10 days later...I'm so sorry. I had the week from hell, my comp broke, I had 8 midterms (4 of which I forgot about), and I couldn't come on FF to talk to you amazing people!
Anyway, I'm sorry this took so long... with my laptop broken it was pretty hard to get it done early like I promised. I really hope you enjoy this chapter. read&review.
In the frigid fall night, among the colored leaves which the wind swept over the sidewalks and into gutters, they stood silently. The world had gone still and quiet as if everything was paused for that brief moment in time. A former ally, now turned enemy, aimed her gun at Lucia's chest. Her once beautiful eyes no longer glimmered, instead they had turned as dark as the weapon she held. Her soft face was cold, distant, and emotionless. Lucia, alarmed and confused, tried not to tremble when she looked at the girl. The foreigner tilted her gun at Lucia's head; what had led her to this? Why was she staring down the barrel of a gun in the hands of her friend? Only an hour or so before the foreigner would've sacrificed herself for Lucia's sake, she would've done anything for her… but now she advanced toward Lucia with the gun fixed on the hunter's forehead. Lucia didn't want to accept what was happening, but she had already begun to understand.
"Please step away from that girl." Demanded Róisín, her face like stone.
"Róisín, what is this?" the hunter whispered in shock, not moving from her place. She looked at the foreigner with a perplexed and surprised expression; the relief in her voice had receded. "Put the gun down, I'm not a virus."
"Move, I said!" yelled Róisín forcefully. It was so unexpected, so startling for Róisín to shout, that Lucia's entire body tensed. What had happened to the sweet, funny, charming girl Lucia knew? The hunter didn't budge from her place.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Lucia asked, laughing apprehensively, "You're kidding right? C'mon Róisín, lower the gun." Róisín tried to keep a firm appearance, but Lucia's response made her waver. She looked so trusting, so hopeful. Was she really that naive? Róisín's mouth shifted to a slight frown.
"I didn't want it to happen like this…" whispered the foreigner bitterly, "You should've listened to me."
"What are you saying?" Lucia murmured.
"If you'd come home with me tonight, you'd be asleep by now and you wouldn't have to know any of this." Róisín somberly stated. She looked at Lucia with sad eyes, and then turned her attention to Sumire.
"What are you doing, Róisín?" Lucia questioned, though it was obvious she already had an idea by the way her voice turned stern and defensive.
"My mission." She replied, "I warned you that Sumire would leave you some day. I wanted you think that it was because of her boyfriend… so when she disappeared you wouldn't have questions, and I wouldn't have to fight you… but it's come to this it seems." She motioned to the girl lying behind Lucia, "I'm here for her." As Lucia looked at the unconscious girl and shuttered.
"Why?" Lucia asked, "What do you want with Sumire?"
"Oh come on, you know why!" Róisín scoffed resentfully, "Her power. We need it."
"So you're kidnapping her?!" exclaimed the hunter.
"Well, I suppose you could call it that." Replied Róisín, "But it's not like I'm not doing it for perverse reasons or anything, cause she's definitely not my type." Lucia was overwhelmed with revulsion, was Róisín actually trying to joke with her now? She felt a low, guttural sound escape her throat, which surprised both of them. Róisín steadied her gun. "Now, will you step away? I don't know how long she'll be sedated or what will happen when she wakes up."
The hunter noticed something sticking out of Sumire's shoulder. She knelt down and pulled it out, finally understanding why Sumire had gone unconscious so suddenly. "A fucking tranquilizer!?" shouted Lucia, quickly standing and glaring at the foreigner, she threw the dart at Róisín's feet, "She's not an animal!"
Róisín shrugged, glowering as she spoke, "She tried to kill you, didn't she? She follows pure instinct when she transforms, so she might as well be an animal." She stopped speaking and stared at the unconscious girl, then began to circle them cautiously. "Besides, I couldn't have her going berserker and killing everyone when I came for her, could I? It's easier with her sedated, and somewhat merciful I'd say. This way she won't get hurt or killed accidentally." She explained, "Her powers… they're strong and useful, but they are too unstable. She's too dangerous to stay here. I'm taking her to a controlled environment."
