Author's Note: I finish this chapter about a month ago. Since the story heading an interesting direction and adding Shizuru and Aoi not quite friends but they share a common enemy. You notice I written in 3rd person Shizuru's fight against Reito and Mikoto during her flashback. Well I done it on design because it was last fight scene I write for awhile. Later I going focus on character development and adding some details how Aoi became a vampire. Also I want thank the reader who make my story their favorite and putting on story alert and review the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-Hime and not tend to infringe any copyrights.
Shizuru's POV
While Natsuki was recovering from her injuries, I was worrying for her health and as if I wasn't there to rescue her she should be dead. I have to keep on the mask and putting my fears away I must be strong for both of us.
I realize that Natsuki haven't came back to our apartment I start to call back-up from headquarter in case I didn't making out alive. Luckily for both of us that they issue a device to keep track of us if we in trouble. I found her bleeding with various cuts on her body. Even I put on a brave front I was afraid she'll going to die and fighting against two vampires as memories flooding back in.
Shizuru just came in time seeing Natsuki with wounds across her stomach and some cuts and bruises. Reito and Mikoto were surprise by new visitor. "You are the ones who hurt my Natsuki. Natsuki I found the place you were held up now you need some medicinal attention,"
"Shizuru my angel you finally came…" Natsuki start to collapse on the ground after succumbing to her injuries.
"I see you rescuing the girl from me well you can die together now! Shizuru tense up and aware her surroundings before Mikoto start attacking her. Shizuru barely evade the large arc of the sword swing. She pull off a katana from the sword sheath that hidden from her leather jacket after recovering. Mikoto was gathering herself together and ready to strike Shizuru. Shizuru saw the black claymore aiming toward her body; she barely parried the attack due being taller and having a longer reach than Mikoto.
Shizuru succeed playing keep away while constantly checking on Natsuki's condition. In momentary distraction, Reito took the opportunity to use his telekinesis powers to throw couple wooden boards at her. Shizuru didn't sense the projectile hurling toward her until she got hit by right side of her head causing Shizuru be disorient.
Mikoto took the advantage to attacking her aggressively and relentlessly. Shizuru have good reflexes due years in training art of the kenjutsu and naginatajutsu but facing an opponent who smaller than her and faster than her include being a vampire. Even have a superior reach Mikoto still easily broken through her defenses. Shizuru realize she's facing impossible odds to survive this especially fighting a two-against-one handicap but she is going willing herself to fight for both her and Natsuki's shake.
"You're stubborn as her and you won't give up easily even you are facing a hopeless situation and your impending death. Humanity is type creatures backing into a corner will fight until they can't fight anymore. You have a dilemma to save your partner now she's at critical or continue to fight a futile battle. It your decision,"
Shizuru feared for the worse if Natsuki dies she may join her in the afterlife. Both share hope and dreams of the future and the rings of symbolizes of their unbreakable bonds and being at each most important person during the darkest part of their lives.
"Please tell your name it a polite request from your victim," Shizuru is asking Reito.
"Since I'm a gentleman and I'll grant you the final request. Kanzaki Reito future ruler of this miserable planet with vampire paradise never seen before,"
"Fujino Shizuru your future slayer and I won't let you commit genocide against the human race." In defiance Shizuru threw her sheath at him and taking Mikoto by surprise charging toward her and cutting her down in mid-stride without killing her. In continuous momentum Shizuru able stab Reito in the gut with her weapon and catching him in a surprise.
"That second time I got injury by a mere human but this time I won't be so careless and caught-off guard," He recovers before she thought another attack, Reito pushing her several feet away from him. Shizuru was daze by his telekinesis powers as she tried to scramble back to on her feet, Mikoto block off her attempts to get up from a prone position by swinging downward causing Shizuru to shift her body away from the attack.
Reito decided to help his sister by providing some assistance turning into a black mass of clouds merging into her sword Miroku. She felt a great power surge within the black blade.
