I don't own Shiki nor the plot. I own the original characters mentioned here.
Chapter six. - Starting Line
August 30th, 11:45pm
Dad used to say...finish everything you begin, even the most trivial things had to come to an end and I most certainly carry his words to practice.
Quarter past eleven of a warm night and I'm sitting on the threshold of the back door of a small house on the other side of Sotoba. A man in his late twenties sat beside me with his head tilted to the side showing me his neck and shoulder. My lips pressed against the skin of his shoulder are tainted red with the blood that flowed from the wound my fangs had inflicted. The darkness helped me concentrate in the task at hand meanwhile the mouthwatering flavor intoxicated me and gave me an unexpected feeling of euphoria.
This is the best.
I've become more skilled at drinking blood. The first two times I did it I ended with blood smeared all over my face, but now I'm a lot cleaner. My self-control and conscience were buried deeply into my mind where they couldn't bother me. His hands that were over my shoulders fell to his sides, he trembled slightly letting a low grunt escape his mouth as his body fell limply to the floor. I stoop up and licked the remnants of blood from the corners of my mouth. He is going to die soon, I know it. It didn't matter how long I tried to prolong his life in the end it was a mere question of time, though I managed to left some blood in his body so he didn't die while I'm here. I would hate to see him die right before my eyes.
"Thanks for the meal official Takami." I said walking to the fence and jumping outside of the terrain.
This had been my nocturnal routine the past few days. After ten o'clock I would go out of my house careful to not be notice by any villager and go straight to that guy's house. He would be waiting for me on the threshold, I would suck his blood till he fainted and go home again. I didn't bother with his family, because some other vampire/thing had already fed on them.
I'm tired.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not enjoying feeding on someone else. To me it's still gross and seriously screwed up, but I need to know what I can and can't do. I discovered recently I can use compulsion on people I bite for example I used compulsion on that police officer so he wouldn't remember what happened to him every night and discard his tiredness with simple fatigue. I tried the same with his wife, though she was under the influence of someone else perhaps a Kirishiki.
"The new term is going to start soon and I didn't present the recuperation exams..." Scratching the back of my head I sighed. "What to do? What to do?"
I had to go to school to avoid any suspiciousness from people, however was it a good idea to go? I mean I had a pretty hard time controlling myself in Tohru's house and there were only five persons inside. Would I be able to stay calm in a classroom with like thirty persons inside for hours? The sole idea made my throat burn and I just had dinner.
Dinner...what a strange way to call it.
Even if it's somewhat pleasurable to drink from somebody's veins I still feel guilty all the same. Taking a life consciously is not an easy task. I tried to think that I was doing it not because I enjoyed it, I did it because I need it. However the human part that still remained in me was slowly eating me away with guilt and regret. The familiar two floors, light brown house with a metallic black fence surrounding it welcomed me. I was standing in front my house, my empty, cold and dark house. I stayed frozen in my place, contemplating the building and pondering my options.
I don't want to go inside.
In the end I kept walking into the woods. My footsteps were barely audible compared to how noisy they used to be. The woods seemed more peaceful at this hour than in the morning, it relaxed me. I'm not sure how long I walked or how far I was from my house, but I never got tired. Walking and running had become a second nature. After a few hours of walking aimlessly the feeling of being watched stroke me. It was a penetrating gaze, full of energy and intentionality. For a minute I thought it was that cat-eared freak of the Kirishiki manor, but it couldn't be. It felt kinda different, less murderous. Paying it no mind I walked faster till I found an enormous and seemingly old pine-tree in my way and climbed it. The branches were wider enough for me to sit with the back pressed against the trunk and the legs against my chest securely.
The darkness of the sky started to fade away in to the rose-pink light of dawn. As the first rays of sunlight kissed my skin the stalker retreated till I couldn't feel his presence. The view was marvelous and breathtaking, it was as if I saw the village being brought to life bit by bit. The soft light of the sky, the prime colors of the nature and the rusticity of the town blended into a picture of pure serenity that made me wonder if this was the reason why Erii wanted to live here. If this view was what made my aunt so excited.
