The girl seemed so unaware, it was as if nothing had changed between now and three years ago. Her golden strands swirled in the wind and her steps had an unmistakable bounce to them. She couldn't have been more than sixteen, and yet… She was beautiful, there was no denying that. Perhaps the young one was returning home for the evening from school, or maybe the little one was wandering around, truly unaware of the danger in this new world.
"Keh." The onlooker coughed and continued to follow; thankfully, this was a dark and cloudy evening in the depths of Tokyo Autumn. Because of this darker atmosphere, they were able to walk around without feeling the near crippling pain from the sunlight.
The golden haired girl was no more than a block in front of the follower. It seemed strange for such a little kitten to wandering around like this, especially in that delectable little school uniform.
The girl tripped suddenly, landing on her side, "Ow!" The soft voice yelped. The woman stopped around the corner of a building but continued to watch the delicate school girl. The once clean uniform was now covered in mud and other debris from the rain earlier in the day; the mid thigh length navy blue skirt had slid up, exposing most of the girl's creamy thigh.
Needless to say, this caught the eyes of several males. Those feverish eyes locked onto the young girl, and while two grinned, exposing their dog like canines, the last one licked his extended canine tooth, eager to taste the young blood.
The school girl, unaware of the hungry eyes, rubbed the top of her head. It was only when the men took several steps closer to the young maiden that she looked up. Her sapphire eyes filled with panic and a pitiful gasp filled her lungs. "No!" Such a frightened whisper… Her hands curled into her chest, tightly grasping the broach on her chest.
It was then the stalker took the chance to become the hero. Quickly, she raced up to the men, landing a solid punch to the jaw of the first, follow by a jabbing knee to the gut. Before the first man even touched the ground, the heroine was pummeling the second man, kicking him in every location that was valuable to him. And finally, this swift fighter locked eyes with the third man, standing in front of the human girl. The terrified man shook, his sunken eyes dull but full of fear; he hadn't eaten in a while and was desperate. But, he fled. The young woman stood taller, perhaps taller than a good portion of the men in Japan, and for it, she seemed extra intimidating, vampire or not.
The savior turned around to look at the princess, who looked up with thankful eyes. The girl, even if she had only been on the ground for a few moments, was already roughed up: the blue skirt torn at the hem, her elbows dusted with a light brown and that the bottom of the red bow placed so perfectly on her chest had a single loose thread.
"Thank you." The school girl whispered, with a kind smile. She climbed to her feet, those golden locks dancing in the wind, painting her as a delicate crystal.
The taller woman leaned in, "What's your name, kitten?"
"U-U-Usagi." Usagi blushed, her cheeks nearly glowing, while her dark eyes wandered to the ground. She studied the taller one for a moment, taking in all of that charming beauty.
"U-sa-gi….I think I'll stick with kitten for now." A playful wink.
Usagi giggled, "What's your name?"
"Haruka." The taller one said with a smirk, as the wind stirred the sandy yet silky mess of hair. A heavenly scent wafted through the air, swirling within Haruka's sensitive nose; her eyes lead to the cause: Usagi's bleeding thigh. Haruka swallowed hard, looking around at the passing people and watching the numerous head turn.
Haruka leaned close to Usagi, her lips almost touching the school girl's ear, "Has your family been turned yet?" Her breath was as delicate and forceful as a passing gust.
"N-N-no." Usagi whispered in a breathy pant.
Haruka smiled, "Then I believe you're mine for the evening, kitten."
Usagi's eyes widened and her pink lips slipped apart. Without warning, Haruka scooped the younger girl in her arms and began to run.
"Ha-Ha-Haruka! Just leave me, protect yourself." She begged.
"No! There has to be someone that can save you…There has to be." Haruka panted, running at her fullest speed.
"You'll only put yourself in danger by going there! They don't know enough about this virus. We promised, Haruka, if one of us falls, the other will go on. Don't break that promise."
"But…" A molten finger sealed Haruka's lips; it was the first time in six months that those thin fingers held any warmth, and now…
"There is no 'buts' about this one, my lover." She choked on the end of the sentence
"Michiru!" Haruka screamed, stopped immediately and placing the sea maiden on the ground.