Shizuru was still on the ground on her back anticipate another sword strike from Mikoto then a sudden realization dawn on her when Shizuru saw the claymore glowing blood red and start growing bigger until nearly impossible to determine the height of the sword it almost hit the ceiling.
Slowly the sword was descending incredible speed having gale-like wind strike causing the windows to break and the horror Shizuru looking at intending target an injured and defenseless Natsuki. Shizuru have to think fast to save her from incoming doom with adrenaline pumping within her body.
Every precious moments count to Shizuru as she race toward Natsuki while trying desperately outrunning the obsidian blade. At last minute she drove closer to Natsuki and covering her own body using as a shield to protect the injury hunter before the final strike came down. "I going to die to protect my Natsuki least I'll dying holding her within my arms," Shizuru was musing on her final thoughts before she heard a gun shot.
"Shizuru-san we receive your SOS signal and provide aid," Said Shizuru's mystery savior. Mikoto's attention divert from the two women and facing a new challenger.
"We just came in time rescuing you and Natsuki. I see you have trouble with that little vampire and where the other at?"
"Sakomizu-san Ishigami-san thanks for founding us, Natsuki is injury and have a nasty gash on her stomach she needs medicinal attention badly and locate the nearness hospital now!" Shizuru spoke forcefully.
"Ishigami-kun you need to hold off the girl for while and granting us some time I'm calling for an ambulance,"
"Sakomizu-san I only have a few sliver bullets left in my gun but I didn't come without being prepare for the situation,"
Mikoto watched the trio warily and ready for the kill. With the power infuse reside in Miroku and empower by Reito's essence she drive the sword in the ground and massive spikes appearing from nowhere heading toward them. Ishigami first realize the peril they were in he took a grenade from his jacket pocket and threw at Mikoto. The flash blinding her momentary help Sakomizu carry Natsuki away when Shizuru assist Ishigami buying time by throwing couple of knives at the vampire catgirl.
Mikoto was attacking blindly at anything; Ishigami shot couple of rounds hitting her. Mikoto is screaming and Reito got separate from Miroku after impact. In a rare moment Reito was furious at the assaulters.
"You dare hurting my little sister. You dug your own graves and I promise you won't see tomorrow," In warehouse everything starting to levitate, both Shizuru and Ishigami feeling their hairs standing up from their bodies. Reito felt a great surge of telekinesis as the boards, several pieces of glass, nails, anything isn't bolt down. The items encircle above his head at greater speeds.
They witness what will go to happen; they decide not taking a chance to hang around. "I advice you to left swiftly or facing my wrath," As he throw the gathering pieces like a bullet heading for the vampire hunters.
Shizuru and Ishigami ran fast as they could head for the exit. Shizuru lucky dodge the lethal project due her agility but Ishigami got hit by a few nails embed in his left leg. "Damn it! My leg I need your help to drag me to the car," Shizuru understood and Ishigami favorite his leg and his enfold his arm around her shoulders they finally escape from the warehouse.
It was a few days ago that happened and I am relief that she pull though the surgery. I stay vigilant at her bedside until I was force to leave. Ishigami-san recover from surgery as well and Sakomizu-san inform headquarter of the circumstance. Reito certainly the vampire may kill those people at Fuuka but we don't have of any proof until then.
"Excuse Fujino-san you can see the patient now," The nurse usher me in the room and seeing Natsuki with tubes it unsettling. I gather my courage and keep an impassive mask so I won't let my emotions to control me. Her eyes start to stir and wearing my best smile.
"Shizuru that you? How long I've been out? I shouldn't fight them but I did fight for you and my sake. Honestly I was afraid to die then a voice told me not to die and I felt my mother's warm she like protecting me,"
I worry that Natsuki sound delirium except it possible true. "Natsuki I brought your favorite flowers with me today. The doctor said you need some rest after you recuperating from the operation. I know you can be stubborn at times I don't want to lose you we made vow to hurt vampires so everyone won't suffer the same fate as us. Besides Ishigami is recovering too and Sakomizu-san visiting him at this moment," My eyes are wandering over her body checking various wounds in spite of the injuries I still found Natsuki very attractive.
