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Part 9 – Shit Just Got Real

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It didn't feel like she had slept a whole lot, but Kazari did feel rested when she woke to the grey light of the early morning. With a great yawn she rubbed her eyes and sat up.

"Did you sleep well, Kazari?"

Her eyes found Misaka-san by the foot of the sleeping bags, in the process of pulling on her shorts. Her torso was naked, and Kazari followed the lines on her stomach with her eyes. The subtle muscles looked human, but did not match the vamp's strength at all. She'd treated men three times Misaka-san's size who'd never be able to touch her.

"Kazari?" Misaka-san looked at her, and Kazari blinked.

"Oh! Yes, I slept well, thank you!"

"Good. I'd want to be able to return you to Toaru village in one piece, so let's try and keep it that way." Misaka-san picked up her t-shirt and frowned at it. Even from a distance it still looked wet.

"Oh, give it here." Kazari got up and walked over, taking the garment from her. She concentrated, and the fabric in her hands slowly warmed up.

Misaka-san looked impressed once she got it back and found it completely dry. "I keep forgetting you can do that thing. It always amazes me!"

Kazari beamed. "I learned it from my mother. It comes with having warm hands, she says."

"You and your mother are pretty impressive." Misaka-san smiled, and Kazari lowered her gaze shyly.

"Yeah."

Misaka-san pulled the t-shirt on and Kazari noticed the necklace with the frog figure that Haruue-san had given her in Sotokim. The figure rested above her breasts and was hidden the moment the t-shirt was on. She couldn't stop the question.

"What about you, Misaka-san?"

The vampire looked confused, and Kazari hesitated just a moment. "You have a mother too, right? Haruue-san said she was alive, didn't she? Don't you… don't you want to see her?"

A ghost of a smile passed over Misaka-san's lips. "Not really." Then she bent down and slipped on her shoes. Before Kazari could press the matter, someone knocked on the tent entrance.

"Excuse me! Misaka-san, are you in there?" It was a man's voice.

Misaka-san walked over and pulled the tent flap aside. A red-haired guy stood outside.

"Yeah?"

He looked relieved. "I wanted to give you the message as soon as possible. It seems like the cart you were supposed to ride with today had a broken axle. It collapsed when they started loading it with cages and they say it'll take at least a couple days to have it fixed."

Kazari's heart fell and Misaka-san sighed. "Okay, thanks. Any other ride for Pihs Looc today?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, it's all filled up…" he looked nervous. "I had to move my cargo elsewhere and it's already a huge problem."

"I guess we'll walk then." She turned away in dismissal.

"Ah—" he began, and hesitated when they both stared at him. "Ah, well… there've just been some rumors and I was wondering… is it true that there's a vampire in your group?"

"Yes. Why?"

Kazari paled at her bluntness, but for some reason he looked extremely relieved. "That's great! Actually, we could really use some help, if you wouldn't mind!"

Misaka-san looked like she thought it over, glancing at the sleeping bags. Kazari realized that the remaining two were actually empty. Saten-san and Shirai-san must already be up. Somehow, it made her uneasy. After the tayaki yesterday everything had seemed almost like normal, but...

"O-Of course you'll be compensated!" The man added. "I have yen, turok meat, whatever you please! It's just that, there's a problem with repairing the wheel as it is."

"Alright." Misaka-san looked back at him. "I'll see what I can do."

He clasped his hands together and bowed gratefully.

They followed the man through the camp. Kazari tried to bring her focus onto their current situation and not think about Saten-san.

"I didn't think you'd be that blunt, Misaka-san, with the Judgment camp so close and all."

"It's fine. Judgment won't attack us just for being here."

It felt like she was being awfully trustful, but it was most likely true. Kazari was actually glad that Misaka-san had been honest. There should be no reason to hide, these days. Except, Misaka-san was a special case, and she ought to know.

"We are all pro-vampire here, missy." The man who was leading them grinned over his shoulder. "They pay well for turok meat and they're strong too!" He pumped his fist. "Though better stay out of the vampire district unless you fancy becoming some drunkard's meal."

"I've heard Pihs Looc is the biggest city in the world where humans and vamps live side by side." Kazari said. A small seed of excitement bloomed in her chest. She couldn't wait to actually see it.