"Michiru…" Haruka combed her hand through the aqua waves, watching as the pristine woman began to shake lightly.
Haruka shook her head as if to shake the memory loose. They were in the safest place she knew: her home. It was large, thanks to the income she had previous to the virus infecting everyone.
Upon opening the front door, Usagi was set on her own feet. Haruka turned away from Usagi.
"Go upstairs and into the third room on your left, in that bathroom you'll find some bandages, you need to bandage yourself." Haruka said kindly, "When you're done, come into the kitchen. I'll have something waiting for you."
Haruka looked into her kitchen and sighed in annoyance: one of the biggest misconception about vampires was that they required human blood, and that just not the case. She could still eat human foods; animal meat that was uncooked or rare just tasted infinitely better now. Haruka could still eat other foods as well, such as strawberries or her old favorite food, salad, but…Now it didn't have much of a flavor, besides a bitter after taste, and it gave her the worst stomach ache plausible. Sometimes, the pain was worth it though, just to feel a little less…mutated.
Haruka sighed, reaching into the silver refrigerator and pulling out a plate of chocolate covered strawberries.
The tall sandy blond took the small strawberry and traced it around the other's plump lips, teasingly outlining every part before slipping the fruit into that deep, warm and soft mouth. Michiru sucked on the tip of the strawberry before taking a small bite, opening those navy blue eyes and smiling at Haruka.
"I know something that tastes twice as sweet…" Michiru whispered, leaning closer to Haruka.
"Haruka-san?' A sweet whisper broke Haruka's thoughts.
"Ah! Usagi-chan. Are you hungry?" Haruka asked, with a kind smile.
"Yeah, actually." She said with a bright smile.
"Are these okay?"The taller held out the plate of strawberries towards Usagi.
Usagi's eyes widened with desire, "Really?" She asked tentatively.
Haruka nodded.
The school girl grinned before happily and quickly munching down on the strawberries, "Yummyyy!!" Usagi said happily between chomps. Haruka laughed warmly; it had been a while since the older woman could do that.
Usagi was on her ninth or tenth strawberry, her fingers grasped lightly around it, surrounding and pressing gently against the firm red fruit, pulling it closer to her lips, when the berry managed to wiggle from that grasp and land promptly on the floor.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Usagi said, taking a step toward the strawberry and bending down to pick it up. On her way up, the young girl bumped her head on the counter, falling back down, this time the strawberry resting in her lap. "Owwwww!" She whispered, tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
Haruka looked down, giving the girl a charming smile. She knelt before Usagi, and held the girl's cheek in her own cool hand. Usagi couldn't look away from the turquoise eyes that entranced her so deeply. Haruka's voice slithered out as smooth as satin, "There's no reason for such a pretty girl to cry." Haruka's hands trailed back, each finger making its own path through the golden hair tied into dumplings. The taller one leaned it closer, their noses now almost touching, and eyes still locked. Usagi's lips parted in what appeared to be hunger, while those sapphire eyes dilated and softened. Haruka pressed her weight forward just a little more, leaning against the girl.
"It feels like the kitten is becoming nervous." Haruka breathed into those pink parted lips. Usagi sucked in those words subconsciously, her mind fluttering between everything, like a butterfly.
"I…" As Usagi began, her face became engorged with blood, staining those fair cheeks a seductive shade of ruby and allowing a wave of warmth to pull Haruka in closer.
The wind shook the French doors on the east side of the kitchen; it led to an outside balcony, overlooking the currently stormy sea. The power flickered. The wind forcefully whispered, sending a cool gust into the room. Goosebumps rose on Usagi's thin arms, and Haruka stood, then offered a hand down to Usagi. The small girl smiled gently, before grasping the hand and being pulled to her feet.
Haruka walked over to a table close to the French doors, and sat in a cherry wood chair, glancing at Usagi, who followed the taller woman's actions. "Do you have a boyfriend?" Haruka asked, raising an eye brow.
