The trip was very silent.
She remembered that when she went out with Kurosaki, someone was driving for them, but strangely enough, Reiji dispensed the driver and now he was conducting the vehicle.
Is he mad with me? She pondered, Well, I won't be surprised. After all, I lacked tact when I asked something so personal.
"Haruka"
"Y-Yes?", she answered, a bit startled.
"I am still not feeling well, so it's dangerous to use the White Seal", he spoke quietly, his voice devoid of the usual animation and joked, "So when we arrive you will play defense until I can stabilize myself enough to use it ok?"
"Ok", she nodded, feeling a bit hesitant, "Hum… R-Reiji I'm sor…"
"… No need to apologize", he interrupted, "I feel guilty for something that I did myself, you didn't do it"
"But… I may have asked something too personal, so I want to apologize for that"
There was a long silence.
"… Yes, maybe you did ask something you shouldn't", he admitted, his voice slight strained.
From what she could catch from their conversation she noticed that his voice was very cold and restrained, like he wanted to put his emotions in check so he wouldn't overwhelm him.
He did a good job to still look collected on the outside, but she could sense how his inside was, his heart carried so much pain and guilty that made her own heart aches.
"… Be alert, our opponents will be empowered by the highest demon Nagi", he spoke suddenly, "We need to know if there's any influence or if they are following orders"
He stomped the pedal.
"If they aren't… Well, we will catch them by surprise"
-00-
The Underground City.
The place where beings that usually hates the light live and can be active, their population mostly composed of vampires.
There were a lot of these metropolises around the world, some cities being smaller or bigger than others.
The city that they were visiting was a relatively big city, phantom now, as it was seriously destroyed because of a war that happened years ago.
… Or it should be, as a crowd of elegant people of pale skin and glowing eyes were keeping watch, while others feasted on the blood of humans they brought, struggling to escape the horror.
"Haruka, analysis"
"Hum… I can't feel any energy influencing them", she answered, trying her best to not see the horrendous scene, "I can only sense their own energy"
"Well, that's good", he said, turning the key, "Do you know why I picked this car?"
She shook her head.
"Front covered with silver protection, under, silver spikes…", he pressed the accelerator, "… I other words, perfect to run the over"
There was a loud sound of turbo, which caught the attention of the undeads, who covered their eyes when a strong light coming from a vehicle blinded them.
…And ran over.
Reiji steeled the car quickly, throwing the others vampires violently and pushing the pedal to quickly escape the attacks and hit more vampires straight on, tainting the vehicle with deep crimson blood.
"W-Wow", Haruka did her best to hold onto her place as more and more vampires attacked, landing on the top of the car, trying to open the metal cover, only to be shot on the short moment Reiji stopped.
"The car is getting pretty dirty… I can barely see what's ahead", he gritted his teeth as he drove at full speed towards the heart of the abandoned city.
He put a heavy object on the pedal, and went to the back, taking her belt and embracing her.
"Be prepared", he warned her as he shot a vampire that was crawling close to the window.
The car was approaching a large building!
"R-Reiji…!"
"Now!", he opened the door brusquely, jumping as fast as he could, with the car hitting the building and making a great explosion happens.
"Are you ok?", asked Haruka as Reiji landed on his back to avoid hurting her.
"My coat was totally ripped off, but I'm fine", he nodded, standing up, "… I can do that only because I'm not a human, otherwise I would have died"
CRAM!
They looked back and saw the flames engulfing the building like a large beacon, and the old construction collapsing.
…
"Let's go!", he took her hand and started to run as fast as he could.
The other vampires were running around, panicking by the great amount of light and fire, the blazing inferno being so hot that many disintegrated.
"How… Annoying, those lowly mortals, obsessed for strength were granted with the blessing of being one of us…", a stern voice of a woman echoed through the place, a dark pillar of black energy engulfing the flames, eating it, "They only serve to taint our name"
The figure landed in front of Reiji and Haruka, the guardian already placing his hand on the scabbard.
She had incredible pale skin, glowing amber eyes, and an almost black pitch purple hair, flowing like waves and falling on her slim shoulders.
