The Friend – Chapter 10

The girl held up her hands, showing that she was unarmed and harmless. The action didn't really calm the bubbling sense of dread Hanaru and I felt.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you both. I heard a terrible cry out of nowhere and came to check it out." She stepped forward again. Hanaru tried to move in front of me but even that simple step proved too much for him for he nearly doubled over. He let out a small cry of pain, moving his hand to his back to sooth his aching injury.

Gasping, the girl walked hastily to us, each of her steps looked like as if she were gliding over the grass. It was quite a paradox. She looked and acted almost as if she was a vampire and yet I was completely sure that she was 100% human. In any case, I stood my ground. There would be no use in trying to run away like this, it would only reopen Hanaru's wounds. Besides, the girl looked as if she had good intentions, despite her chilling appearances. Hanaru withdrew slightly when the girl grasped his arm but she persisted in the act and eventually helped him stand back up. I felt much better now that I only had to carry half his weight.

"I know of a town just beyond the forest. It should only be a half hour walk from here," she said, pointing in the direction of the dense woodland.

I nodded curtly stealing a glance at Hanaru telling him to keep his trap shut. I wouldn't allow him to die here. If Fate was granting me an opportunity, I was definitely going to seize it.

"My name is Sachi, what's yours?" she inquired as we started shuffling though the grass.

I contemplated for a second on whether or not I should tell Sachi my real name. I decided on the former, I mean, how much worse could it get? "Rima."

"Oh, that's a splendid name Rima!" the girl exclaimed, her red eyes flashing in the sunlight, "And yours?" She nudged Hanaru softly, which roused him from near unconsciousness.

"Hanaru," he mumbled, too much in distress to resist.

"Well Hanaru, once we arrive in town, my grandmother can fix you up in a jiffy." Sachi seemed fully of energy, apparently not noticing that we weren't much talkers.

Still, she continued to hold up the conversation even with our numbed silence. "Not that you really need it, your back seems to be healing just fine." She indicated to the blood-drenched cloak that clung to his skin. Sachi was right. The blood had more or less stopped by now and scabs were already starting to form underneath the material as far as I could see.

"You must have used Arnica roots, no?" She was quite the chatter.

I snapped up from my analysis of Hanaru's healing process. "Um, yes. How did you know?" As far as I could tell, there was never really a way of distinguishing what herbs you used for a single type of injury. By now we had reached the forest, the dense undergrowth and twisting branches deeming a nearly impossible feat to get through. Sachi marched in straight away, dragging Hanaru and I along with her.

Sachi softly laughed and that too sounded wonderful to my ears as she ducked below a large branch. "You must be new to these parts. Arnica is the only injury-treating plant that grows here." Her brows furrowed somewhat. "But never have I ever seen Arnica grow during this season. You must have been quite a lucky fellow to find something that rare."

"Uh, yes," I muttered. Sachi was really starting to get on my nerves with all her incessant chattering. She must have noticed my irritated expression because she closed her open mouth and concentrated on working ourselves through the many overhanging branches that smacked in our face. I noticed as I swatted leaves away from my face that the trail that we were talking appeared as if it was less thick than the surrounding forest. Sachi must have traveled to and from her town quite a bit to create such a path.

She suddenly answered my unspoken question, "I travel from my town a lot and I use this trail most of the time." It may have only been my imagination and internal fatigue but I swore that she sounded quite dismal when she spoke of her town. I didn't get a chance to ask her though because the forest suddenly gave away to a peaceful, abundant grassland. The rest of the forest encircled the large clearing and in the center stood a small town with what seemed like two guards posted at the entrance. What really caught my eye about this landscape was a single cherry blossom tree that stood next to the town and it was in full bloom. The distinct smell of the flowers reached my nose nearly instantly and I wasted no time to take a deep breath of air.

"So beautiful," I breathed, in awe at the tender scenery that I stood upon.

Sachi took a deep breath as well and Hanaru was conscious long enough to take in the scenery before he passed out again.

"It's been too long," she murmured. We both hoisted Hanaru's arms back on our shoulders and we walked swiftly to town.

.

