AN: There seemed to be a lot a of dialogue this chapter, which is one of my weak points. Hopefully it reads okay. I also kind of imagine Miku wielding one of those two-handed greatswords. It'd look a bit ridiculous if she was as small I make her out to be in this fic, but this whole fic is sort of ridiculous already, lol.

Updates may be sporadic as I am still working on my own project (another romance, whoop!)

Also, my reviewers are basically the best people ever. You guys rock! I feel incredibly lucky! Thank you so much!

Chapter Ten – (Miku's POV)

After my chat with the twins, I retired to bed early, thankful to get a room to myself for once. The single bed was comfy, and this little village reminded me of home. Whether that was good or not, I wasn't sure yet, for an unfamiliar feeling of homesickness was curdling in my stomach.

All in all, I needed to have a good cry. The stress Kaito getting bitten, of hitting Kaito, being told Luka was a vampire… everything that had happened in the past few days needed to come out somehow, and I sure was not ever going to get drunk again.

Every time I looked at the blue haired man, guilt curled its way through my mind and body, leaving me feeling like I'd done something deeply wrong. I knew, really, that I hadn't… I had only been defending myself, after all, but I couldn't see it like that. Not after hitting him so hard he cried out. It hurt, really hurt, to see the one I had grown so close to in such a short space of time have everything go wrong for them so quickly.

I wasn't weeping to express sadness, it was an angry cry, a wish that things could've gone differently. But they hadn't, and I was going to get over it and be fine. Things in my life had changed, deeply, and I needed to accept it.

As for Luka… I still wasn't sure how much I could trust her. I wanted to, really wanted to, but she had kept secrets. Big secrets.

But I had my new mission to think about, and I was going to get Luka to trust me no matter what, no matter whether I trusted her or not. That was no way to live, not even for a vampire of a hundred and fifty years.

And despite everything, she had still come back when I was in need. Not that she was the one to save me from Kaito, or anything as ridiculous as that, but she had obviously sensed trouble and come back to get me out of it, one way or another.

Sighing, I went and laid back on the bed, mind full of a certain pink haired elf. One day, there would be a mutual trust between us. I just wished I wasn't the only one pushing for it.

In the morning, I found Luka alone at a table, with her usual look on her face. This appeared to be becoming a trend while we were staying at an inn, so I went and sat next to her, helping myself to some stew that the innkeeper's wife had kindly laid out for Luka.

It was strange, now I knew the reason why she couldn't eat it, and now Kaito would be the same.

'So,' I started, trying to make conversation, since I knew she wouldn't speak to me otherwise. 'Is the hunt for your parents still on?'

'Yes.'

'So we're still off to Nuriel?'

'Yes.'

Ah. Conversation definitely was not on the Luka's to-do list today. Not bothering to carry on to myself, I concentrated on eating until Kaito came to join us at the table. He took one look at the bowl of stew and put a hand to his mouth.

'How're you feeling today, Kaito?' I asked brightly.

''Hmm?'

I repeated the question, and he just nodded, mind elsewhere. He avoided looking right at me. Guess there wasn't any talking to be had at this end, either. Feeling a small twinge of guilt, I carried on eating, pretending that everything was perfectly normal.

I almost praised the gods when Rin and Len came down to breakfast.

The pair had already been told our adventures up until this point, and they had seemed to understand our predicament, even Luka's, though it was a bit odd… Though maybe odd was an understatement. They eventually agreed to help us fight Meiko when she finally made her descent on the village, since the people here had been frightened of the vampires ever since they set up shop in the castle a few years ago. Killing the vampire's leader was probably the only way to disband the lot of them.

Rin and Len were certain that Meiko would come down to the village armed with a pretty sizeable army, so it was all we could do in the meantime to find others who could fight. The twins were heroes, yes, but we didn't want to be too outnumbered.

The innkeeper had his own armour on hand, as did his wife, and the pair said they'd spread the word for us about our cause.

So now, it was just a waiting game.

Luka was still mulishly not saying anything, and Kaito was busy looking dolefully at the bowl of stew. Another twinge of guilt crept up my side, but this time I ignored it. This was getting ridiculous. We needed to talk, desperately, even just for my own peace of mind.

'Kaito, can we have a chat?' I asked, and it took a moment for him to actually respond with a nod. He still wasn't looking at me. I almost rolled my eyes, but managed to stop myself.