"Shizuru you're staring at me? In my state you shouldn't ogle at me during my current condition you know I get uncomfortable people checking out my body,"
"Natsuki is accusing me being a dirty old woman that so mean," I feign some innocence to tease her but she got used it.
"Shizuru that won't work on me anymore so cut the crap," Our usual banter helps me lose some tension.
"Natsuki I came talk you about that vampire Reito on the other night you fought against. He may the one on the murders happened surround the area," The very vital information I am getting to Natsuki after I discuss with Sakomizu-san and still something bothering me I won't admit to anyone including Natsuki. I gauge a reaction from her to observe.
"Shizuru I still believe that girl I shot almost a month ago it the main culprit however that smug bastard want to create a world for vampires I think he's a prick for being delusion."
I study Natsuki for a bit before start to laughing. "Shizuru you thought think it was funny to you? I am expressing my opinion," Seeing Natsuki in huff kind cute before return to my serious expression.
"I'm leaving you in peace now so goodbye my darling," Witnessing her face was priceless for me.
In the hallway I find Sakomizu-san sitting down in deep thought. "I see you contemplating on the matter. You hear anything from headquarter?"
"I still investigate on it, Shizuru-san. Natsuki she still alright? I came over to visit her. She like a niece I never has moreover Ishigami-kun have an infection but it won't require amputate his leg. I assume you're very anxious of her health how she looks wounded and very vulnerable. Shizuru-san goes back to your place I'll watch over her,"
"Sakomizu-san I am in your debt for rescuing Natsuki with Ishigami-san helping me. Tell him he also I own him a lot. It you hear anything please me call from my mobile phone," I'm exit from the hospital and head for the car on the alert and checking the surroundings. Even I prefer riding with Natsuki on her motorcycle, occasionally I drive my car sometimes then I greet by amusing sight. The same girl we have fought almost a month ago sitting on hood of the car.
"Fujino-san I have followed you here and waiting until you were alone. I need talk to you about Reito and the threat he pose. I proposal we speak over there and don't try any funny business you two nearly kill me,"
Her eyes shined intensely and have a murderous aura I should be careful around her I have once fought her. "Well Aoi-san what you require my present? What regard you need to sitting on my car. You have a hidden agenda I don't know of? Or you want to take the competition off?" This is a great opportunity to learn about the enemy and collecting some important information.
"What you keep talking in riddles? I came to have a conversation not a guessing game. Anyway Reito most likely kidnap those girls at my school and turning them into his personal slaves to do his bidding. Lately things starting getting dangerous around the Fuuka area especially him trying to eliminate me and any potential allies I have. I try to avoid having people involve my fight but one of my classmates Tate Yuuichi, he unwillfully suck into this after we were attack by recent turn vampires. Honestly I need remove him as a threat-permanently before he becoming unstoppable,"
I'm swallowing the seriousness of this and weighing the options to expect before coming with a conclusion. "Aoi-san I believe your story and reasons I can comprehend however why you're asking me for aid your cause remember I'm a vampire hunter and you're the prey," I want install fear within her and throwing off her game.
"You are attempting to intimidate me? You could do better than that." Aoi slid off from hood of the car. "I can beat you easy with my left arm tied behind my back,"
I have smiled that one to make things less stressful. "You kind cute when being angry, Aoi-san I bet your girlfriend enjoy your company," Seeing the look of her face is priceless.
"H-How you know I have a girlfriend? That impossible I never told anyone." Aoi was blushing furiously.
"I have my ways nonetheless. We are the same when to protect that we love and hold dear. I admire you taking a proactive stance against him, if I have chance to meet him again I personally escorting Reito to hell."
"I agree he need be taking down now before he hurt any innocent people," A vampire hunter and a vampire joining forces it strange, Aoi-san and I have a common enemy to fight against and odd comradeship.
"Oh by the way you own me a rematch, Fujino-san." She has the last word edge as my curl lips curve into a grin.