SHINYA'S POV
After their reunion everyone helped Guren's squad get settled into their new rooms. Now, Shinya sat at the bar twirling around the collar he had taken off Mika as he watched Goshi pour himself another drink. He looked over his shoulder at Mika. She was sitting on one of the couches next to Horn as Chess laid across their laps whispering something back and forth with Mika as they giggled. Horn smacked Mika's shoulder, making both vampires laugh harder. Horn even laughed now along with them. Yuu looked amused also and shook his head at whatever they were saying. It appeared all the ladies were enjoying themselves as they talked. Even Mito, Sayuri and Shigure looked a little more comfortable.
"You guys have been here… this whole time and you haven't touched any of this? …hic…" Goshi said between long sips of some drink he had concocted for them.
"Maybe you should slow down Goshi…" Narumi said. Shinya and Narumi hadn't even finished their first drink while Goshi was on number four now.
"Nah… we don't get to drink in the military since alcohol is banned and we are celebrating!" Goshi said killing half the glass.
"You're going to regret it in the morning." Yoichi said.
"You can celebrate but do you need to get inebriated?" Shinya asked with a little smile.
"Yes… hic… I do. I'll tell you why..." He started as he gestured to Crowley who was sitting on a bar stool next to Shinya.
"I'm sitting here drinking with a vampire… who almost killed us… watching another vampire braiding Shinoa's hair…" He took another sip of his drink and Crowley chuckled. Shinya glanced over again at the gathering of humans and vampires in the lounge to see Horn was in fact braiding Shinoa's hair.
"… and you're knockin' boots with a vampire." He added. Shinya spit his drink back into his cup at the casual remark and coughed as the alcohol that he accidently inhaled burned his lungs.
"Did you just say 'knockin' boots' Goshi?" Kimizuki asked as he sat down on a bar stool next to Narumi.
"I did." Goshi said.
"What does that even mean?" Yoichi asked.
"Oh?" Crowley said as he leaned on the bar to see Shinya's eyes. Shinya purposely avoided his gaze.
If looks could kill…
Goshi began to pour another drink but partially missed the glass.
"Okay, you've had enough." Narumi said taking the bottle away.
After some protesting, Shinya and Narumi helped Goshi to his new room and into bed. Narumi was pulling off his boots for him as Shinya brought in a blanket.
"Hey…" Goshi called out to them just as they were about to leave. "Is it really okay to trust them? I mean… years of fighting against them… them killing us, us killing them… I can't wrap my head around it." He asked
"Nn, it's fine. These vamps are at least. Get some rest." Narumi said as he left. Shinya hung back a little longer. He waited until Narumi was at the other of the hall before he asked.
"How is he, Guren?"
"Don't really know… most of the time he's working with Kureto or Seishiro. Today was the first time any of us had really talked to him since we went on that mission and ended up capturing Mika." Goshi said softly.
"Ended up?" Shinya inquired.
"Ya, Guren said he had some reports or something about a vampire being in the area that night… I don't know… it all felt… I don't know…" He stammered a bit as he rubbed his head trying to find the words.
"It's fine. Get some sleep, we can talk more tomorrow." Shinya said as he turned to leave.
"So… hic… you and a vampire huh… never saw that coming…" Goshi chuckled.
"Aha~ yes, me neither but it's true… I do adore her." Shinya smiled over his shoulder at him.
"She seems nice. As long as you're happy Shinya, just take care of each other."
"Nn, of course." He said confidently as he moved to leave again.
"I think… Kureto is planning to attack the vampire city soon… as in the next few days." Goshi said as he tucked himself in.
Shinya paused in the doorway with his back to him as he considered his words. He didn't respond, they all knew it'd happen eventually. It was inevitable. He looked back and Goshi had already fallen asleep anyways. The vampires were already aware of an impending battle. However, the fact that none of them had spoken much to Guren recently is what had him worried. They were all close friends, they had always been and they trusted each other more than anyone else. He quietly closed door and went back into the living room where everyone was still gathered.
Crowley sat on the couch beside Yuu as he was pretty much interrogated by Shigure, Mito and Sayuri. Apparently Mika, Horn and Chess had already had their fill of questions and answers for the evening. They asked question after question about vampires, same as Shinya and the rest did to him when they first met him and Mika. He just listened to Crowley's careful responses. He noticed he'd skirt over the more crucial questions about vampires in reference to their power and weaknesses or their general biology…
To protect them I suppose…
"I'm just stunned, this has all been very surprising." Shigure said shaking her head.
"Yes, I was taught vampires couldn't even have… intimate desires…" Sayuri said a little uncomfortably.
"Well, we could always test that theory. I'm over 800 years old so I'd like to think I've perfected the technique…" Crowley said with a smirk.
"My Lord…" Horn said in a somewhat scolding yet respectful tone.
"You pervert!" Mito said throwing a pillow at him. Sayuri turned completely red and stuttered something inaudible.
