Blood-Bound
by kawaii-witch181
Chapter X
Furnish
To say everything was well was an understatement. After the first day of her ex-deceased guest's visit at Seishun High, the auburn haired girl was bombarded with questions the next day. Like, 'Who's he?', 'Is he your boyfriend?', 'Are you two dating? You should have told me!'. The auburn haired girl, at that time, only nervously chuckled. She couldn't just tell them something about him. That was like…invasion of privacy or something. Even the basic of information was a no-no. After all, nosy people carried the dangers of knowledge. They somehow found a way to know the deepest darkest secrets of all. So she just answered a simple safe reply, "He's my friend, taking a vacation here and all." Then she flashed those students an awkward yet somehow good-natured smile, and the inquirers finally settled down.
Sakuno Ryuzaki was known for her smile of finality—a one of a kind quirk of the lips that demanded no further comments or arguments. When it adorned her timid expression, people almost immediately sensed it was time to shut up, the end of the conversation. So, when her mysterious friend arrived the next day, emitting an aura like he was Sakuno's boyfriend or anything similar, Seishun High did its best not to ask. Even Tomoka, Sakuno's infinitely loud-mouthed best friend, didn't dare question her personal affairs.
"Did you wait long?" The sixteen year old witch asked, screeching at a stop in front of him.
The ex-deceased guy shook his head, removing his back away from the wall. It was a routine now. He would always wait for her arrival after classes. He would lean at the nearby wall, not paying heed on the attention he was receiving.
"You're early," Ryoma stated in monotone; but Sakuno noticed a slight wonder coating his tone.
Several weeks had already gone. The amber eyed teen had managed to adjust to the living once again. He was a little more open to Sakuno now. It was only a little, but an improvement, nonetheless.
Sakuno fidgeted a bit. "I…I have to finish reading about the Witch License. I'm thinking of applying to one…"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow to display his silent inquiry.
"Oh, umm… I'm not sure about the details yet…"
Why was she feeling all fidgety and shy all of a sudden? It wasn't like she needed his approval or something like that. Sure, they'd grown so close (in her opinion, that is) for only a span of several weeks. Ryoma would occasionally say something about what kind of specific dish he wanted. And then he'd let her know some stories he remember when he was still alive. It wasn't that much, but at least, she was getting to know him better.
The amber eyed lad pulled down the brim of his cap, shadowing his eyes. He suddenly wanted to rest then and there. But the light tap on his arm made him look up, only to see his reviver's worried face.
"Hey, Ryoma-kun. Are you okay?"
His silence made her feel weird. Usually, he'd say something a little bit akin to the blunt side…but today, she felt like he was…tired.
Ryoma gave her a nod. "Why you ask?"
A worried frown made way to her facial features. "You look pale."
He was confused. He definitely felt fine. "I'm well, I assure you."
...
The walk home, as usual, allowed the two to engage into the world of conversation.
"Ryuzaki, where are you parents?" The dark green haired lad asked all of a sudden. "You're living alone?" He noticed her look down.
"They died." The auburn haired girl answered in that neutral tone of hers. "In a plane crash. Grandma died, too…last year. That's why I'm doing my best to be a spectacular witch." She wasn't sure what exactly happened. Her memory appeared foggy. All she knew was that her parents died in a plane crash. She left it like that and didn't try remembering anymore. Nothing would change if she remembered anyway.
"You once said your grandma is a witch, too. Does that mean your mother is one?"
Oh, so he noticed that little detail, huh. Sakuno lightly shook her head. "No, Mommah isn't one. Since Grandma married a pure human, the witch's blood takes an alternate jump, which made me inherit this witch ability. But if I marry a wizard or someone magical, then my daughter will be a witch, too. Or my son will be a wizard."
"Oh," was all Ryoma managed to say. He suddenly felt bad…for making her sad like that. He could read her, not very clearly, but when it came about her being upset, he just knew. "I apologize for bringing that about your parents… Gomen na, Ryuzaki."
A smile vaguely brightened her gloom. "It's alright. It's normal for people to ask for your parents, you know. I don't mind."
"It must have been hard for you." He patted her head, which made her close her eyes and lean on that touch of his for comfort.