"I won't let you." Lucia responded, though still in disbelief. "You can't touch her!"
"I have orders, and you don't have a choice." Róisín replied coldly, snapping her fingers. The viruses reacted, advancing toward Lucia again. "Give up now, please. I don't want to hurt you."
"I can't do that." The hunter said. Regardless of her wounded body and weary demeanor, her pale, bloodied face twisted to a fierce scowl and she readied herself to fight. Her ripped and crimson stained gown fluttered in the wind, adding to her morbid appearance, like a possessed porcelain doll. Róisín cringed at the image, but the viruses didn't seem affected. They inched closer to Lucia, obeying Róisín's every order.
"Look what we've done to these viruses, they've been tamed--" Róisín stated, watching her minions.
"You can't tame a virus!" Lucia yelled over top of her words.
The foreigner continued, "--Think of what we could do with Sumire. She'll become the ultimate anti-virus."
"She's not just a weapon!" the hunter shouted.
"But she is, Lucia. Don't you see? However, she's not strong enough yet, she's too afraid. That's why she can't be controlled. We can change that." Róisín claimed, trying to make Lucia listen to her 'logic'.
"You're wrong. You can't do that!" Lucia argued angrily.
"And you can't stop me, but you'll still try, " Róisín replied despondently, "won't you?"
"Damn right, I will. You can't have her." Growled Lucia as she clenched her fists, "Why'd you even save us earlier!? Were you playing with us? Is this some sick game?"
"No! I couldn't let those viruses kill you, or get to Sumire first." She took a step towards the two girls; Lucia leered at her, but could tell she was being sincere. "Lucia, I can be the greatest thing that's ever happened to you…" She reached her hand out towards the hunter. "You have a chance. Please. I don't want to hurt you."
Lucia smacked it away. "I refuse. You'll have to kill me."
"I won't kill you…" Róisín whispered as she took a few steps back, "Just immobilize you for a bit." She loaded her gun with another dart and aimed it at Lucia. The hunter crouched down and prepared to attack. She eyed the trash lid only a few feet away. Her gaze quickly flicked back to Róisín just as she put her finger on the trigger. Lucia leapt towards the lid, grabbed it, rolled to her feet, and held it in front of her with just enough time to block Róisín's shot. It hit the metal with a subtle pinging sound.
The foreigner sighed as the dart fell to the ground, "I had hoped you'd make this easy."
"Hah, can't say I'm sorry." Lucia replied, "But this will be anything but easy."
Róisín loaded her gun again and shook her head. "I meant on yourself." She glanced at her hoard of viruses, and with a flick of her wrist, they were on Lucia. She tried to fight, but they grabbed her with sticky, slimy tentacles and pulled her to the ground, binding her wrists and ankles. She kicked and yelled, screamed and punched, but there were too many and her strikes did nothing to their globule bodies. Róisín stood over Lucia, aiming the dart gun at her with a solemn expression. "I'm sorry."
"Not yet, but you will be!" yelled Lucia as she struggled on the ground, "I'll make you pay."
Róisín lifted the gun and pointed it at Lucia's neck. She put her finger on the trigger and narrowed her eyes, "Sweet Dreams, Love."
"Coward," the hunter hissed, stopping Róisín almost immediately, "Hiding behind your viruses! You're just a traitor and a coward! To think I believed your strength was admirable."
"Stop it Lucia, you've lost." Said Róisín, not moving the gun, but not pulling the trigger either. The insult had truly stung her.
"Only because you're too afraid to fight me on your own." Lucia accused, continuing to thrash about, trying to wrestle free.