"Beautiful..." That's all I could say. And it was true, Sotoba did really looked beautiful...like a postcard.
A strange feeling spread into my chest. Melancholy perhaps, and suddenly the view wasn't as beautiful as seconds ago. With little impulse I jumped off of the branch and landed on the balls of my feet and started once again my way home.
March 31st, 9:30 pm
Have you ever got the feeling that your being unfair with someone and say horrible things because your plain angry?
Well I do and I hate it.
I don't understand how teenage girls in movies and dramas can say and act all spoilt and bratty without feeling remorse at their acts. Perhaps it's because they're acting, but still.
Why I'm saying this? Because right now I feel like a complete fool. Recently my displeasure for living in a place forgotten by civilization is getting the best of me and I've been arguing more and more with my aunt. I'm aware that she tries so hard to cope with my moods, but she's not a saint and once in a while she explodes too.
Like today.
I came back home from school alone since I refused to come back with the rest of the guys who live in the village and my ever so stupid brother had soccer practice till late. I mean, who joins a club after only two weeks in the damn school? Apparently Hideki.
Three weeks had passed since we arrived to Sotoba village and things are quite tense between my aunt and me. Today after we ate dinner together I said something that irritated her and she started yelling at me. I got angry and yelled back. Soon we were saying nonsenses at each other only for me to end the conversation with an intelligent argument like: I wish there was someone else who could take care of us properly instead of being stuck up with you.
After the words left my mouth I regretted them, but I was so angry to apologize so I ran to the security of the rooftop and waited till I cooled down. Four hours had passed since then. I know I'm the one at fault because I like it or not Erii is our guardian and she's giving her best for Hideki and me, but I can't get over the fact that this place is freaking horrible.
What the heck is wrong with me?
"Hello there..." My brother's voice reached my ears.
I turned to look at him. He used our special greet so I replied. "Hello here. Need something?" He took that as a cue that it was okay to sit beside me.
"No, not at all. What are you doing?"
"Smoking and drinking till I get wasted, you know, normal things." I replied sarcastic, showing him a can.
The disapproving frown over his normal happy face made me snicker. "Shiori..." He tried to snatch the can from my hand, but I held it far way from his grasp.
"Geez just joking it's soda! Don't get all worked up lil' bro."
He sighed heavily, supporting his weight on his hands and stretching his long legs. He let his head hang behind him, his brown hair had grown since we came here.
He'd grown up...
"Why did you guys argue this time?"
"Don't remember." I replied shrugging insouciant, feigning ignorance.
"Wasn't it because you have that attitude?" He arched an eyebrow knowingly.
"Perhaps..."
"What's up? You're acting weird again. PMS?"
"Jerk." I shoved him lightly with the elbow. "You wouldn't understand. Neither Erii does..." I bit my bottom lip. Hideki turned to look at me urging me to elaborate. "I miss Tokyo, I want to go back. I miss my friends and school and our home."
"This is our home now Shiori."
I jumped to my feet. "That's the problem! Erii and you decided to come here all by yourselves. You both were all ecstatic to live in this stupid place and I just happened to be dragged too! I hate this freaking town! I HATE IT!" When I finished my rant I was panting.
There it is again. That horrible feeling of anger mixed with bitterness.
"We asked you and you said it was okay." Hideki replied level-headed.
"Of course I wasn't okay! Neither of you noticed it!"
What I said must have annoyed him because he stood up scowling. "How was I supposed to know?! I'm not a mind-reader you idiot!"
"No, but you're my twin for Gods sake!" I barked.
We fell silent after that. Hideki seemed to be pondering carefully my statement. I could have swear that he was thinking I was right and that he must have noticed it earlier. He was blaming himself. How do I know? Because I know him like the back of my hand.
"...sorry." He mumbled lamely.
"Whatever." I replied lamely as well.
We sat again.
"Do you hate them? Our parents I mean." Hideki asked avoiding eye contact.
Do I?
"I...no. It's not that I hate them, but I..." I sighed scratching my head. "I wish they were still here. I miss them. I miss our family and our home."