"Halt," the heavier of the two guards exclaimed.

Sachi continued walking but the other guard blocked her way.

"Move," she spat, her red eyes full of venom. She looked extremely deadly now and by the way the guard that blocked her was cowering, he thought so as well.

The larger guard stepped in to help his scrawnier friend. "You're not allowed to stay here."

"I live here."

"That's not what everybody else thinks."

"Who gives a donkey's behind about what you people think? This is my home and I intended to be treated as such."

"We don't want a cur–" The guard stopped for he was interrupted by another voice, an elderly voice that was beaten with age.

"Let her come in." The voice belonged to an aged woman that stood behind the two guards, her piercing gaze melting the guard's hardened exterior.

"As you wish Elder Chie," the guards both said grudgingly, moving aside to let us through. Without the two guards in the way, I had a much better view of this woman. Her hair was light gray and was pulled back into a neat bun with chopstick to stick it in place. Although quite aged, the woman looked full of life and authority. Her hazel eyes, although firm, softened into a loving expression as she saw Sachi.

Sachi released her grasp on Hanaru's shoulder, nearly sending me to the ground with the abrupt shift in weight. "Grandma, I'm back!" she cried, pulled herself into a tight embrace with the elder.

"Welcome back Sachi. I hope your travels have gone well," she cast her gaze on us and I couldn't help but straighten myself to attention, "And you've brought friends as well."

Grabbing Hanaru's arm again, Sachi presented the both of us in front her grandmother. "This is Rima and this is Hanaru," she said pointing to each of us as she said our names, "I found them just beyond the other side of the forest. He's hurt badly." She turned Hanaru's body so that his back was exposed to her grandmother.

The lady gasped and pointed a bony finger to a small hut in front of us. "Take him there and lay him on the bed. Strip the bandages off and I'll be back with healing ointments." We did as we were instructed, dragging Hanaru by his arms to the cottage.

Inside, with our combined strength, Sachi and I managed to lay Hanaru with his back up on the mattress that was situated on the far corner of the room. I undid the extensive knots in the cloak and gently pulled them off to reveal the four healing gash marks down his back. I managed to choke down my surprise. I had nearly forgotten exactly how extensive his wounds were. Again, I felt the same sense of uselessness washing over me as I sat against the wall next to the bed. This entire time, I had been able to cope with the searing pain in both my arm and legs from trying to sustain Hanaru's weight. Now that I could finally have a moment to myself, the reality of my exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave. I was shaking from the experience but I bit my bottom lip and decided to deal with it just a bit longer. For now, Hanaru was the one that need the medical care. Before long, Sachi's grandmother entered the hut, carrying fresh bandages and medicines of sort in one hand while holding an oil lamp in another. She set the lamp on the side of the mattress and see kneeled opposite of me next to Sachi.

She lightly ran her fingers along the deep markings, a troubled expression plastered clearly on her face. "I had no idea it was this serious."

I bit down on my lip harder. Would this woman think I was crazy if I told her what had made those slashes? Would she even go so far as to kick me out of her village? No, I concluded, she appeared trustable enough with my vital information. "Well you see Elder Chie, Hanaru was attacked by–"

"Vampires. I already know my dear."

I was shocked, how in the world could this woman know about the existence of those creatures? "But how did you know?" I felt myself stumbling over the words.

Elder Chie cast a quick glance at Sachi who was turning a deep shade of pink. "I'm surprised Sachi didn't tell you already. This is a vampire hunter village, dear." The elder's hazel eyes fell on me expectantly.

"A-a what?" I stammered, trying to comprehend what I had just heard.

"A vampire hunter village," the old woman repeated again with more emphasis, "Where family of vampire hunters live and train their children."

My mind was spiraling out of control. Vampire hunter village? I never knew such a thing existed. Granted, for the past six years of my life I've been learning a lot about the cold, cruel world we live in. I wanted to ask one of the many questions waiting to be answered inside my head but a soft mumble from the body on the mattress next to us brought us all back to the situation at hand. I clamped my mouth shut, reminding myself that right now it was all about Hanaru's recovery.

