were too fast. In mid air she turned and jabbed him hard in the back. He stumbled foreword and gasped. Raine was no helpless girl, that was a certainty.

She finally turned from him in disgust. There was no one for her now and she had to continue alone, that would be easy for her considering the fact that sun didn't hurt her.