"I miss them too, but now our family is you, me and aunt Erii. We're all that we have and you like it or not this is our home now. Family stays together always so..." He threw his arm over my shoulder and gave me a half-hug. "Could you give it a shot? For me?"
"I hate when you act all mature. You make me feel like a kid." I turned my face to the other side.
"Shiori...we're kids."
He stood up and prepare to leave the rooftop. His strides were less klutz than before. He was slowly turning into an adult and leaving me behind to sulk in my childishness.
"Hideki...Do you remember the sound of the police sirens the night of our parents death?" He nodded. "That day we stopped being kids..."
He chuckled awkwardly. "You say pretty harsh things once in a while sis." His gray eyes locked into my gray ones. "You may be right, though we still can act like kids...just for a little while."
"Idiot..." I muttered.
"You should come inside, there's pie." He said out of the blue before going down and inside the house.
"Like I said, idiot."
September 2nd, 1:20 pm
"Stupid sun. I should have stayed indoors, but dinner would have been a problem." I grumbled under my breath as I swing back and forth.
Although reluctant to go outside of the security of my home I had to leave and buy food again. I noticed that when I drink blood my food consumption is normal, however the less I drink blood the more food I eat that's why when I don't have a single drop of the red liquid I eat like a sumo wrestler. Quite inconvenient if may I say. Anyway, I felt tired midway home and ended taking a short break in a small park. I was swinging like a ten years in one of the seemingly old swings.
Out of the blue a dog came running my way. It stopped dead in his tracks before me. His black eyes stared at my form for a while growling lowly. I stopped swinging and fixated my gaze into his. It may have passed a minute or two when the growling animal sat in silence.
"Tarooooooo! Where are you?" A female's voice yelled from somewhere near. Lifting my gaze I found her. A twenty-something woman with long turquoise hair.
"By any chance this is yours?" I yelled at her nonchalantly pointing at the animal.
She smiled relieved, walking towards me. "I'm so sorry! Taro dirtied your jeans." She said.
"Doesn't matter, they were dirty to begin with."
After running and jumping like a savage all day it's obvious my clothes are on par with the ones of a homeless.
Her eyes opened in realization. "Oh! you're Tohru's friend right!"
I sighed. "Takahisa Shiori, and you are...?"
Of course I knew who she was, but I preserved to feign ignorance and avoids troublesome interrogations.
"I'm Kunihiro Ritsuko, nice to meet you." She extended her hand and cautiously I held it just for a second before letting my hand fell to my side.
"How did you know that I'm friends with Tohru?" I asked arching an eyebrow.
She sat on the swing beside mine. "When we're driving he tells me about his friends. He mentions you and Natsuno-kun a lot."
"I see..." I replied awkwardly. Her pet was still looking at me attentive. "Could you take that away from me? It's making me nervous."
"Don't worry, Taro doesn't bite." She assured me.
I grimaced. "Even so..."
She took a close look at my face invading my personal space. "Are feeling fine? You're pale."
What's with her?! So close...!
"...yeah I'm fine." I replied leaning slightly backwards.
She knelt before me, I tried to stand up and leave, but she put her hand over my forehead. "It doesn't seem so, you're pale and your breathing is labored. Also your hands-" She held them. "they're cold and sweaty. You may be anemic."
"How can you tell?" I must say I was impressed with the confident way she stated her diagnostic.
"I'm a nurse. You should go get checked and treated at the clinic."
Nosey
"Like I said I'm fine." I stood abruptly, taking the bags with food and walked away hastily.
"You're not! What if you faint? You should take care of yourself better." She said walking behind me.
"There's nothing in the clinic that can help me, excuse me." I mumbled.
"There is! They may give you iron pills or if it's necessary a blood transfusion."
Her words made me stop dead in my tracks. "Wait a minute, blood transfusion?"
"Yes, we have blood packages in the clinic."
Blood packages? Blood inside bags. Blood!
My eyes widened the size of saucers as a grin made it's way over my mouth. "Thank you I should go."