"… I don't have time to lose with you", she frowned, "I made a pact with those lowly humans, and if they manage to bring your head on a plate then I would turn them stronger"
"Heh, turning humans as vampires?", Reiji letting go of Haruka and picking his pistol, "It's uncommon for a pure blood to bother with this"
"Yes… Let's see how strong Lady Haruka is", the woman clapped, "Master Nagi is curious to know"
Black and leathery wings appeared from her back as she stood on the top of the collapsed building, her call making every vampire that wasn't killed by Reiji appearing from every building.
"Well, that's a thing"
"… Can't we call the other guardians?"
"Camus and Ranmaru are outside on a mission", Reiji assumed a fighting stance, "Ai will be designed by the boss to another mission"
There was a screech as very pale humans, with an almost deformed appearance walked, standing close to the vampires.
"Great, they made ghouls", he deadpanned.
Ghouls are another type of undead creatures, they are born after they are killed by a vampire and having all of their blood sucked by them. Like necromancers with their zombies, ghouls obey the one who killed them, turning into feral and mindless beasts.
"Haruka, make a barrier around yourself", Reij commanded, "The focus on protecting me too as I fight those monsters"
"… F-Fine"
She dropped on her knees, starting her prayer again, to give protection to her and to her guardian.
"There may be screeching and limbs flying, but you must not lose focus", he warned, "Otherwise, I will be killed"
She gulped, but nodded.
"Ok… Then… Here we go!"
There was need to waste his ammo, he took a flask from his belt and opened it, taking the flower powder and placing his power on it, and blowing it towards the ghouls, who started to screech in pain as their meat dissolved.
Well, it was easier dealing with them than necromancers.
"I can see your vital spot!", his eyes glowed as he shot the army of vampires, aiming at one of their vital points and forcing their soul to be sent to the other side.
The fight was ferocious, like a wave of raging ocean, they attacked as one, trying to use their sharp claws to rip him apart, but being stopped by an invisible barrier that bounced their efforts.
""
"It surely is useful to know where to hit so I can use one blow", he gritted his teeth as he shot one of them in the forehead, "It will be tricky, there's a lot of them!"
He spent all of his ammunition. 100 bullets, and 100 foes fallen, not counting the times he used his sword.
But there was still more and more coming.
"… As always, now I can depend only on my sword", he dual wielded his scabbard and sword, breathing deeply.
It would be easier if he just simply used his seal, but he was still too overwhelmed by negative emotions that he tried to bury deep inside his heart.
It's no good, because I'm too tense, my movements are stiff and I'm wasting too much energy to make them move properly
"… You aren't a bad opponent undertaker", the pure blood said with a bored voice, "But that wasn't what I came for"
She manifested a great and dark fog, throwing them towards the praying girl.
Haruka's brows furrowed by the sudden attack, but otherwise, she remained unharmed.
"It didn't even scratch you?", the woman didn't look surprised, flying towards Nanami, her hand full of a purple energy, "You're very strong, but I don't think you are used to battles, so you must tire pretty quickly if I attack you while you maintain the protections around that undertaker too"
The situation was bad, both could tell, it would take hours to eliminate all of the hostile forces before they would collapse of exhaustion.
He, himself, was feeling a bit tired and out of breath after slaying his 145th enemy… Or was it 147? He wasn't counting anymore.
They needed to escape.
He stopped defending himself and attacking from every direction. He ran forward, kicking his foes out of his way, slashing, stabbing, in a fast daze as his eyes got unfocused by the velocity of his strikes, reacting to the minor provocation.
-00-
The waves of attacks didn't seem to stop, but Haruka stayed firmly on her spot.
Contrary to what the pure blood would have guessed she was once in a battle. Fending for herself and mostly protecting the main fighters, she needed to endure hours and hours of pain, running around the destroyed city, being one of the greatest protectors' still standing after the assault of the demons.
The only time she allowed herself to fall on her knees and rest was when she arrived on this world.
"Hum… Your endurance is notorious", the woman talked calmly, "For such a frail looking girl to have this kind of power… No wonder masters are interested"
"…"
"You know, even for inhuman standards your partner is strong", the woman stopped for a second, looking at the struggling veteran who obliterated at least a quarter of her army, "Even under so much pressure he's doing a great job, but endurance has limits"
She still didn't reply, but her worried expression betrayed her.
"I heard he has control over you through the White Seal", she darkly chuckled, "I wonder why he isn't using it, it would make this battle much easier and less tiresome"
Yes… He always told her that as harsh as it could be he would use her power when it's needed.