Leaving the inn, I was greeted with a blast of cool spring air, but fortunately, the porch kept us from getting wet from the spatters of rain. I turned to Kaito, and he was still studiously staring at the ground as he followed me outside. It was a wonder he didn't trip over his own feet.

'Kaito, look at me,' I said, and he dragged his gaze from the floor, but he couldn't quite meet my eyes. 'Please. Stop beating yourself up over it.'

'Miku, I…' he trailed off. He sighed, scratching the back of his head. 'I could say I'm sorry, but it wouldn't matter.'

'Why not?'

'Because!' he shouted. 'Because words like that don't mean anything!'

'They do to me,' I said quietly. 'I'm sorry, for one.'

That made him look at me properly then, and he appeared to be taken aback.

'What do you mean?' he said. 'What do you have to be sorry for? I was the one who… who-'

'I hurt you! I never do that to friends... Though I understand if you don't want to be friends anymore,' I said, and that last part hurt deep inside me.

'You thought I didn't want to be your friend anymore?' Kaito asked, and I nodded. He shook his head, and with a laugh, he gave me a hug. Sniffing a little, I pulled away after a few moments, and felt better for it. 'Miku, I'm the one who should be sorry. I tried to hurt you, and I don't think I could ever forgive myself for that, at least not for now.'

'But I forgive you.'

'I'm afraid that's not how it works,' he said with another laugh. 'But it does make me feel better. I'm glad you dragged me out here to chat.'

'Come on then,' I said, smiling up at him. 'Let's go and see if Luka and the twins are alright.'

Provided the twins hadn't killed that stubborn vampire yet.

Thankfully, the trio seemed to be fully intact, though Luka seemed to be in more of a mood than usual, judging from her posture. Wondering if I could break her out of it, I went a slipped back into the seat next to her. What could I do? Thinking for a moment, I rummaged around in my bag to see if there was anything of use, and found the book I had… borrowed… from the library in the mage's guild. I slammed it on the table, and all eyes fell on me.

'Hey, that's Artax and the Troll!' Kaito said excitedly. Everyone looked at him, and he only blushed in response.

'Are you going to read it?' Len asked. 'Isn't it a choose your own adventure book?'

'Yup,' I said with a grin. 'And Luka's going to play it with me, right, Luka?'

'I want no part in your games,' Luka sneered.

'Not even if you get a prize if you win?' I said, sliding the book towards her. Her eyes narrowed.

'What kind of prize?'

'Anything you want,' I said, but then realised that I was speaking to Luka. 'Okay, maybe not anything-'

'Ah, but you have said it now,' Luka said with an especially evil glint in her eye. 'No going back on your promises, girl.'

Oh, gods, what had I gotten myself into? Well, at least no-one won on the first try, right? With a little less vigour, I pulled the book back towards me and began to read.

'Artax was a brave warrior who roamed the lands of Mirren, slaying evil-doers on sight. Witches, dragons, vampires-' Luka's eye twitched at that, 'none were a match for his mighty sword and shield. One day, Artax was told of a smelly troll cave that was troubling the next village over, and he decided to go and slay the beast. He came to a split in the road, one leading down a tree lined path, and the other a path by a river. Which does he take?'

'The forest path,' Luka said without missing a beat.

'The forest path was dark, but Artax was brave and continued on without a problem, until two wolves appeared from the undergrowth! Does he raise his shield, or attack with his sword?'

'Obviously, he attacks with his sword,' she said with a roll of her eyes.

'Artax swung his sword and decapitated one of the wolves in one fell swoop. He easily killed the other, and continued down the forest path. Eventually, he saw a cave, and a narrow path that wound uphill. Which does he take?'

'The narrow path, of course. The cave would have far too many possibilities for danger,' Luka said. Damn, she was good at this. Would I really have to do whatever she wished? At this rate, it seemed likely.

'Artax climbed the narrow path, and he came to the top of the hill, where he could see the village below. Does he stop by the tavern first, or carry on straight to the cave?'

'The tavern,' Luka said, after a moment's thought. 'He would want information on the beast, surely.'

'Artax stayed at the tavern to rest up before the fight. But bandits came in the night and stole all his weapons, leaving Artax to fight the smelly troll bare-handed. Does he give up and go home, failed in his quest, or does he fight the troll?'

'He's a warrior, isn't he? He can fight the troll, the coward.'

'Artax went to the troll cave and faced off with the beast. He swung a punch, but without a sword nor shield, the troll deflected Artax easily. The troll then smashed in Artax's head and ate his brains. The end.'