"Hey wait Shiori-san! What about the clinic?"
"I'll go soon!" I yelled back and left the park running to my house. "Sure as hell I'm going to go!"
There's no reason why I would waste such valuable information. I may not like that nurse at all, but she told me something useful.
9:45 pm
I've seen too many ninja movies lately.
That thought crossed my mind as I looked at myself on the mirror of my room. Black track suit, high ponytail and an old pair of black tennis shoes complemented my snow white skin and sharp gray eyes. I twirled in front of the mirror.
I look like a thug.
"Oh well it doesn't really matter anyway." I lifted the hood to cover my head and took the backpack filled with ice packs before heading downstairs and out of the house.
I should hurry, it's almost time.
After Ritsuko told me about the blood packages a brilliant idea popped into my mind. I needed blood to stay functional, that was an unavoidable fact, but it doesn't mean I had to hurt people to obtain it. Blood from a person and blood from a bag, it doesn't really matter it was still blood.
I knew where the Ozaki clinic was located and I knew a way through the woods that I could use in order to not being seeing. If people saw me they would suspect and worst if one of the Kirishiki's saw me I don't know what would happen. Discretion was a must. I dashed into the woods careful to not being discovered and with my goal firmly set.
Even if was a moonless night I was able to look perfectly my surroundings. I'm not sure if it was for the adrenaline pumping in my veins or that I was concentrated in one an only one task, but my senses were in full alert and made me notice things that otherwise I wouldn't detect like the sound of birds flapping its wings, the nagging feeling of being watched from afar or the faint smell of someone's perfume in the air.
That's weird. Nobody uses perfume in this place.
More than once I was tempted to stop and return home, however it would be as if went back with the tail between the legs and being the stubborn person I am I refused to do so. Instead I quickened my pace and did some of the various tricks I've been practicing.
Okay, let's do this Shiori. This time is for real.
Holding my breath I jumped to the nearest tree landing swiftly in one of the wider branches before leaping to the next branch. Sometimes I had to duck to avoid some branches and other times I just used my hands to swing from one branch to other before continuing my way. The person watching me tried follow my pace, but after a while he or she plainly stopped the chase and I was grateful of that because I was about to arrive to the clinic and disturbances weren't allowed. When light hit me I descended to the ground from the tree and dusted my clothes and hands.
I certainly am a mess, but it's now or never.
The plan was simple. I needed to compel someone and made that person take me to where the blood was. Easy in fact, the difficult part was finding said person. I couldn't go inside the clinic unless I was invited and even so I was so nervous to being seeing while attacking someone that I would probably end screwing it up.
I only had one chance.
Pondering my options I decided to stay hidden in the bushes surrounding the building till a doctor, a nurse or a worker appeared then I'll do my move.
Damn I feel like Megumi.
The pink-haired girl used to observe Natsuno from afar and stalk him in the nights from outside his house. How do I know it? I accompanied her once and it creeped me out so much that I never went with her again. I have to admit that the obsessive part of Megumi was weird, but somewhat cute. She wanted her fantasy to became reality, though she fell in love with the wrong person. Natsuno is good-looking even I'm aware of that, however his attitude towards her and every person in this town with the exception of the Mutou family was pretty rude. I always thought that Megumi's infatuation was childish and shallow, only based on looks, but she persevered and it didn't matter how many times Natsuno disregarded her she still claimed to be in love with him.
That was kinda admirable from her part.
The figure of a person distracted me from my reverie. I focused on the silhouette till I could descried who it was. All the muscles in my body stiffened at the sight of Tohru's father leaving the clinic.
"You have to be kidding me." I mumbled incredulous.
Why of all people it had to be him?!
I knew that Mr. Mutou worked in the clinic and he most certainly knew where the blood was kept, but I couldn't use him. If I did, if I hurt him it would be like hurting my family once again. I couldn't do it, not in a million years. I watched him say his goodbyes and walk away. He passed beside the spot where I was and the smell of his blood filled my nostrils. I held my breath till he disappeared in the darkness of the night.