Before they knew it, the both of them arrived at the Ryuzaki residence. Sakuno hurriedly walked up to her room, leaving her ex-deceased companion to close the front door.
Ryuzaki was leaving me alone for days now.
Ryoma almost sighed, kind of feeling lonely. He understood his reviver needed as much time as possible to grasp her powers thoroughly. But she'd only come down at dinner then she'd be back at her room, reading those dammed old books about Necromancy. There was only a conversation, or two, happening between them. Okay, he was pissed. Who wouldn't? His only friend didn't pay attention to him anymore. Selfish, he knew. But he couldn't help it. He already started leaning to her for an amity he couldn't say no to.
Ryoma plopped down on the sofa.
Annoying thoughts be dammed. He was suddenly sleepy…and weak….
What—
His eyelids drooped and he drifted to unconsciousness.
...
The time struck five in the afternoon when the sixteen year old girl paid a visit downstairs. She had finished entirely reading the fundamentals of Witch Licensure. She was just about to turn around the corner for the kitchen when she noticed her ex-deceased companion sprawled on the intricately-designed carpet at the living room.
Chocolate brown orbs widened at the sight in front of her. Her legs instantly moved and she found herself leaning down beside the guy's laying form.
"Ryoma-kun! W-What…?" Her breath hitched. Ryoma's chest wasn't moving at all. Her heart thumped so fast against her own sturdy ribcage. She placed a hand above the opening of his mouth. No breathing. Why was he not breathing?! What happened?! Sakuno didn't know what to do. Terror struck her. Was Ryoma gonna disappear, too? Leave her?
Suddenly, the sound of the clock was the only thing she could hear. Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Said the clock in urgency. It was as if the essence of time itself was telling her to hurry.
What was she supposed to do?!
The book! Her conscience shrieked. And it hit her like a glacier. The book! The book! Of course!
Sakuno abruptly stood up and dashed up in her room as fast as she could. She hastily reached the drawer beside her bed, hands trembling all the while. She flipped the old pages hurriedly, almost ripping them apart. She didn't give a care anymore. She had to know what was wrong with him! Her knees shakily buckled underneath her but she ignored them. Ryoma-kun was more important right now.
Reminder: A drop of blood is needed to keep the revived going. Every end of the month, actually. If neglected, the revived will return back to the grim hands of death itself. Do not forget.
With these words, chocolate brown eyes widened all the more. Her whole body trembled. How could she have not known about this? The reminder was practically vital for Ryoma's well-being! How could she omit reading this small piece of information?! And she even asked if he was okay earlier this afternoon! Such insensitiveness she had!
She quickly scampered down the stairs and into the kitchen, grabbing the nearest sharp object—a butter knife—on her wake. She immediately bolted out of the room, feeling all frightened once again. If Ryoma died on her, she wouldn't know what to do. She already had too many losses. He mustn't join the list.
Upon reaching the amber-eyed boy's laying form, she kneeled and pressed the butter knife at her thumb until it draw blood. With still trembling fingers, she positioned the bleeding finger atop her companion's now pale lips. She squeezed it, enough to drop her blood for Ryoma to drink.
Sakuno tensely watched, silently praying that it wasn't too late. She waited, and just when her breathing almost stopped because of no change, she was finally rewarded with Ryoma's healthy color coming back. She measurably touched his arm, and breathed a sigh of relief afterwards. His warmth was finally spreading and his breathing was coming back in a normal pace.
"Mou, Ryoma-kun." Sakuno's eyes closed tiredly. "Stop scaring me, please."
And her aberrant beating heart eventually returned to normal.
A/N: Pardon the time skip ~ *not sounding apologetic at all*
Brain: Then why say an apology?!
I was supposed to post one whole chapter with total words of 3,334. But I couldn't. The chapter would be a monster. *wails* So, I cut it in half. :P By the way, if you ever see Blood-Bound at the top of the fanfiction list after the recent update it's because of editing issues. XD
Announcement regarding the next update: Can I, please, slack off for a moment? That means no update for the next week. I'm announcing a break, readers. Stop! Don't throw a tantrum yet. I just need a break, okay? At least, grant me that. *tired sigh* I don't have any new reviewers. *another tired sigh*