"Sure is, missy! You'd be amazed to see some of the things they have there. Personally, I find a good ol' pole dance ten times as exciting when there're fangs and claws involved." He laughed heartily.

They reached the cart loading area outside a trade company's wooden building, the only one with no tent parts in the entire camp. The wagon in question stood askew in one of the booths and it became obvious at once what the problem was. There was a crate taller and wider than a man left alone on the cart, and angry snorts could be heard from inside. The cage was mostly wooden but reinforced with metal in the corners. A whole crowd had gathered around, scratching their heads; Kazari noticed a group of men leaning on the cart, looking exhausted. They were all huge with giant arms, so she guessed they had been doing the loading.

"We caught a bull." The trader who'd brought them said. "It's a giant bundle of muscle and its tusks are dangerous, but worth a lot. It took seven men to load it onto the cart and that's when the wheel broke." He sighed, rubbing his head. "I thought for sure I'd checked them last night, but I guess I missed that one."

"Okay, so you want me to get it off, right?" Misaka-san eyed the cart and the giant cage with something akin to challenge in her eyes. Kazari stared at it as well, almost doubting this would work. It was huge.

The man turned towards Misaka-san and slapped his hands together. "If you would we'd be extremely grateful!"

"How heavy is it?" Kazari asked.

"We estimate a fully grown bull to tick in at about seven hundred kilograms."

"Seven!?"

"And the cage is about three."

"A ton!?"

She stared at the men again and realized why they hadn't even tried to get it back off.

Misaka-san didn't let that stop her though, as she approached the cart while grinding her fist. "Sounds like I might break a sweat!"

The people around the cart gave her room when she approached, eyeing her in question. Misaka-san climbed onto the cart and eyed the cage, which was taller than her; she knocked at it with her knuckles as if testing the material and everyone followed her moves closely. Some of them whispered; the muscle men looked expectant.

"You sure you're not putting too much trust into that girlpower, Ron?" One of them smirked at the trader. "Fifty on her failing."

"You're on."

XXX

Once the cage hit the ground beside the cart, the onlookers were wooed into silence. Misaka-san straightened up and rolled her shoulders. "Sorry about that. No real way to get a good grip otherwise."

The wooden cage had several small holes to let some air in, and now it also sported a larger hole on each side. Misaka-san had punched right the through the wood in order to lift it, and then picked it up as if it were a tub of laundry.

"Gotta say, I wasn't sure that'd go all that well." The trader and cart owner said, looking relieved. "Your friend is mighty strong, missy!"

Kazari grinned. "She's a matriarch after all!"

"A matriarch!?" His eyes widened and then he squared his shoulders and suddenly marched off towards Misaka-san. Oh no, did I say something wrong? Kazari was wrought with worry, but the man stopped in front of Misaka-san and fumbled with his pocket.

"I'm mighty sorry, miss vampire," he said, pulling out a pen, "but it's not every day we see a vamp of your caliber. Please, will you give me your autograph!"

"Eh?" Misaka-san looked as surprised as Kazari.

"A matriarch? Which one? Not Mugino-sama?" The others began whispering.

Misaka-san scratched her cheek. "Well, I guess."

The cart owner insisted on having her nickname signed on his forearm, and once they realized she was the Railgun, many more of the group wanted the same thing. After several autographs written on hats and bald scalps and pieces of clothing, Misaka-san was finally freed and came over to Kazari, rubbing her neck.

"Jeez, what's with that enthusiasm?" Though she sounded mildly surprised, she looked content, and Kazari beamed.

"You're a celebrity, Misaka-san! These people are vampire supporters and you're the famous human-friendly matriarch. Of course they love you!"

Misaka-san smiled, and then her eyes suddenly widened and she looked up past Kazari. Her expression grew rapidly horrified and Kazari turned her head, wondering what had brought about the sudden change. Her breath hitched in her throat.

Shambling down the nearest muddy pathway between the tents was Saten-san. She looked completely out of it, tired eyes and a stagger in her step. She carried a red wolf in her arms. It looked entirely too big for her to carry, but the bleeding wound on the side of its chest explained why it wasn't walking by itself.