"Because I don't want to hurt you. I can't back down, I have to finish this mission." Maintained the foreigner, though her words seemed worthless with her gun aimed in Lucia's face. "There's still a chance, give up Lucia, I'm begging you."
Lucia groaned and continued trying to break free. "You take her, and I'll track you down and kill you myself. I'll never stop. I'm not afraid to hurt you, Róisín. I'll make you regret your betrayal." Róisín grimaced, as if she hadn't realized Lucia would hate her after all this. But what did she think would happen? She'd take Sumire away and Lucia would run into her arms? She stared down at the hunter .
"Lucia… I'm doing this for your own safety." Róisín stated, trying not to look torn.
"No, it's a mission, a job, are you getting paid well?" Lucia retorted, "Is it worth it, this treachery? Heed my word, you'll have to kill me now because if you take her, I won't stop until I save her and kill you and whoever ordered you to do this."
"Please… don't say that." The foreigner pleaded, the gun in her hand quivering. Although she intended to take Sumire away, Róisín could not deny she'd fallen for the peculiar hunter and her tremendous skill.
"You disgust me." Lucia snapped, "At least have the kindness to kill me so I won't have to look at you anymore."
"No…" the foreigner whimpered. "Lucia, don't say that!"
"It's too late, I've never felt as much hatred toward a person as I do right now." Lucia spat, "What are you waiting for? Kill me! You've already stabbed me in the back!" Róisín closed her eyes and breathed in slowly. She knew that if she allowed Lucia to live, she would be putting herself and the entire operation in danger. Still, she couldn't imagine killing the hunter. She snapped her fingers and the viruses reluctantly let go of their victim. They slunk back into the shadows and left Róisín alone with Lucia.
"Alright then, I'll fight you." Róisín said, "But there is one condition; if I win, then you must walk away and never think of Sumire again. You can't follow us, you can't fight for her anymore, like she never existed. Do you agree?" Róisín tied her long, wavy hair back into a ponytail and readied herself, "Prepared to lose?"
Lucia rose to her feet slowly, "I will win." She glanced down at Sumire, the foreigner's eyes followed. "I need to."
"I won't hold back." Róisín warned.
"Keep that gun, you'll need it." Lucia challenged. For a moment, it almost felt like they were joking with each other. Lucia had begun to trust Róisín so much; she had even considered her a friend. There was a throbbing sensation in her chest, but she was forced to disregard it. This girl, no matter how much she cared for Lucia, was intent on taking Sumire away, and Lucia could not let that happen.
Róisín kept the gun at hand, but didn't aim it at Lucia. Instead, she waited, motionless and silent, for Lucia to make her first move. The hunter felt restless, she was uncertain as of what to do. She knew Róisín had the advantage, but she had to protect Sumire. She believed that was all that mattered. She lunged forward, her fist aiming for Róisín's face.
"Lucia, you disappoint me…" Róisín said, "That move is too obvious." The foreigner swiftly caught Lucia's arm and twisted it, forcing it behind her back and shoving her away. "You can do better than that." The hunter rubbed her arm, though she couldn't pretend like she was surprised that Róisín stopped her without much effort. Her attack was entirely readable; she was just testing the foreigner. Róisín put the gun in a holster and glanced at Lucia, who readied herself and attacked again, the same way. This time as Róisín grabbed her wrist, Lucia's other hand swung for her stomach. Again, the attack was blocked and Lucia was pushed back. "You look like you're already worn out." Róisín observed.
The hunter stepped back and rubbed her wrists. She looked at the unconscious girl and shook her head. She couldn't give up, no matter how worn down she was, "I haven't started yet." She murmured.
"I really thought you were better than this." Róisín said with a frown, "Is it because you are tired, or are you really that bad?"
"Don't get cocky just because you blocked a few attacks!" replied Lucia, leaping at Róisín once more. Lucia was entirely aware that the foreigner had every advantage over her, she was more rested and less injured. She was faster and her body was smaller than Lucia's, shrinking the openings in her guard and decreasing her target size. However, Lucia had one advantage of her own, she refused to lose.