… So why? Why was he avoiding using it?
"… You seem distracted"
"Hum?"
A great ball of energy hit her barrier, much stronger than the others so it caught her off guard, throwing her few meters back.
"Ugh!", she quickly recomposed herself, making a strong barrier appear.
But her enemy wasn't looking at her.
"It seems he trusted you too much and got hit on the moment the barrier weakened", the woman smiled.
She felt a pang of terror as she looked ahead and saw that he was indeed wounded, blood staining his right arm as he still fought his enemies with both hands.
The red stain is too big! If he continues like this he will die of blood loss!
She was shaking, not taking her eyes of him, fearing that if she ever got distracted again he would be hit again by the incessant wave of enemies.
His movements were slower, and she could tell that he was doing his best to ignore his pain and hide his weakness.
Please… Just use it already… Use the White Seal…!
"What a waste, so much of delicious blood being lost", the pure blood licked her lips, "… Maybe I should participate on this fight, he will day anyway, let's not make his wonderful red wine go to waste"
"Don't…"
"Hum?", the pale woman turned, sensing a great manifestation of holy energy.
"Don't you dare do anything to him!"
Tears flew freely from her eyes to try and ease the pain she felt as she ordered every fiber of her being to disobey her own instincts, making a great flare of white energy obliterate the pure blood who tried to use all of her power to protect herself.
A futile effort, as she couldn't stand a chance against the true power flowing through her body.
It has been a while since she last used her power on her own will.
It was as gruesome and nerve wrecking as she remembered.
"Stay… Back…", she breathed, trying to hold the destructive power back.
The vampires stopped on their tracks, intimidated by the aura of greatness and holy energy that emanated from the girl.
"It's my chance"
Reiji took the opportunity and ran out of the still stunned crowd, picking Haruka, who was still struggling and fleeing as fast as he could.
After the undeads finally recomposed themselves they started to follow them, but they already disappeared.
"Search for them!", one of them barked, probably, the second in command now that the great Pure blood was killed.
-00-
"Tch, we need to escape fast", Reiji breathed, talking his coat and shirt off, throwing the stained clothes on the floor, "Ugh! The bad thing about vampires is that they are like dogs, if you're hurt they can smell it"
"…"
"I didn't expect you to use your power without my interference", Reiji spoke, looking at the silent red-haired girl that looked down, "Does it mean that you can only use it if I'm in a great danger of being killed? Well, nice to know that I can count on you"
"Don't joke about that!"
He was surprised; it was the first time he even heard the girl scream.
There were tears staining her face, the struggle to keep her array of emotions in check.
"It's not funny", her voice sounded hoarse, "I saw many people die… Even when I tried my best, even forcing myself to step out of my supportive role and fight along them!"
Her shoulders were shaking as she embraced herself.
"Every part of my body is against killing, I was born just because of the pain that a war causes", she sobbed, "Spilling blood is… Against everything that makes me who I am, and I'm not speaking in a figurative way!"
She was almost breaking down.
He sighed frustrated, that was what he wanted to avoid.
"Sorry to make you do everything", he patted her head.
"… Why didn't you use the White Seal?", she asked, "You're the one who said that you would use it when the situation needed"
"I told you", he pressed her harder against his chest, "If I used it in my current situation you would have a mental breakdown"
He didn't want to make her know the pain that he felt for years, the guilty was too heavy for anyone to bear, but him.
"My life isn't as important as the hope to end this mess", he continued, silencing her with a look when she opened her mouth to argue, "There's no point on denying it, you already could see with your own eyes"
She stayed in total silence, not knowing what to say.
"… But I guess it was also my own selfishness mixed in", he let a bitter and pained laugh, "Heh, and I was scolding my juniors when I let my personal problems get to me, to be truly honest, I was worried"
"About what?"
"About you", he explained, messing with her hair a bit before he stepped back, "I wouldn't forgive myself if you feel into a comma"
Feel into a comma?
Was that connected to what happened on his past?
"Geez… I feel tired", he tried to stretch, "I bet I killed over 453 enemies… Man, that's too much for me, even if I'm not human"
"Your wound…"
"Hum?"
"May I see it?"
"Are you sure?", he blinked, "Didn't you say that you can only heal well you're feeling alright?"