Usagi hummed a gentle 'no', looking down, "I had one, he was my prince but…the virus took him." Those eyes flickered, losing their hope and happiness. "But…I still have hope, so, it'll be okay." And the hope filled those glassy orbs again, like wine filling a glass.
Haruka looked out to the stormy sea, "What sort of hope do you have? You lost your lover, didn't you?"
"I did lose my love. I lost a very special person. But, that person was special because they cared about me too, and they wouldn't want me to be sad. So, even if I lost them, I'm still happy, for them. I'm still living, and hoping, because it would be what they would want." Usagi stared at Haruka; Haruka had such pale skin, and a mysterious sandy hair color, it made those forest green eyes stand out so much.
"For them, huh?" Haruka smirked bitterly.
"This fate so beautifully brings out the sparkle in my tears; What kind of sadness could hold me still, so that I could never again turn around, if you're here with me…If you're here with me…If you're here with me…" Michiru, was…perfect. Not only could she play the violin with such grace, but when she sung like that, it was breath taking, alluring and rich. Haruka stood and clapped, their eyes locked. Michiru smiled gently, taking a step towards Haruka.
Another step. And then…she fell. In that curve hugging white lace and satin dress, she fell.
"MICHIRU!" Haruka yelled, launching herself at the falling angel.
"Haruka-san?" Again, that delicate voice pulled Haruka into reality.
"Eh? Oh, sorry. What did you say?" Haruka asked.
"It's okay. I was asking if you have a lover." Usagi smiled gently.
"Had. She died."
"I'm sorry. What was her name?"
Haruka huffed a small laugh, "What's it matter to you?"
"Eh! Well…It was someone dear to you, so I'm sure she was a wonderful woman."
"Yeah…She was…" Haruka paused, her eyes flickered down to the sea, it's tossing waves crashing into each other, forcing the rich blue to erupt into a white mess, as they clashed, each wave retreated and became larger and more powerful. "Michiru…Michiru was her name."
"At first, when she turned, there weren't any major changes; her body temperature was always cool, it matched the sea's temperature, almost. She still played the violin and did everything the same. But one night, after a performance…" Haruka stopped herself; this was so unlike her private self! Why was she talking so openly to this girl?
Usagi looked with sweet, sympathetic eyes. "How did your prince die?" Haruka asked.
The dumpling headed girl blinked twice, seemingly caught off guard by the question, "Well, at first…The virus hit him hard. The idea of hurting me scared him. Mamoru pushed me away, afraid he'd one day hurt me. I didn't care, I wanted to be with him, always. One day, I fell and I was bleeding and…He was there, trying to protect me without me knowing. My blood…forced him to lose it. He tried to attack me and…" The young girl's eyes welled with tears, "I know it sounds wrong, but my friends killed him. They meant to just push him away, but…He wouldn't stop, and they were going to protect me no matter what." A gentle tear trickled down that somber cheek.
Haruka's lips fell apart as she stared that the girl sitting across the table; they were perhaps more similar than Haruka had once anticipated.
"Michiru died because of complications with the virus. She got hot and just…" Haruka couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, but clenched her teeth closed, as if sealing those teeth would keep it from being real. Haruka looked down into her lap, not used to showing any vulnerability.
A gentle floral scent with a hint of vanilla became the only thing Haruka could smell; and gentle, soft arms wrapped around her shoulders and cradled her head into plush, warm breasts, where a steady heartbeat was nestled inside. Shocked, Haruka sat there, unmoving.
"I know it might not much much…But, I will be with you always, Haruka-san." Usagi whispered.
"How can you make such a promise?" Haruka spat back in a choked sob.
"Because I want to make you happy; For Mamoru, for Michiru-san." Haruka's eyes widened in shocked. For half a second, it almost as if her heart had started beating again. The wind outside calmed, as did the ocean.
Haruka pulled away from the gentle embrace, bitterly. The tall girl crossed her arms and leaned back, looking outside.
Usagi glanced up at Haruka, and lowered her eyes, retreating like a wounded animal. She sat quietly in her old place.
After a few moments of silence, "You never even knew Michiru, why would you want to do something for her?"
"I want to help because I'm sure she must have been a good person, otherwise why would you care so much about her?" Usagi spoke with such gentle sincerity.