Róisín prepared to block again, but Lucia's movement changed. Róisín had already leaned to the left to protect herself, but now she hastily moved to the right to guard, throwing off her balance. Suddenly, Lucia was targeting the other side of her body again. The foreigner's footing faltered and Lucia caught Róisín's opening just above her left hip. Róisín gasped as Lucia hit and staggered back clutching her side.
She breathed deeply and stood upward, "That's more like it." She whispered. All of the sudden, she was grinning, her eyes glimmered with excitement. "I've always hoped to fight someone of commendable skill, I'm just a little upset that it had to be you." She shifted to an aggressive stance. Swiftly, she ran at Lucia, swinging her fist at the other girl's chest. Lucia jumped back, just avoiding a second jab that she almost didn't see. Róisín was much faster than Lucia had anticipated, and her attacks weren't random. One at her chest, another at her shoulder, a third and fourth below the rib cage; she was targeting Lucia's weaker areas, intent on ending this quickly. Lucia narrowly dodged each potentially hazardous blow.
Róisín scowled, "You're running on pure adrenaline now, you'll crash soon." Lucia evaded another strike. "Just stand down and this'll all be over." She punched again but rather than avoiding Lucia caught her hand. She twisted her wrist and forced her to spin around with her hand behind her back, similar to the way Róisín blocked her first attack.
"If you walk away now… we can forget that this ever happened." She whispered in Róisín's ear before letting go. Róisín tried a round house kick as she spun around to face Lucia again, but the hunter leapt backwards. It seemed that this fight was too evenly matched, a stalemate.
"I can't walk away from a mission."
"And I can't walk away without that girl."
Róisín yanked the gun out of her holster, "I wanted to make this fair… but I don't have time to waste anymore." She quickly pulled the trigger, before Lucia could even react. It hit her in the side of the neck; Lucia could feel the chemical begin to numb her body, her senses slow. She fought it, she tried to keep standing but her body was going limp, her legs quivered, her vision turned muddled, dark. She stumbled forward, then fell onto her knees. She managed to pull the dart out of her neck, but the sedative was already in her veins. "I'm sorry Lucia." Róisín walked past her and went to Sumire's side. With her back turned, she prepared to lift the girl.
However, Lucia hadn't given up. Somehow she collected enough strength to rise to her feet again. She lurched toward Róisín, swaying unsteadily but pressing forward. Róisín was amazed, she quickly loaded another dart into the gun. "Lucia, I don't know what will happen if I shoot you again. You might not wake up."
"I'm not done yet." Lucia murmured. She lifted her head and glared at Róisín, "I told you I couldn't lose." Róisín readied to shoot the gun again, but Lucia was on her. She fell forward, knocking the foreigner back with her. Róisín shot the gun, the dart flew past Lucia's ear as they hit the ground. Lucia wrapped her hand around Róisín's neck, cutting off her air. The foreigner dropped her gun and grabbed the hunter's arms, trying to pull them off her neck. As she struggled, Lucia's grasp only tightened. Lucia's eye was torrid, filled with rage as she strangled Róisín. Róisín was certain in those moments that Lucia was going to end her life, but she knew she deserved it. She had almost shot Lucia again; two tranquilizers could kill a person. However, Lucia let go.
Instead, she pinned the girl down, pressing her arms to the ground and straddling her waist. There was no way for Róisín to push her off, the fight was over. Róisín coughed and gasped for air. Lucia reached for Róisín's gun and threw it into the darkness. Then she glared down at Róisín, who flinched as if she expected Lucia to hit her. There was no blow, "I win," was all she said. Róisín, breathing heavily and still shocked that Lucia could move after being shot, just laid there at a loss for words.
