Another day.
Ruiko Saten was sitting down in the chair close to the bed. Mikoto Misaka and Anastasia were quietly sleeping. Anastasia slept with her head on Mikoto's chest, her arms draped around her abdomen, her left leg placed across Mikoto's legs. Emelia was sleeping on the opposite side of Anastasia, next to Mikoto. Her head curled up next to her Mistress with her arm across her belly.
Emelia had decided that the new vampires that would belong to the Mikoto household, that it would be beneficial for them to practice sleeping with their mistress. It was an ancient tradition from long ago. New vampires would go to bed with their masters or mistresses. Especially if they slumbered for prolonged periods. It protected the sleeping master or mistress but most important it brought the two together. both would become familiar with each others scent and feel. The ancient custom would make do until Mikoto Misaka turned them herself.
A young vampire with light brown eyes, short brownish hair trimmed to her shoulders stood at the edge of the bed. She had on a thin black see-through dress that fell down to her knees. Her delicate naked frame nearly visible through the frail material. she was young, barely a teen.
Emelia stirred. The young vampires' eyebrows arched, a gentle smile spreads on her lips. Then just as quick, she puckered her lips, crinkled her eyes. Emelia snuggled nearer to mikoto, continued to slumber.
Ruiko grinned, cocking her head, spoke. "Anxious? She asked, looking at the petite young girl.
"Hmmm." The young vampire spoke, not actually paying attention, watching her mistress, Mikoto Misaka.
Ruiko moved a little, getting comfortable reached, grabbed a book off the end table. "You're a little early." She sighed, placing the book on her lap.
The young vampire took a breath, "I know." She spoke softly. She peeked at Ruiko, twisting her lips, fumbling with the edge of her thin see-through dress. Ruiko waited, the young vampire looking a little restless, a little concerned.
"Is she… Is she going to…" She paused between each word, her eyes glistening ready to cry, "I mean… I was told she's kind. That she's powerful." Her words broke, her little fingers let go of the sheer fabric, letting it fall away, curled into a tiny ball.
"She is." Ruiko said, nodding her head. she wore a comforting smile on her face. Ruiko had been told that a lot of the vampires that had been claimed by Anastasia in the name of Mikoto Misaka were young. The Baron had a taste for the young girls and woman. He would often raid orphanages located in remote areas. Or taking those from families within his fiefdom.
"Really?" The young vampire turned her head, her watery eyes sparkling, her mouth gaped, her fangs glistened.
"Even before she was bitten." Ruiko closed her eyes, drifting back in her seat. She breathed out a breath, licking her lips, her cheeks red. "She's a level V. One of the strongest in Academy city." She said, "she can be bossy, rude, violent as well." She opened her eyes. Her dark eyes swirled with the traces of colors, "but she is patient, compassionate and becomes embarrassed easily." Her lips curved, "she will protect those she cares for."
The young vampire's eyes went wide, her smile widened, paying attention, Ruiko continued to speak, "that's why she stood up against the Baron. She had to protect those she holds dear." Ruiko's smile opened further. The young vampire saw her canines, they were a little longer than a common human being, almost impossible for an ordinary human being to recognize. She thinned her eyes, sniffing the air. the young vampire thought for a moment, peeking at the human girl sitting on the chair next to the bed. she knew she was human. she could smell the human scent but something was off, just a little. it wasn't familiar but she certainly wasn't 100 percent human. Her shoulders sank and her expression faded becoming a little guilty.
"I was there." She whispered, puckering her lips, looking at the ground, "I helped to attack Academy city." She said, her little chest swelled and fell with a long worried sigh. "They told us too." She said, "they didn't let us eat for four days. I was so hungry, so scared. I_" Ruiko interrupted, "that doesn't matter." She shook her head, "Mikoto won't give a care. You'll see. She'll understand."
"Really!" She turned her head, looking at Ruiko, "you mean it." She waited, her eyes glowing, lower lip quivered. "Yes… I know her." Ruiko laughed. She could see the joy in the young vampire's eyes. The smile on her face. She glowed with excitement. She sighed, nodding her head, looking at her mistress asleep. She looked at Anastasia, looking grateful.
"She saved me." she said. "Who?" Ruiko tilted her head, "who saved you?"
"Anastasia von Alucard. She turned up on the bus. We were very frightened. I couldn't take it anymore not knowing. I rushed to her bursting into tears." She murmured, swallowing, "I thought she would kill me but she seized me and bit me." She stopped, recalled the moment, "I felt her flowing into me. So, warm, so strong. I believed I finally met someone kind. Someone who cared. Then I was told I belonged to Mikoto Misaka. I was puzzled but they assured me since she had defeated the Baron. By rights, we were hers." She hesitated, "they said she was strong and kind." She chuckled, "but if Anastasia says so, Emelia says so and the others, I guess maybe… I must wait and see. Huh?" She gazed at her new Mistress Mikoto Misaka. She seemed to be happy. She seemed to be satisfied.
Ruiko slowly took a breath, closing her eyes and gripped the book a little tighter. " what's your name?" she asked, exhaling, opening her eyes and the swirls of color were gone. " Cana..." the young vampire said. " my name is Cana of the house of Mikoto." she spoke proudly, her smile stretched across her face, the tips of her fangs slipped over her lower lip.
Ruiko nodded her head, pondering what kind of life she had lived under the Baron. She had been told of the stories of his brutality. She found out when Sylvia, a vampire, a personal aide of Anastasia told her of the attack. The Baron was dead, Mikoto was wounded. Ruiko remembered the terrifying sharp pain that ripped through her body,the tears flowing from her eyes, her heartbreaking. It ripped her apart, looking at her friend lying motionless as they came through the gateway. Even now, years had past, her fingers shook and her heart throbbed just remembering her feelings. Ruiko closed her eyes, bringing her hand to her chest. her heart was pounding, banging against the palm of her hand, each thump echoed in her ears. " i need you to wake up soon, Mikoto." she whispered, exhaling her worried breath, smiled at the young vampire patiently, anxiously waiting by the bed. She picked up her book, opened it to the page and started reading again. she bit down on the lip, trying not to cry.