Haruka stood and walked towards the door, her back to Usagi: it was now almost night, the world tinted a gentle cornflower blue.
"Go upstairs and take a shower, you still smell of blood." Haruka said coolly. Usagi stared at Haruka's back for a moment; Haruka's thin white blouse fluttered in the breeze, showing the gentle curve of her breast for a moment. Usagi gasped and her cheeks filled with another blush.; the short girl hummed a yes, and Haruka listened to her feet gently tapping on the ground as she walked away and up the dimly lit stair case.
Haruka walked out to the pristine white deck that overlooked the ocean. "Michiru…" Haruka whispered into the wind. She smashed her hand into the semi-smooth wall to her side.
"Why did you have to leave me?" Haruka asked simply, starring at whispering sea, "How can I be happy without you?" Tears began to fill her eyes.
Haruka exhaled, leaning that thin back against the cool shadowed wall. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, her nose caught the delicate scent of jasmine and the sea. Opening those dark eyes, the tall locked onto a precious siren: The woman's hair was the color of the ocean in the brightest day of summer, and her skin was the wave's foam, and those eyes…So stormy, so dark and serene—if there was an embodiment of the sea, those eyes alone would be it. Haruka's jaw fell starring at this delicate maiden.
"Ha-Haruka-san…" The woman whispered.
"Who are you…" Haruka whispered.
"Michiru." The woman seemed calm, with a small smile. She took a step closer to Haruka, before stumbling, uncharacteristically, into Haruka's arms. Haruka looked down at this Michiru in her arms.
"I guess fate brought up together." Michiru said, her eyes slowly trailing up Haruka.
"What am I supposed to do without you, Michiru?" Haruka whispered as the memory dulled. Haruka closed her eyes for a moment.
"Don't stop yourself from being happy just because of me, Haruka." That voice whispered within Haruka's mind.
"Mi-Michiru..?!" Haruka's voice cracked.
"You're attracted to her."
"But…" Haruka could almost feel her lips be sealed by those same fingers from too long ago.
"There is no buts, my love. The lower of love is blooming between you both, and fate has pulled you together. Maybe in some other world you and I would have made it, but the red string of fate that brought us together was severed long ago. Don't lose Usagi; she is a light of hope that'll save you and others. "
A scream echoed through the entire house and outside; Haruka's eyes bolted open and she became rigid with tension: It was Usagi.
Forcefully, Haruka threw open the sliding door and ran to the top of the stairs, briefly noting her front door had been forced open. Once she reached the bathroom, the situation became obvious: a man stood before Usagi, his licked his lips, starring at the frightened girl, or rather her bandaged thigh. The man, upon seeing the heat in Haruka's angry eyes flinched and pushed her out of the way, running down the stairs. Haruka watched him, following him with her eyes, until he left the house.
Haruka looked back at Usagi, before gasping at the sight: Usagi's slender body glistened while crystal like droplets freckled her fair skin, highlighting every curve. Those long golden locks swirled around her body, sticking to the girl in some spots, her thin arms laid against her sides, and those cheeks filled with a gentle pink from the sudden shock of the situation; those wide sapphire eyes looked innocently ahead at Haruka, while Usagi's pink lips slipped apart; steam from the still running shower surrounded the girl. Haruka, realizing just how long she had been standing there starring closed her previously dropped jaw and her face became stained by the red fruit of embarrassment.
'I-I-I-I'm sorry!" Haruka said hurriedly, dropping those intrigued eyes and fluttering out of the room, closing the door behind her. It almost felt as if Haruka's heart was pounding …but….That was impossible.
The tall woman licked her lips, still calming herself; the sound of the running shower could still be heard through the wall. The image was thoroughly burned into her memory; this was memory that couldn't be dislodged by shaking her head. Haruka sighed, wandering downstairs to deadbolt the door and keep anyone else from entering.
Twenty minutes passed. Haruka sat in her living room of sorts; the room had two walls with built in bookshelves, all filled with books. There was a couch, two chairs and a piano in the corner, by a large window facing the east. Haruka was laying on the couch, her back against the arm, and a book in her hands.