Lucia's expression turned unreadable, she pulled Róisín's sword from it's sheath and held it to her neck as she got up. She glared down at the foreigner, "Tell me, how are you better than her!? You almost killed me, yet you are fully conscious and in control of your actions. How can you think you are any better than her?" She yelled, pressing the tip of the sword closer to Róisín's skin. She stepped back and turned away, letting the sword drop to her side. Róisín sat up, clutching her neck, still coughing. She had no reply, Lucia was right. Lucia's hands tensed at around the sword's handle, "I let you live… but I never want to see your face again. Get out of here."
"Lucia, I-" began Róisín hoarsely as she rose to her feet.
"I said leave!" yelled Lucia, suddenly turning and throwing the sword at Róisín's feet, "… before I change my mind." Róisín stood quietly, still rubbing her neck, which had already beginning to bruise. Without another word, she picked up the sword, turned, and stepped into the shadows. Lucia almost expected her to attack again when her back was turned, but Róisín never came returned. The hunter went to Sumire and picked her up. She gazed at the girl she held, who still hadn't woken up from the tranquilizer. She sighed, realizing she'd fought so hard to keep Sumire at her side, but she still didn't know how the younger girl felt, if she even wanted to be there. Holding her close to her chest, she knew she would never let Sumire go again if she didn't have to. Quietly, she carried her back to the Vanguard.
Sumire woke up to the smell of fresh tea and syrup and instantly she felt nauseous. She sat up so fast it made her head spin; she pressed her hand to her forehead and groaned. Her whole body felt heavy. She wanted immediately to lie back down and never get out of bed again, but wondered if she was going to get sick and didn't want to throw up all over Lucia's comforter. 'Lucia's comforter?' instantaneously, she remembered all of the events of the night before; but when did she get home? 'We.. were surrounded by viruses… ' she remembered, 'LUCIA!' She panicked, nearly jumping out of the bed when she heard a high voice from the doorway.
"Oh, you're awake!" Lola exclaimed, somehow still managing to whisper as she did so.
"Where is L-?!" she started, but Lola quickly hushed her.
"Be quiet! Lucia-oneesama is finally asleep." Lola warned, pointing to the girl sleeping right next to Sumire. Sumire gasped, how had she not noticed Lucia sleeping next to her? "She tried to stay conscious until you woke up… but she was so tired." Lola shook her head pityingly, "Don't disturb her, ok? She really needs to get some rest; she was close to collapsing when she got back here last night."
"What happened, how did she get away from the viruses?" Sumire asked, trying to keep her voice down.
"I don't know anything about that. She just showed up in the doorway carrying you and mumbling about a sedative. She was pretty out of it, insisted on Sōichirō and I tending to you first even though she was more beat up," Replied Lola, glancing at the hunter, "she was so worried about you."
"Oh…" said Sumire, gazing at Lucia too. She felt a warmth in her chest that spread to her cheeks.
"So, do you want breakfast or something? If you come to the kitchen I'll make you some." Lola offered.
"No, thank you." Sumire responded, "I'll stay here, I'm still pretty tired… and I feel like I should wait for her to wake up too." She had to suppress the urge to caress Lucia's face, which looked endearingly peaceful as she slept.
Lola nodded, "Ok, I'll come back and fix this door later. Rest up." She left the room with a slight chuckle. Sumire watched Lucia, carefully studying the rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips were slightly open as she breathed in and out, and how she sighed as she slept. She carefully laid back down, still looking at the hunter, who shivered slightly in her sleep. Sumire worried that she was cold; she was sleeping above the covers after all. She wanted to get closer, even though she was afraid of waking her up, she wanted to touch her and know she was really there beside her. Carefully, she wiggled closer to Lucia, nuzzling against her body and trying to cover it with the blanket too.
The hunter shifted and opened her eye slightly, "…Sumire?" she mumbled.
"Ah, I'm sorry Lucia. I didn't mean to wake you. I just…wanted to cover you up." Sumire didn't know how to explain what she was doing. Sleepily, Lucia rolled to face the younger girl.