Luka's eyes widened ever so fractionally, and her fists tightened.

'Best of three!' she ordered.

'Never!' I grinned cheekily.

'Give me the damned book,' she said, but I threw myself over the book before she could get her hands on it.

'You'll never have it. That's cheating,' I said, face down on the table. I turned my head so I could see her, and I could swear that there was a glimmer of a smile on her features. Yes! Had I successfully pulled Luka out of her mood? I wished that I could just ask her, but that would defeat the point a little. I would just have to rely on what she gave away in her features. Grinning at her, I poked out my tongue and the glimmer of a smile grew, just a fraction.

Luka then raised an eyebrow, and clonked me over the head with her fist, just gently enough to get away with it. Ouch. Maybe that smile wasn't as genuine as I had thought.

I got up from the table, still clutching the book to my chest in case she made a grab for it, but she just stared at me, eyebrow still quirked. Was she trying to fake me out? Plan her next move? Or-

'They're here!' One of the villagers burst into the inn, panting heavily as they shouted their warning. I dropped the book immediately, and went to grab my sword. Rin and Len did the same, and even Luka stood up.

'Luka, what are you doing?' I asked. 'You have to stay here.'

She looked at me as though ears had sprouted out of the top of my head.

'I can fight. I am no coward,' she said.

'With a dagger? I don't think so,' I said. 'Please, you're going to get hurt.'

'And you would care if I did?'

'I would, actually,' I said with certainty. Despite everything, Luka was still my ally and friend, and I wasn't about to let my friends get hurt if I could help it. Luka looked at me vey strangely, then, and I couldn't tell what she was thinking. 'Look, I've got to go, but you need to stay here. Please, Luka.'

Rin, Len, Kaito, and I went to exit the inn, and thankfully, Luka stayed where she was. I didn't think she actually would, so it was a relief to see her actually obey me for once instead of the other way around.

Outside, plenty were already fighting. I went and helped some of the villagers that were being overrun, but tried to keep an eye out for Meiko while I did so.

The vampire in front of me snarled, lunging for my throat. I brought up my sword and pushed back, deflecting the blow. It left me staggering. If this was what normal vampires could do to me, what would Tonio and Meiko be like?

Fiercely, I swung my sword across in a wide arc, and cut the vampire's belly. He gasped and went down to the floor. Despite everything, they were still like humans in some respects.

How many vampires had Meiko brought with her? Everywhere I looked, there was carnage. I ran over to some villagers that were doing their level best to mow down a horde of the bloodsuckers, but were being overwhelmed.

I charged, bringing my sword down on one of the vampires, but that left me unprotected at the back, and someone barrelled into me with so much force I almost fell forwards.

I'd never been a battle like this before, and it was overwhelming to every sense. I could smell a metallic tang in the air, and every part of my body felt like it was charged with electricity. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, and it almost feltlike too much.

Turning around to face my attacker, I saw that it was actually a villager that had been thrown into me. They hadn't got up.

Swallowing thickly, I stepped over them, and, out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the door to the inn was wide open.

Luka.

Leaving the villagers behind I sprinted with everything I had to the inn. I didn't care about the battle, not any more, not when Luka could be…

Skidding to a halt inside, I took in what was happening.

Luka was behind the bar, and Meiko was inching towards her like a predator cornering their prey.

As soon as Meiko turned to look over at me, I charged, plunging my sword deep into her gut.

She laughed. With ease, she stepped back, pulling my sword out of her stomach like it was butter.

'You think an ordinary human can kill me with just one blow?' Meiko said. 'Foolish little girl.'

With that, she grabbed the blade of my sword and pulled it away from me, despite how hard I was gripping it.

No!

I tried to back away, but she was on me like a shot, wrapping her arms around me in a deadly embrace.

That was when Rin and Len raced in, but Meiko had already dropped my sword and produced a dagger, which she held to my throat.

I looked over to where Luka was standing, and she was as furious as I'd ever seen her. Her hands were so tightly gripping the bar that her knuckles were white, and her face was twisted into a snarl.

But what could they do? They couldn't let Meiko live, and they knew that.

So I had to die.

The cold metal of the blade pressed against my throat, and I willed myself to not be afraid, but cold fear was creeping up my whole body.

This was it, then. Death. I had never really thought about it before, not like this. I didn't want to die like this. I wouldn't let myself die like this, but what could I do? What would my dad say when he found out? Tears formed at the edge of my eyes then, but I refused to let them spill. I couldn't show weakness, not now.