"Come now Sayuri, we're going to bed." Mito pulled Sayuri off the couch along with Shigure and stormed past Shinya. Crowley just chuckled as the other three vampires gave him a disapproving look. Shinya had to stifle a laugh.
"What?" He said feigning ignorance before he stood up and stretched.
"Alright, Mika. Shall we have a chat?" He added with a more serious tone of voice as the other three stood up to join him. They all left the room one by one following Crowley outside. He wondered where they would disappear to and talk about sometimes…
"I can't believe they're all here now." Yoichi said.
"Nn, I'm happy to see they're all here and well too." Shinya mused.
"None of them really know what's going on with Guren though…" Yuu added.
"Well he sent them out of the city and to us, he must have some sort of plan." Said Kimizuki. "I'm getting tired of not knowing what's going on with my sister or the military…"
"They're his squad though, his family…" Yuu said.
"Well, we just need to be prepared. Let's look at the bright side, we have two strong squads now." Mitsuba said.
Shinya thought of his conversation with Goshi earlier, it was clear Guren wanted them out of the city and away from the JIDA. Why that was, he wasn't sure. If Goshi was right in his assumptions, there could be an attack on the vampire city soon. But why send them away? The only people he could trust. They had been fighting vampires all this time, why now? He was thankful he got Mika out of there safely but he couldn't help but wonder what the repercussions of doing that would be. No one had ever helped a vampire escape…
"Good Night~" Shinoa said as they all left for bed.
"Ah, good night." Shinya acknowledged.
"What time is it even?" Narumi mumbled with yawn down the hallway.
Shinya was getting into bed having changed into his sweat clothes. It was close to two in the morning now. He hadn't even noticed the time go by since everyone arrived and he was still wide-awake but decided to try and get some rest. He gazed over at Byakkomaru leaning in the corner near his bed. It wouldn't be long before his rifle became an inseparable part of him again he thought. He heard footsteps pass by his room.
Mika…
He rolled off the bed and left his room to head towards Mika's. He knocked softly on her door but there was no answer. He slowly opened her door, he could hear water running but didn't see her. Her room was completely dark inside.
"Mika…" He said walking in further.
"Boo." Mika said as she pulled him into the dark bathroom.
"Aha~ what are you doing in here?" He asked.
"I was going to shower..." She replied.
"In the dark?"
"I don't really need any light…" She said, her voice was more seductive than usual as he felt her arms around his neck pulling him down to her height.
He couldn't see anything but he felt her lips on his. His breath hitched as he put his arms around her now feeling the bare skin of her back. As his hands moved down it was clear she was completely unclothed already. Desire quickly intoxicated him as he pulled off his shirt. The softness of her chest pressed against his, their kisses became more raw… more intense. Mika pushed him out of the bathroom and onto the bed. She began unbuttoning his pants and pulled them down slightly. He felt her hands move down his abs and then she softly kiss the dips of his abs. In the dark he couldn't see where she was or what she was doing… but it heightened his other senses, making every touch from her more intense as they made love.
His head was completely muddled as he lie beside her now, trying to catch his breath. He felt her tongue against his neck as she trailed her fingers up his back making him shiver, his body still sensitive. He finally lifted his head and searched for her lips in the dark. His fingertips traced her face before settling in her hair. He had missed her… and each kiss he received told him she missed him too. Her sweet smile, her kind touch, her sweet scent…
"I missed you so much, Shinya…" She whispered as her arms tightened.
"I missed you too, my Mika."
Shinya wrapped the sheets around them as they cuddled up in bed. Dawn was beginning to creep up in the sky and Shinya felt exhausted now that their intimate high had passed. Mika combed her fingers through his hair. It relaxed him, lulling him into sleep.
Morning came and Shinya could feel Mika's warm back pressed against his side. He rolled over and draped his arm over her. The floral scent of her hair wafted to his nose as he nuzzled the back of her head. Her long wavy hair was always so soft…
"Good Morning." She said as she rolled over to face him. Her beautiful cardinal colored eyes met his.
"Morning~" He returned as he gave her a kiss. She burrowed into the sheets more holding him tightly as she inhaled deeply. "Strawberries… right?" He added with a smirk.
"Hmm?"
"Last time you told me I smelt like strawberries~"
"What?"
"You told me that I smell good, l asked 'like what?' and you said strawberries."
"Ooh…" She blushed remembering now what she said half asleep.
"Ahaha~" He giggled as he squeezed her. It felt so good to hold her like this again. Teasing her was fun too.