"It is kind of cold…" she muttered, trying to hold back a yawn. She was still half-asleep, probably not even aware that she was talking to Sumire.
"Won't you get under the covers?" Sumire asked, Lucia nodded and did so slowly. She sighed contently as she got under the warmth of the comforter. Although she was exhausted, she managed to smile at the younger girl.
"Come here…" she whispered, lifting the blankets slightly and motioning for Sumire to move closer.
"Huh? Oh no, Lucia, I-"
"Please?" Lucia murmured, her eye still barely open. Sumire hesitantly moved toward the hunter, who wrapped her arms around Sumire's waist as she got nearer, pulling her against her. "How do you feel?" she asked drowsily.
"F-fine." Sumire replied, though her voice was barely audible.
"Are you warm now too? Comfortable?" Lucia asked.
"…very." Sumire answered softly.
Lucia yawned and hugged Sumire closer, "Good." She touched her forehead to the younger girl's, but didn't say anything else. A moment later Sumire realized she'd fallen back asleep. Sumire laughed lightly, she couldn't pretend like she minded being like this with Lucia, even if the hunter wasn't fully conscious of what she was doing. She closed her eyes and let herself drift back to sleep as well, no longer feeling nauseous or anxious, perfectly at ease in Lucia's arms.
A few hours later, Lucia opened her eyes. She felt very similar to the way Sumire had when she first woke up, quite like she imagined a hangover would feel like; though she'd never felt the need to experiment with alcohol. She yawned, then groaned, wanting to pull the sheet back over her head and go to sleep again; but then, something cold skimmed against her leg. She shivered and rolled over to find Sumire laying beside her in the bed, sleeping serenely. Lucia suddenly noticed her arm had been wrapped around Sumire's waist; and her hand, which had gone numb, was in the other girl's, their fingers woven together.
She couldn't move much, the sheets entangled them against each other; and even though Sumire had surprisingly cold feet, Lucia did not mind being stuck so close to her in the least. She wondered when she'd even gotten under the covers, or when Sumire moved so close that Lucia put her arm around her. She watched the younger girl resting, thanking fate or whatever it was that gifted her as such. She listened to Sumire breathing, admiring the sweet way her lips curved up in the corners. She wondered what Sumire dreamt of, and what brought such a brilliant smile to her face. Lucia longed to kiss her, if only because she had been so close to losing her the night before. She sighed hopelessly, how had she allowed herself to fall so hard for this girl? She touched her face, Sumire nuzzled against her hand in her sleep and Lucia laughed softly. She wondered if she should get out of the bed before she did something she'd regret, then she wondered if she even regret it at all. She inched forward to steal a kiss from the girl, lightly as not to wake her. However, she pulled back at the last second, grumbling at herself for trying to do such a thing. 'Sumire's not like that…' She cursed under her breath and carefully began to get out of the bed, but as she tried to pull her hand from Sumire's, the grasp only tightened.
"Don't go…" whispered the younger girl, "Stay with me a little longer." She had opened her emerald eyes and was looking at Lucia pleadingly as she clung to her hand.
"S-Sumire… you're awake?" Lucia asked, a little caught off guard. The red haired girl giggled and blushed.
"I have been for awhile actually… I was just enjoying being next to you." The younger girl admitted. Lucia sat back on the bed, pondering what exactly that statement meant.
"Oh… so how are you feeling?" Lucia asked, not sure of what to do with herself. She felt like she should get back under the covers but ended up leaning against the headboard. Sumire sat up too, but did not release Lucia's hand.
"I'm fine, actually… a little groggy I guess. Can you tell me what happened?"
"You were shot by a tranquilizer." Lucia replied, "… Nearly kidnapped too."
"By who!?" Sumire exclaimed, "I mean, since when can small-fry wield weapons?!"