I watched patiently for the next hour as Elder Chie thoroughly examined the flesh wound and applied healing ointment on each. By the time she was satisfied with her work and began to bandage the cuts, my eyelids had already began drooping. The ache I felt in my arm and legs now had a steady throbbing sensation.

Elder Chie clapped her hands together in delight. "There, all finished darling. You'll be good as new tomorrow morning." Hanaru grunted in response and even in my beyond tired state, I could hear that his strength was already starting to return. Finally, I felt much of my distress lifted and I slowly allowed myself to sleep.

Faintly, I could hear the woman speak with Sachi, who had already fallen asleep awhile back. "Sachi dear, let's leave them to their rest. They must be exhausted."

I didn't have a chance to see or hear Sachi's response because my eyelids drooped down for the last time as I drifted into a deep slumber.

.

I was dimly aware of a gnawing sensation in my lower abdomen as I regained consciousness. Pushing the feeling aside, I continued to try to leech a few more minutes of my much-needed rest. To much of my disappointment, the sensation continued, stronger this time and I heard a soft rumble from my stomach.

My brows knitted together as I grasped my hungry stomach. "Quiet will you? I'm trying to get some rest."

It didn't listen and persisted in its consistent protesting. I sighed, giving in to the temptation of food and slowly lifted my eyelids. The little cottage was still dark, hints of sunlight pouring into the room from the entrance telling me it was the beginning of sunrise. I stood up gradually, letting the joints in my arms and legs pop as I stretched each muscle. My body felt stiff from the position I had slept in but well rested. My mind was newly refreshed after going days without restful sleep. I stole a glance to Hanaru who had shifted to sleeping on his side. His gashes were healing at a fast pace and I nodded, satisfied with the progress. I tiptoed to the doorway, a bit hesitant on leaving Hanaru in the hut alone. It was a silly thought; after all, this was a vampire hunter village. I should have felt more protected than ever staying here. With that mindset, I set out in search of breakfast.

Outside, with the absence of the sun, a chilly morning breeze swept over the village, causing me to rub my arms. I walked around aimlessly, trying to find the food my stomach so desperately craved. However, the streets were mostly empty, aside for a few people who cast almost angry-looking glances at me as they walked past. Eventually, after wondering around, I came across a clearing at the far end of town where a group of young children were scattered around and training. Having given up on my hope of food, I approached a group standing next to a wooden pole. They all stared at me suspiciously as I came closer but returned to whatever they were doing when they realized I was only observing. A boy a few years younger than me stepped closer to the pole, which was stuck firm in the ground, and raised his leg and smacked it against the pole, producing a dull thudding sound. The pole didn't budge. He did it again and again, smacking it harder and harder each time until on his fifth try, the pole fell to the ground. All the children around him looked fairly impressed and I knew that I was amazed at his strength. I lightly clapped but stopped with another glare from the children. As the boy refitted the pole back into the ground, my attention shifted to the group next to them, who where clearly strengthening their endurance. Both girls and boy ran barefooted through a set of obstacles before racing to hand a stick to their partner who did the same and handed it back. They did this several time without stopping and I couldn't help but gawk at their amazing stamina. Next to that group of children, another was learning how to dodge attacks. Adults swung at their partnered child while the child swiftly dodged, most of the time. Those who were quick enough were dealt a hard blow to either the stomach or cheek. I winced but was amazed at how they brushed off the attack as nothing and continued with the training. They were merely little children, no older than thirteen and yet they had the strength and speed of somebody twice their age.

It was startling how all of it was for the purpose of extinguishing vampires.

In the mist of my awe, cold fingers touched the inside of my palm, causing me to spin around in surprise. I visibly relaxed when I saw that it was only Sachi, a broad smile plastered on her face, the happiness of her expression offsetting her bone-rattling red eyes. She held a bowl of porridge in her other frail hand, my mouth automatically salivating as I looked at it. Sachi followed my gaze and laughed, holding up the bowl to my face.

"It's for you. I've been trying to find you all over the village," she explained as I grabbed the bowl out of her hands and started wolfing it down like a wild animal.