"S-Saten-san? Shirai-san?" Kazari squeaked.

Saten-san took another step and swayed dangerously. "Maximum…" she didn't even finish before toppling over and crashing to the ground.

XXX

The world spun by in a blur of voices, light and dark, and images.

"It looks like it could have been a large animal, but there's damage inside as well." A concerned and frantic voice, but it drowned in the crackle of vicious fire; flames, everywhere.

"Can you heal it, Kazari?" She crawled along the floor and found the cellar door; it was slightly askew, blocked by one of the beams from the roof. Covered in flames.

"I-I haven't tried treating a wolf before and I don't know what the internal damage is. Misaka-san, your fangs—"

A yelp and a cry of pain, then soothing hushes. "I'm so sorry, Shirai-san!"

Flames licked at the walls and stung her skin. She sniffed loudly, crying for mom.

"Misaka-san, you're being no help like this! Please go outside and rest!"

The entire house was engulfed in flames.

"I'm fine! Worry about Kuroko instead!"

"Don't tell me you're fine looking like that! Is it the blood? Misaka-san, please just go outside for a while!"

She pressed her body through the opening between the beam and the cellar door, hissing in pain as a splinter of wood lodged in her finger. Behind her the fire licked over the wood, it was so hot and hard to breathe.

"Please, Shirai-san… please be alright." Someone was crying, a little girl on her way down the cellar stairs, wondering where mom was, or dad, or her little brother. She stumbled through the darkness of the cellar and hid behind the sacks of flour used to bake bread for the inn.

A cold cloth touched her forehead and her eyes slipped open in cracks. Someone was above her, and at first she thought it was the Judgment woman who had found her in that cellar after the entire inn, their home, had burned down. But as her gaze focused, she realized it was the bobbing face of Uiharu.

There were streaks from tears down her cheeks and her eyes looked puffed, yet the cleric smiled when she saw her eyes open.

"Welcome back, Saten-san."

Ruiko blinked and stared at Uiharu's face.

"You've been gone for quite a while. I guess carrying Shirai-san and using your buffs constantly was a huge strain on you." Her smiled was tender. "You probably saved her life though."

Ruiko felt cold, and put a hand on the cloth on her forehead.

"You had a fever." Uiharu explained.

It wasn't the buffs. Carrying Shirai-san hadn't been that much of a strain. It must be that drink. Ruiko closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Remembering how she'd kicked Shirai-san, how the bones in the wolf's chest had given in beneath her heel. Sickening. If only Shirai-san hadn't been that focused on Styil…

"How… is she?" She almost didn't dare to ask, but Uiharu had said she'd saved her life. As if. By the sound of it, she'd nearly taken it.

Uiharu's expression grew solemn. "Her ribs are broken. From what I can tell, they nearly punctured her heart, and she has internal bleeding. I gave her some herbal remedies and healed the external wounds, so hopefully she'll be okay." She wiped her eyes quickly and then glared at Saten-san. "Where were you!? You shouldn't wander off like this and get yourselves hurt!"

Ruiko smiled, although the motion hurt so much it felt like her heart would implode. It was probably the fakest smile she'd ever given in her life. The words dripped out like poison.

"Sorry. I just wanted to see the sunrise and Shirai-san came with me. We ran into a bear and she got between us."

Uiharu looked conflicted, but in the end she sighed deeply. "Thank goodness you're okay though."

Ruiko sat up and the wet cloth fell into her lap. Uiharu took it and gazed at her worriedly. Ruiko just stared down however. She could almost feel the substance in her blood swirling through her veins and she glanced out of the tent entrance, seeing the darkening sky. It was already evening. Her hand clenched into a fist. Too fast.

"Uiharu."

"Hm?" The cleric looked at her, seeming concerned. Ruiko couldn't handle that kind of look, not now. She didn't deserve it at all. She burned with desire to tell her everything, ask what she should do. But she knew better than that. Her fist unclenched. She couldn't drag Uiharu into this. She didn't want this cute girl to see the true Ruiko, and get disgusted by it. Yet she had to do something. She had to figure this out. Styil… her heart clenched.

"I don't… know…"

"What?" Uiharu cocked her head, as Ruiko's mutter had been too low for her to hear.