"Róisín." Lucia answered simply, "She turned on us." Sumire cringed, her first thought was something along the lines of 'I told you so…' but she didn't feel like saying it would be very appropriate. She leaned on Lucia's shoulder comfortingly.
"Oh gee, Lucia… I'm sorry." Sumire whispered, "I know you trusted her."
"Yea well, she's gone now so we don't have to worry about it anymore… I don't really want to talk about her." Lucia said, though the sadness in her voice wasn't very reassuring. She smiled at Sumire, "At least I still have you... that's all I need. I was really afraid that I was going to lose you…" Lucia confessed, her voice shaking slightly, "I don't know what I would've done."
Sumire blushed and then looked at her hand entwined with Lucia's, "You don't have to worry, you'll always have me."
Lucia gazed at the younger girl and coyly asked, "Is that a promise?"
"Of course." Sumire answered meekly, her cheeks still red, "After all, who else is going to save me all the time?" Lucia laughed and turned away from Sumire. She seemed to be looking at the broken door across the room. In reality, she was debating on admitting her feelings for Sumire. She didn't want to risk losing her again without ever telling her the truth.
Sumire's mind was also troubled, her heart was racing; there she was, sitting so close to Lucia, Róisín was gone, and there was nothing to hold her back now. She took a deep breath.
"Lu—"
"Sumi—"
They had both turned to speak at the same time, and were now staring at each other, inches apart, with bright red faces.
"Uh, you first…" Lucia offered, chuckling nervously.
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me… again." Sumire said, twisting the blanket awkwardly with her free hand.
"It's nothing you need to thank me for, I'd do anything for you." Lucia replied softly, "I mean, we're partners, we need to protect each other."
"Is that really all we are?" Sumire asked, looking Lucia directly in the eye.
Lucia flinched a bit, shifting her weight anxiously, "What do you mean?"
"…Before you knew I was awake, you leaned forward…" Sumire murmured, "Like you were going to kiss me again."
"Oh, it's just, I… I'm so-" Lucia began to explain but Sumire put a finger over her lips.
"Why didn't you?" she asked timidly. Lucia's eye widened and she looked at Sumire in shock.
"Cause… uhm, I didn't think you'd like if I did that… cause you aren't attracted to me." Lucia replied, rather ashamed.
"What if I said I would like it?" Sumire asked, smiling slightly.
"You mean… you want me to kiss you?" Lucia asked, still very confused and taken aback.
"Or I could kiss you." Sumire answered, "I'd like that just as much."
"Wait, are you speaking hypothetically again? Cause I'm already confused and I re-"
Suddenly, Sumire's lips met Lucia's, cutting her off again. Her lips moved slowly, lightly, as they sparked Lucia to return the kiss. Lucia pressed her mouth against Sumire's, yearning for more. Sumire pulled back too soon, blushing. "Geez, I never thought I'd have to say this, but you talk too much…" Sumire whispered breathlessly.
Lucia stared back at Sumire, first she seemed dazed, but a slightly playful grin crossed her face, "I'm afraid still I don't understand, can you explain again?"
Sumire laughed and leaned forward again, kissing Lucia just as lightly as before. Lucia reached up and held Sumire's face in her hands, she pulled it towards her own and kissed Sumire tenderly, sweetly. The hesitation was gone, both of them knew what this kiss meant. Their mouths moved together, their bodies burned with passion. The heat overwhelmed them, like a fire dancing between their lips. Sumire recognized the taste, which only made her want more. She wrapped her arms around Lucia's neck, dragging her down on top of her as she laid on the bed. Lucia followed, still kissing Sumire passionately, eagerly. She put one hand in her hair and the other on the bed to support herself above the younger girl. Sumire let a soft moan escape her mouth as she pulled Lucia against her, which made the hunter respond to with an even more ardent arousal and a deeper kiss. The sensation was unlike anything either had imagined, they both knew they'd never felt something so amazing. It seemed like it would never stop, neither wanted it to; an endless bliss.