'Take me, instead.' Her voice was calm, controlled, despite all the anger that broiled underneath. What was she saying? I could feel Meiko's surprise as her body tensed. 'Take me, torture me, do whatever you please. But do not harm the girl.'

'That's a rather tempting offer,' Meiko murmured. 'Did you hear that, girl?'

Luka took a step towards us, spreading an arm to stop Rin and Len from charging. The dagger didn't sway from my throat. Luka stepped even closer.

The swap was almost instantaneous.

Almost.

I ducked down just as Rin ran forwards, slicing across with her sword. She missed, but both Luka and I were in the clear.

Len blocked the inn as Meiko attempted to make her escape, so she turned back only to find Rin in front of her. They both dodged to the side, but Meiko went the opposite way and danced back to where Luka was standing.

Luka ran backwards, but that didn't stop Meiko from jabbing at the elf with her dagger. Luka let out a gasp, and her hand came away from her side bloody.

I ran towards her, but Rin was quicker, and in one fell swoop, she finally ended the vampire by cutting off her head.

The woman in red was finally defeated.

I caught Luka as she sank to the floor in pain, and she didn't try to shake me off, but she went rigid.

'Leave me,' she said. 'I do not need your help.'

'But you're hurt,' I said, and she looked at me, barely concealing an "obviously."

At this point, Rin and Len had rejoined the battle outdoors, and I supposed I should have gone and killed the remainder of the stragglers, but Luka seemed more important now.

I didn't let go of her.

Eventually, Rin, Len and Kaito came back in with some of the other villagers. They had won, but not without a struggle, and many were hurt. The twins saw to getting bandages and other medical supplies, but Luka wouldn't let them touch her with the bandages.

I knew she wouldn't want to be around others, so I looped my arm around her and half walked, half carried her up the stairs to my room. Once there, she immediately untangled herself from my grasp with a look of sour distaste.

'Give me the damn bandages,' she said, and I handed them to her wordlessly. 'What? Are you going to keep staring at me, or can I heal myself in peace?'

I left the room, thoughts full of Luka's decision. Could I say anything to her now/ Would she even let me acknowledge what she'd done? I didn't know, but I did know we needed to talk about it. There was no way she was avoiding this like I knew she'd do if I gave her the chance. Also knowing she wouldn't tell me when she was done bandaging herself up, I waited for a few more minutes before going back into my room.

Luka was on my bed, looking pretty mutinous. I thanked the gods for giving me the gift of being able to tell her moods at a glance – I would have to tread carefully on this one, so I stayed standing instead of sitting next to her on the bed.

'Why?' I simply asked. Despite her mood, I just wanted to get some answers.

'I need you to get to Nuriel, or had you forgotten that?' Luka said. Ah. Since she was vampire, even in her weakened state, she could've escaped Meiko eventually and come back to find me, providing I was still alive by that point. Then I noticed that she wasn't looking at me, instead staring at the wall opposite.

'But she could've killed you.'

'I was counting on the moments inbetween the swap. Otherwise she would have killed you, and where would I have been then?'

'You could've asked Kaito. Or the twins. You had a choice,' I said. Her grip tightened on the bedclothes.

'Must you press so? I am tired and hungry. Leave me be.'

'You could…' I started, but trailed off. What could I have offered? Some of my blood. It seemed to be a start on repaying the life debt that I now owed her. 'You could have some of my blood.'

'No.' The answer was quick, almost too fast.

'Why not? You're hungry, you said so yourself.'

'I said no.'

'But-'

'Miku, no.' My head snapped up as she used my name for once. She was looking at me now, and I couldn't read her expression. 'Just go. Help the others clean up, if you must.'

With that, she eased herself gently down on to the bed, hand still clutching her side, eyes closed, so I took my leave.

As the door clicked shut behind me, I wondered about what she had said. She could've just as easily picked Kaito or the twins to take her to Nuriel. I wasn't so sure about the twins, but I thought Kaito would've been happy to, even though he didn't know Luka that well. So why did she want me?

Could that mean there was actually some vague vestige of trust? I shook my head. The woman was such a mystery to me, in so many ways, and I didn't know where to start in accordance of her feelings towards me.

I knew my feelings on the matter. No matter what she did, or said, she was my friend. And now I owed her a debt, which I was going to repay one way or another.

If only life wasn't so complicated.