Ruiko didn't meet her gaze. Get a hold of yourself, Saten Ruiko! When she spoke again, her voice was far more steady. "Where is Misaka-san?"

"Still outside, I think. I sent her out since it seems like Shirai-san's black blood really impacts her."

Ruiko stared at her lap for a few more seconds, and then she moved to get up.

"Ah – careful!" Uiharu grabbed her arm and helped her stand up, steadying her. "You were totally exhausted! You should rest a bit more."

"I don't have time for that." She pulled away and walked over to the entrance, pulling the flap away and stepping outside. The cool breeze of the evening hit her and she realized how sweaty she was. Shuddering, she clasped her arms around herself and fought back the burn in her eyes. Pulling in a deep breath she straightened and looked around. She needn't look far. Misaka-san was perched on top of a stack of crates along the side of the tent, only a few strides away. With her knees pulled up and forehead resting against them, it was hard to tell if she was asleep or not.

Ruiko walked closer. "Misaka-san." Her insides coiled in fear and she reprimanded herself, forcing her voice to steady. "Are you awake?"

The vampire moved, raising her head. "Yeah." Her eyes looked dull, and Ruiko's insides clenched. Had she had been crying? This was Misaka-san, after all. At the moment, it felt like she was more of a human than Ruiko.

Ruiko glanced down and her heart beat rapidly. Yeah, it had to be like this. "I… need to talk to you. If you don't mind…" She'd use what Uiharu had said. Ask her if she was hungry. Offer herself up like a platter of beef. Misaka-san had already drunk her blood before, she wouldn't refuse doing so again. Not if the alternative was putting someone else in danger.

Misaka-san stared ahead for a few seconds, and then let out a deep breath. "Yeah." She jumped down from the crates and the mud splattered around her feet. She didn't look at Ruiko. "Let's go."

Ruiko followed her through the camp, tossing nervous glances at the people they passed, her heart beating harsher and harsher by the minute. In a few minutes, would they be dead? Her steps felt heavier and heavier. I've ruined everything.

Misaka-san led her all the way through the camp and out the other side. Ruiko's heart made an odd jump when she realized they were heading in the same direction she had gone this morning. She stopped, and Misaka-san stopped as well, as if waiting.

Ruiko didn't want to walk another step though. She didn't want to see that oak again. She opened her mouth, then hesitated. Misaka-san turned around, looking at her solemnly. The worry in her gaze made Ruiko feel even worse. Her hands clenched and her shoulders tensed.

"I'm…" she couldn't. Why was she in this situation? How could she do this to Misaka-san, the kind and caring person in front of her? To Uiharu, or Shirai-san? Hadn't she already done enough?

"Why are you afraid, Saten-san?"

Misaka-san's question took her by surprise and she looked up, tears burning at the edge of her eyes. Misaka-san looked solemn, but there was something else. Worry? Pain? It hit Ruiko like a rock. She knows. Her shoulders tensed even more and she started trembling.

"I – I didn't mean to hurt her like that."

Misaka-san kept looking at her and Ruiko felt small and vulnerable beneath her gaze.

"I know a bear wouldn't be able to hurt a werewolf… especially not Shirai-san, not with her teleport. It was… it was me." It felt like the words were being pulled out of her by Misaka-san's gaze.

Misaka-san continued to regard her for a long moment. "That's not all, is it?"

How she knew was beyond Ruiko, but it hit her core like a hammerhead. "Wha-What do you mean?"

Misaka-san stepped closer and Ruiko automatically tensed.

"You smell like fear, doubt and pain all at once. Hurting Kuroko is just part of it, isn't it? There's something else." It wasn't a question.

Ruiko gritted her teeth. "I… I just don't know anymore…"

Misaka-san stopped right in front of her and looked at her. Close enough that if she leaned forward, Ruiko would be able to hug her. Neither anger nor hate was to be found in her eyes. It was enough to crack Ruiko's determination into pieces.

"I just – I just don't know what to do! Styil is – and then there's you and I just—" She was rambling, and Misaka-san put a hand on your shoulder.

"From the start, Saten-san."