It's almost eleven o'clock. I've been waiting for about an hour or so.
"This is stupid." I prepared to leave when voices reached my ears. I turned sharply to see who they were. The doctor who owned the clinic and a middle age nurse talked before she bowed slightly and walked outside. Most certainly I wouldn't have another chance to do it so I left my hidden place and walked towards the woman.
"Excuse me...?" I called her. "I need to see a doctor, I don't feel well."
She turned to look at me and her eyes widened to size of plates. "My my, what happened to you dear?" Her voice oozed worry as her brown eyes.
"I don't feel...quite well...help..." I said between pants as I fell to my knees.
She ran to my side. "Let's go inside sweetie! Doctor Ozaki is going to take care of you, don't worry." The woman said cradling me in her arms.
Obviously, I was feigning, however my charade must have been truly convincing for this woman to be this worried. I slid my hands to her shoulders and lifted my face to look at her. She smiled reassuringly and patted my back gently. I tried to return the smile, my hands gripping tightly her shoulders. I let my head rest on her chest.
"C'mon sweetie, you have to stand up. Let me help you." She said softly, trying to stand up.
I inhaled deeply. She smelled good, like strawberries. "...sorry." I mumbled before sinking my teeth into the flesh of her shoulder. I covered her mouth with my hand to muffle her screams.
One...two...three...four...five...
I counted in my head the seconds that passed while sucking her blood. After five seconds I stopped and let go off the nurse. She didn't move nor blinked, it was as if she was in a drunken stupor. I sighed relieved, everything was going smoothly.
"Hey ma'am, I'm sorry about that." I pointed to the wound I had inflicted. "But, I really need your help with something important. Would you listen to me?" I asked, though she didn't replied. I rolled my eyes.
I hate when they don't react, it's like they're not even paying attention.
"Anyway, do you know where the blood is kept?" She nodded slowly making me smile. "Excellent! Now listen carefully, you're going there and fill this with blood packages till it's completely full, understood?" I gave her the backpack and she nodded once again.
The woman stood up staggering a bit before she walked back to the clinic.
"When you finish bring me the backpack. I'll be waiting here." I told her. She turned to look at me, before mumbling a quiet yes.
She's like a freaking zombie!
Sitting back down in my hiding spot I waited for the nurse to come back and prayed for her success. I wanted to be the one taking care of my stuff, however if I were to be busted it'll be inconvenient so having somebody doing the dirty wasn't that bad. Quarter to twelve and there were no signs of the woman coming back. I was starting to feel uneasy.
What if she was discovered? What if she fainted? What if she opened her stupid mouth?
All the what ifs and multiple scenarios of failure running through my mind just increased the jitteriness. Tension set in the pit of my stomach and I had to bite my nails to relax a bit. When I considered the idea of going inside and look for her a rustling sound caught my attention. I poked my head a little above the bush and found her standing like a statue.
"Geez, what took you so long?" I said stepping out of the shadows. She handed me the bag and started to walk away. "Wait a minute." I approached her and held her face close to mine. "Don't say a word about this, got it?"
"Yes, not a word." She replied and I nodded before letting her go.
"Let's see how many packages she stole." Opening the backpack and taking a glance was enough to draw a satisfied grin in my face.
There were forty maybe more cold and deliciously appealing packages of red liquid.
I'm a genius! My very first criminal plan was a complete success.
I felt kinda bad for being so happy about this kind of things, but I couldn't avoid it! Steal, cheat, lie, do things I would have never done while still alive, everything seemed so exciting and at the same time so terrifying. Apparently, death not only gave me superhuman skills and predatory eyes, it also surprised me with a slight dose of madness.
Time to go home, I'm done here.
Hanging the backpack over my shoulders I dashed at top speed to the two story, light brown, empty house that I called sanctuary.
A/N: Hey there my lovely readers! Kind of an uneventful chapter, but here it is. I'm half through the next chapter so it may be updated soon!
I wanted to thank all the persons who had subscribed or had added this fic to their favorites so...thank you so much guys! You're awesome!