"I wish we could just stay like this…" She mumbled into his chest. He couldn't agree more. It was their time away from the madness. The talk of war and everything in between. A break from reality…
"Me too…" He agreed closing his eyes again. They quietly held each other a little longer. "How are you now… do you want to talk about it…"
They hadn't had a chance to talk about her time away, or with JIDA. She seemed fine and once he removed the collar the wounds on her neck quickly healed but… he was still worried… he knew what they did to imprisoned vampires… he'd seen how they'd be chained, interrogated, starved and then killed like dogs. At that time it didn't bother him too much. Sometimes though, he felt it was a little brutal and unnecessary…
"Well, I don't remember the first few days… I just woke up in a cell with that collar on. Seishiro came often, trying to get information about vampires… you and everyone else. Where you all were…"
"Did he hurt you?" Shinya asked, being that it was what he was most concerned about.
"He tried…" Mika said with a smirk.
"Mika…"
"Then someone else came, Kureto I think was his name… He asked all the same questions… Somehow, he found out I was one of the Seraphs…"
Shinya sighed; having Kureto know something like that was dangerous. As much as he hated to admit it, Kureto was smart, resourceful and a threat. He could only hope that now that he had a Seraph, Mika would not be in his cross hairs. He felt terrible for Kimizuki and his sister but he didn't want Mika to fall into JIDA's hands too.
"That man is… strange…" She added.
"Nn… I've known him a long time… like Seishiro he is also my brother…" Memories of that difficult past returned to him. He hated the idea of her around the Hiiragi's, the kind of people they were…
"He made me stay with him, in what I assumed to be his home… He asked me to serve him… He…" She hesitated, seemingly upset. Shinya softly shushed her, letting her know she didn't have to say anything else. She didn't have to recall those days there anymore. But… just when he was hoping Kureto didn't have an interest… she says that… He wondered if he knew what Mika meant to him…
He'd enjoy ripping her from me… Just to try and show me he controlled everything of mine… There'd be no way though… She's a Seraph, another weapon he could use…
"Remember… when you asked about my scars…" He asked taking a deep breath. He felt Mika nod.
"When I was a child, I was made to fight, often. I had to kill other children my age to survive, my friends... I was considered the top candidate, though killing innocent people is nothing to be proud of… Once I got older, the Hiiragi's adopted me… for the purpose of marrying their daughter to provide the family with 'strong offspring'… Like a dog. She was already in love, I was not… interested in anything of the sort at that time but it's why I was adopted. I imagined my death often… waited for it to come… I thought I would be killed once she openly rejected me but she kept it a secret to keep me alive… That's around the time I met Guren and everyone else. After being with them, I finally found a reason to be happy, to care… to live…"
He never openly talked about his past like this, he was nervous. Mika had been silent the entire time he spoke. Her breathing sounded ragged when he looked down to see her expression…
"Mika…"
"I'm so sorry… Shinya… I'm so sorry…" She sobbed. It broke his heart.
"Hey, it's okay… please don't cry, that's all over now." He comforted her.
"But it's so terrible… You are so wonderful and to be treated like that… and only a child… you are not a dog… you're kind, brave… and you're funny… you're perfect Shinya…"
"Thank you, Mika." He said hugging her tightly, her compassion nearly bringing him to tears as well. "I just try to be happy for them, live for them… but please don't be sad. You also deserve to be happy after everything that's happened. So, lets be happy together, for them, for each other… okay~"
He heard her sniffle and felt her nod again. He brushed the tears off her cheek and sank deeper into the sheets so that they were face to face.
"Boop." He tapped the tip of her nose with his own. She gave him a little smile. He kissed her, the sweetness of her lips mixed with the salt of her tears. She grieved for him. He, who had felt like he never deserved an ounce of sympathy. He may never be able to atone for what he did but… maybe he could forgive himself… at least.
"I'm sorry… I bit you." She said as she lightly touched his neck.
"Hm?" He moved his hand where hers was. Sure enough, there were little indentations from the fang marks. "I didn't even notice."
"Still… I'm sorry."
"Its okay, don't worry about it~" He said. He did remember her pulling him down and her face in his neck when he… and her licking his neck… maybe that was when… Either way, he didn't mind. He rubbed her back gently until he felt she had calmed down after what he had told her. He hadn't told her for sympathy but… it was more for her to know the truth… about him and his past. He wanted her to know him.
"Is it alright if I shower?" He asked, being that it was her room and all. She nodded and wrapped herself up in the blanket again after he got out. He showered quickly and had just finished dressing when she knocked and entered the bathroom with him.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asked trying to distract himself as she dropped the blanket exposing her flawless figure from behind. He was tempted to follow her in…
"No, I wasn't sleepy." She answered stepping into the shower. He went and sat down on the bed still drying his hair. Someone knocked on the door. He debated if he should answer it or not but went ahead and did. It was Shigure.
"We are having breakfast if you would like to join us."
"Oh, okay I'll be out soon." He said as she turned to leave. "How did you know I was here, Shigure?"
"Because my room is next door…" Was all she said before turning to leave again. He shut the door.
"Oops~" He chuckled.
"'Oops' what?" Mika asked as she came out of the bathroom fully dressed now.
"Nothing~" He said with an innocent smile.
"I feel like you're lying…"
"Aha~"