It more or less flooded out of her. About the fire that killed her family. About the orphanage and the girls that were misused while blindfolded. About Styil. About the years in Anti-Skill and how much they meant to her. About her confusion regarding Misaka-san, Uiharu and Shirai-san. About the artificial limitbreak currently pumping through her veins.

"I don't know what to do anymore." She cried, tears rolling down her cheeks in streams. She sat helplessly on the ground, unable to stay upright anymore. Her body was burning hot like she was running a fever again. "Even if it's crazy, I think of you as my friend, Misaka-san. I don't think Anti-Skill is wrong, but using you like this – if it was any other vamp then – but not you, Misaka-san!" She didn't dare look at the vampire, who had stayed silent during her whole speech. Her head was so heavy. "What should I do? No matter what I do, it'll be wrong. How do I know what's right?"

Misaka-san's gaze drilled into her, until the matriarch squatted before her and placed a finger under her chin, pushing it up. The gentle smile on her face was enough shock the tears into stopping.

"Saten-san, you need to decide for yourself."

It was the worst possible answer.

"If I tell you what to do, you'll never move forward."

Ruiko's whole body tensed. "But I don't know! That's why I'm asking!" It'd be so much easier if she'd just tell her what to do. Ruiko knew how to do what others wanted. She'd never really had to think for herself.

Misaka-san closed her eyes briefly. "I have been thinking about that question you gave me."

"Huh?" It pulled her out of her stupor.

"If war broke out between humans and vampires again, which side would I be on?"

Ruiko didn't even remember having asked. Right now, she didn't know why. Did it even matter?

"And I think I know the answer." Misaka-san smiled sheepishly. "I'd like to say, 'whichever side will allow me to stay with my friends'. Though I guess it's a bit cheesy."

Ruiko's eyes widened. Her heart surged, relief flooding her. That's right. Misaka-san was neither vamp nor human in her eyes. She was simply a friend, someone Ruiko would like to share her days with. With Misaka-san, Shirai-san… with Uiharu… she felt like she was truly free. No duties. No heavy feelings.

Then, she really had to decide for herself. And the answer was obvious. "I'd never… do something like that to a friend." That was the truth and it felt good to say it out loud. Besides, she'd already blown the plot apart. Now that she knew, Misaka-san would never be fooled into drinking her blood.

Misaka-san smiled. "You have friends other than us."

That was also true. She had to talk to Styil. Maybe, if handled right, they could cooperate instead. Maybe, if Anti-Skill realized how vamps could be like Misaka-san, they could take things in a new direction. Her fingers dug into the ground beneath her and she shook all over, new tears welling up. With Misaka-san nearby, it felt like everything could be fixed. Why hadn't she talked to her before?

"Well, isn't this heartwarming." A dry voice split into the silence and Ruiko froze.

"You again." Misaka-san stood, her tone far less friendly now. "Who are you, anyway?"

Ruiko slowly raised her head, staring in terror at the person sitting in the tree above them. No, not a person. A demon. That leering grin, that swaying heart-tipped tail, it was all the same.

"Lessar." She whispered the name, and Lessar grinned.

"To think you'd spill yourself all out to the enemy, Ruiko-chan. I never would have thought that about you." She leaned forward, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. "Though, I guess that's why Styil took his precautions."

She did not understand, but dread filled her.

Misaka-san looked displeased. "If you try anything—"

"Oh I wouldn't be so quick about it, Railgun." Lessar raised a hand as if to snap her fingers and Ruiko felt icy cold all of the sudden. No way. Back then, in the tent, did he… "The only thing we care about right now is having you do what we planned. Are you sure you should be here and not with your other friends? Oh, but I guess you'll be wanting to after this."

She snapped her fingers and the heat rushed through Ruiko's chest. Her skin flared and she was struck by the oddest feeling she had ever felt. Styil… why?

Then the rune on her chest activated. Violent flames speared her torso, shattering her ribcage in a deafening explosion. In an instant everything was clear as day. She fell backwards. There was no pain, no feeling at all in her limbs. She saw Misaka-san's horrified face and how blood sprayed over her features. Don't… drink it… She hit the ground and stared at the darkening sky, the corner of her eyes seeping into black. Oh well. A sudden thought struck her. At least I had an eventful life.

"SATEN-SAN!"