"I'm fine", she replied, approaching him, the tips of her finger glowing with a faint white light, "I'm relieved that I could save you on time"
"Ok, go ahead"
She placed her hands on the red and deep wound, trying to ignore how her stomach turned when she touched the red liquid and focusing only on closing the wound.
She felt a strong hand gently massaging the base of her neck to her head.
"You seem too tense", Reiji chuckled, a bit of humor back in his voice, "I guess seeing wounds still doesn't sit well for you right?"
She nodded, thanking him mentally as she felt herself relax enough to close the wound.
"It's closed", she took her hands off.
"Thanks", he nodded, "Let's go"
"Right", she nodded.
"… I'm feeling better now, so I guess I can use the White Seal", he stared her, "But… Are you prepared? You already forced yourself too much back then"
"I can endure it", she replied with determination, before her features softened, "Besides… I can sense it, you're more calm, so I don't fear it"
"You're too trusting", he shook his head, "You shouldn't bother showing kindness to a bad man like me"
"You aren't a bad person", Haruka smiled, "I'm sure of it"
"Really? Are you sure?", he approached her dangerously, his face very close to her, before he whispered on her ear, the hot breath trickling the sensitive skin, making her shudder and her heart beat fast, "You known, I'm kind of dangerous"
"A-Ah…"
"… Just kidding", he stood back, winking, "Let's go"
She felt her knees getting weak.
There was a new and confusing feeling overwhelming her at the moment.
B-But it sort of feels nice, she pressed her chest as she followed him.
-00-
They exited the building, and ran towards a spacious plaza, the place infested with pale skinned vampires and their ghouls.
"They will be arriving soon", he looked at her, "Are you prepared?"
"Yes"
"Ok then…", he looked around as the vampires advanced.
The White Sigil shone very strong, but Haruka didn't feel any different, no feeling or desire coming from the man but a strong willpower, capable of enduring anything that could be throw at him, and shaking it of, not letting it bother him enough to not smile.
"Now", he looked back, smiling at her, "You can use your full power, my strong will power won't let you fall to despair"
A great power came from the inner of her heart, a dazzling light that could illuminate the sky, a small star that would even make the night looks like day.
She threw the golden light towards the ceiling of underground city, making all of its extension be covered by the intense light.
The vampires tried their best to shield themselves, but the light burned their skin fiercely, turning them slowly into dust as well as their ghouls, linked by their masters' death.
Haruka felt her knees weak again, almost collapsing, but being caught by Reiji, who adjusted her in a way that her head rested on the crook of his neck.
"You did well", he held her, "Are you alright?"
"Yes…", she nodded, feeling too exhausted.
"Huh, great to hear that"
"… You shouldn't carry so many burdens", her voice was soft, but it was clear that she was slipping into the dream world, "I could sense it, you have a strong will power to endure everything"
"So… You noticed"
"Yes… Please don't hurt yourself, you're a good person", she spoke before she breathed evenly, which indicated that she as sleeping.
"Good person huh? Hearing you say it I can almost believe myself", he chuckled, placing a kiss on her hand, strangely enough, feeling a bit lighter, "Now I know why they fell for you, I'm almost falling for the same trap"
-00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000-
And… Reiji passed everyone with a car and is way ahead, Ai is still clueless, Aine isn't awaken, Camus is… At the same place as the last time, and Ranmaru is… Still where he was since he last appeared.
Don't worry Ran-ran! I shall make a good scene…!
Eventually*bricked*
Ahem, let's answer the reviews, REVIEW TIME!
ANONIMO- It will take a while for anything happen at all as the senpais are hard-hearted to the core and effing difficult to melt XD
InnocentSerenade- It isn't something so big, it's just that I'm not revealing it. I know, I shall make a whole chapter for Ran-ran and it will be glorious! Mwhahahaa! Hum… I don't do badly on math, I guess I can offer a bit of help if you need to study?
PassionMusic- *Is hugged and fall on the floor* Eli? That's a cute nickname, MWASHAHSH, I hope the readers don't think I'm too biased towards Ai, I am an expert in writing awkward dorks, so it isn't difficult to come with a scene for him, but Reiji is also easy! He's an interesting character to work with. As much as Camus love sweets? Wow, thanks! How would you feel if Aine joined Haruka's Har-*shot* Yes, Ran-ran is behind everyone and if he was real he would strangle me XD, but I will make up to him.