She eyed me for a second with a bemused look on her fair face before turning to observe the kids that I had a moment ago. Her eyes looked sad as she watched the children train. One boy looked up from his endurance practice and gave her a death stare before returning to his training. She just sighed and turned around. I did the same, feeling uncomfortable as more kids momentarily stopped their training to looked at us as the boy had.

I leaned over to Sachi, feeling their eyes drill holes into my head. "Are they always like this?" I whispered as I set the cleaned out bowl back in her hands.

"Whenever I come within a ten feet distance, yes."

My curiosity sparked. First it had been the guards at the entrance and now these kids. The only person who didn't seem to mind Sachi was her grandmother. "If I may ask, why is that?"

Sachi sighed and focused her eyes straight ahead, "It's a long story."

I looked back towards the rising sun. It would still be quite awhile before Hanaru would awaken. "We have time."

She nodded, absentmindedly agreeing. Her pale hand slipped into mine as she tugged me forward, bidding me to walk with her. I did as directed, matching my steps with hers.

Sachi took a deep breath. It was obvious she didn't relay her life story with many people, not that I was the one to talk. "The people treat me this way because I'm a cursed child." She took a peek at my reaction before continuing. "Those born with red eyes around these parts are considered to bring nothing but bad luck and calamity to anybody who associates themselves with the person. When I was born, my mother didn't believe in the nonsense that everybody around her told her. She thought I was a blessing and gave me this accursed name."

"But Sachi, something like that can't define you," I interjected.

She laughed coldly. "You would think that right? But when I was about seven, my mother contracted a fatal illness and died with in two days. I was devastated. She had been the only person that believed in a bright future for me."

Sachi's eyes grew darker and you could practically see the painful memories replaying themselves in front of her eyes. "After her death, everything changed. I knew my father always hated me but he loved my mother so he kept his feelings to myself. However after my mother's death, he neglected me and blamed me for bringing a curse upon her. He didn't give a shit about what happened to me. I had to learn how to do everything by myself or I'd die."

When Sachi stopped to take another breather, tears were forming in her eyes and I felt the urge to squish her in a tight hug. However she persisted in her story. "It was only a few years later when he died too. I was only ten at the time. And nobody cared that I was an orphan. I spent most of my time trying to get by in the small hut my parents had left." Sachi spat on the ground, her teeth ground, fury radiating through her eyes. "All of them wanted me dead and I knew it. They were all afraid that the same fate would befall them if they related themselves with me. It's because of that fear that I was never trained to become a vampire hunter, no teacher wanted to train me. They all left me to rot."

I watched Sachi slowly unclench her tightened fists and her whole frame visibly relax. "Elder Chie took me in when I was 13. She took care of me and made me felt like I belonged. She acted like a real grandmother to me. She's the only person in this god-forsaken town that gives a flip about what happens to me. That's why I decided to travel." I thought I heard a tinge of anxiety in her voice but it may have just been my imagination. By this time we had stopped at the front of the village, sun rays beginning to peak over the horizon.

"So, what do you think?" Sachi eyed me expectantly. Just by looking in her eyes I knew that she didn't want my pity. All her life she'd only been judged and harassed because of her appearances and a silly old legend.

Like me, she had been hurt and betrayed.

I knew I could give her something that we both needed. Friendship.

Grasping her small shoulder, I looked Sachi directly in the eye, my voice unwavering. "I think you need a friend."

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Why do I come up with the cheesiest title names? D: Note to self: Come up with better titles in the future.

Lols, anyways, people! I'm quite dissapointed in the amount of reviews! D: It makes me very sad, which is probably why is chapter is...not interesting. Its just background about Sachi that you need for the epic ending :D And btw Sachi means blessed or lucky in Japanese, I totally did my research!

Like I said, epical ending coming up. :D I'm so sad this story is gonna end soon. Oh well, I already have another for my next story! And I'm sure I can make it all VK characters this time :]

So uhh I got not much else to say except for the fact that I update alot faster o.o Its scary ik, I'm just so dedicated.

Which is why you guys should REVIEW. I would beg but that would seem not cool.