"Wow," exclaimed a high voice from the other side of the room. Lucia pulled back so quickly she almost toppled over backwards off the bed. Sumire sat up almost as hastily, her face flushed and her hair in a mess. Lola burst out laughing, "Finally! I'm happy you guys sorted all this out and stuff." She grinned and tried to stop her laughter, "But could you at least wait till I get this door fixed?"
Lucia was blushing almost as badly as Sumire when she regained her balance, "Uh... yea, we'll just go to the kitchen… Sumire's probably just as hungry as I am." Lucia said, getting off the bed and reaching out her hand to help Sumire. Both girls walked out of the room, feeling a strange combination of embarrassment and absolute ecstasy.
As they reached the kitchen, Lucia retrieved the tea kettle and began to fill it with water. Sumire sat on the counter, fixing her hair and watching the other Girl. She realized she was unable to stop smiling. "So… does this mean you finally trust me?"
Lucia turned around and smiled with a slight pinkness in her cheeks, "More than trust." She put the kettle on the stove. She speculated if she said something odd by the way Sumire reacted, her face went completely red and she looked at Lucia with rather wide and excited eyes. Lucia decided to change the subject, "What kind of tea would you like?" She asked as she moved to the cupboard and pulled out a box.
Sumire grinned elatedly, unwilling to change the direction of the conversation, "Wait, do you mean you love me, Lucia?" She paused and continued to blush slightly, "Because I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you… so I can only hope you feel the same."
Lucia almost dropped the tea box, she turned around and looked at Sumire with a strange expression. She put the box on the counter and crossed the kitchen to Sumire. She leaned up and kissed the girl, gently and adoringly. "I'd have to say I do." She whispered as she pulled back, "More than I will ever be able to express. I love you, Sumire." Lucia whispered as she pulled back.
Sumire face turned even more red then before, if that were possible, and she smiled slyly, "Well you can still try…" She lovingly kissed Lucia again.
They remained there, in the kitchen, laughing, talking, and stealing kisses from each other when no one was around to see. Every time their lips met, each girl was filled with the delightful understanding that this was something that would never fade. Lucia wanted no one in her arms except for Sumire, and Sumire knew that was the only place she belonged.
There will always be emotions we hide, feelings we mask, desires we try to ignore. However, if we continue to avoid these sensations, these needs, what wonderful experiences are we missing out on? You'll never know, not until you finally let down your façade, take a risk. Let yourself be vulnerable, otherwise you'll never experience the truest form of love. Sometimes it's better to leave your heart unguarded, only then can you let others in.
Fin! I hope you're not like, "Is that the end? really?" cause... it is... but it's not in a way. I'll explain, but fiiiiiirst:
I hope you enjoyed this fanfic. It was so much fun to work on it, and I want to thank you all for reading this and giving me such amazing reviews, a special shout out to twilightwolf99 who created an account specifically to review this story. Wow, thanks! And Thank you; Melah, Greenerin, Herding Kats, VerinVerdandi, Tuume, Bernkastel Frederica, and everyone else, THANK YOU SO MUCH! :)
Alright, back to explaining. I don't know if you expected me to end this story so soon, but as I said before it's not really the end, I'm leaving it open for a sequel. A very long, exciting, passionate sequel. First I want to work on the special edition VVV project that I'm writing for Melah, i hope to post the first chapter very soon! It will be very different, Lucia is kind of different in it, but still amazing and epic and awesome and I think you'll love her just the same if not more. Sumire is basically adorable too, so I think that it will be in your best interest to check it out when I post it. And then I will return with the sequel, after all, the fun stuff is just beginning. Who says stories need to end once the relationship begins? I never understood that mindset, but it seems to happen a lot. And hey...Roisin is still out there someplace.
Please review and tell me if you are interested in the sequel or if you have questions about the . :) lovelovelove
-Red