"Haruka-san?" A small voice said.
Haruka looked up, to see Usagi wrapped in the small white towel from the bathroom, and her long wet golden hair down and hanging around the small girl; it was hard not to stare.
"Yes, kitten?" Haruka smirked gently, earning a blush from the shorter girl.
"Th-the guy who ran into the bathroom grabbed by skirt, I'm guessing it still had some blood on it. and... " Usagi combed her hand through the back of her hair nervously, "I was wondering if I could possibly borrow some clothes?" Haruka looked the petite girl up and down; for being so small, she certainly had some curves to her.
"Yeah. Follow me." Haruka said, placing the book on the rug under the couch, standing and walking towards the stair case, Usagi right behind her.
Haruka stalked away with calculating motions, every step evenly and specifically placed. Her ears nearly flicked hearing Usagi following her, the girl had clumsy, carefree steps, the steps of an innocent kitten just learning of the world. The girl was an innocent light, gleaming for all, even the dark, to bask in.
They arrived at the bedroom and Haruka stepped in gingerly, gliding directly over to the walk in closet, the door already half open. Usagi followed, glancing around. Within a few seconds, Haruka handed the smaller girl a white dress; its waist sat underneath the bust and loosely hung, in shimmering sheer layers waves. Underneath the light sheer fabric, there was a murky blue satin. It was sleeveless, with small stars and crescent moons embroidering the upper edge of the bust.
"Ohhhh! It's so beautiful." Usagi's gawked, touching the fabric gently, as if just a simple touch would cause the fabric to erupt into a mountain of wrinkles.
Haruka smiled gently, almost chuckling, "It was too short for me, and the bust was a little too big."
Usagi blushed, as her belief that Haruka was a female was reinforced. Haruka sat the dress on the large bed, laying in a four poster cheery wood frame.
"Haruka-san..." Usagi began. Haruka, it seemed in an instant flash was standing before Usagi, was looking down at the still wet goddess. Usagi's hair, in-between dry and wet, still stuck to her cheeks, highlighting those large sapphire eyes, but the hair was dry enough to sparkle like true gold, catching every wisp of light.
Haruka leaned down closer, inhaling the warmth that bubbled away from Usagi.
"Yes?" Haruka's voice lowered, as her eyes grew darker and filled with a strong gust of passion. Usagi found her back against the wall, and her shaky hands forgetting about the towel. That fluffy, drenched towel slid down, hitting the floor. It pooled perfectly around Usagi's feet. Haruka leaned a single hand on the wall, supporting herself.
"Are...are you a man or a woman?" Usagi whispered, afraid to break the sexual silence forming between them.
Haruka offered a single laugh, her eyes becoming a tornado of different things. She watched as Usagi's lips slipped apart, allowing a glimpse of white to escape.
"Guy," Haruka leaned in, closer, her breath cascading down onto Usagi's cheek, "Or girl," now Haruka's breath streamed against Usagi's neck, "Does it really matter?" Haruka finished, whispering nearly directly into Usagi's ear. The cool gust forced Usagi to shiver, and her cheeks to glow a deep crimson.
"I..." Usagi began. Haruka's other cool hand found its way onto Usagi's warm and exposed hip. The teenager gasped, startled, and became entranced as it slid up, feeling as if just a cool breeze, yet having the force of a violent storm, up her waist to the side of her breast and finally finding it's end on her cheek. Usagi, shocked and panting lightly, closed her eyes for a brief moment. She opened them again, and Haruka was gone.
Usagi whimpered, in shock, before sliding down and sitting on the soft crème colored carpet. After a few moments of puzzlement, her mind buzzing brilliantly, she stood, walking over to the bed, shakily.
Haruka stood outside of the shut bedroom door. Her body ached with a familiar, yet foreign pain. She experienced it with Michiru, this deep longing. But...it was slightly different. 'Was...was my heart...beating..?' Haruka asked herself. It seemed as if, somehow, in that moment of passion, her dormant heart had awoken.
"Kitten... No, Usagi." Haruka whispered to herself, closing her eyes. She smiled, before looking down the hall.