Author's Note: So this is the last part to this story! Hopefully it'll answer a few questions. Thank you to everyone who has read this! I hope you enjoy.
14.
"Mika."
"Yuu-chan. This is Hisae. She was the girl I was going to see."
I blink a few times, looking at the dark-haired, green-eyed boy before me, and the familiar way Mika addresses him. He must be the best friend he mentioned.
"Hey," the boy says, smiling at me. "So Mika persuaded you to come?"
I frown. Persuaded? I thought I begged him to come. Beside me, Mika winces.
"It wasn't like that," he explains to the boy. "Her . . . her sister died, so she had nowhere else to go."
The boy's grin disappears. "I'm so sorry," he says. I nod in acceptance of his apology. Inside, though, I'm still trying to comprehend his and Mika's brief exchange.
"Hisae," Mika says, and he grabs my hand, leading me over to a small group of people that I hadn't noticed. "Everyone, this is Hisae. I've invited her to join us."
Again, I thought I begged to come.
"Hi there," a purple-haired girl says, raising a hand. "I'm Hiiragi Shinoa. It's nice to meet you. This is Saotome Yoichi, Kimizuki Shihou, and Sanguu Mitsuba. I guess you already met Mikaela and Yuuichirou?"
Mikaela? Is that his full name? I glance at him, at the blond wisps of hair over his forehead.
"Y-yes," I say.
"Well, it's great to have you join us," she says. "I'm sure Mika's already told you this, but it's gonna be dangerous."
I raise my head slightly. "Yes. I know. I'm willing to do anything it takes. I'll —"
Mika grabs my arm and squeezes it tightly before I can continue. I glare at him, and he stares back with equal intensity. After a moment, he drags me away from the group. They stare after us with confusion and curiosity.
"What are you doing?" I hiss at him. "I was —"
"I don't know what your problem is," he says, "but you can't just go around telling everyone that you're willing to do anything, that you'll sacrifice your very being. That's not normal."
I scowl. "But you're the same, aren't you? You'll do anything for your friends."
"Yes, but —"
He stops suddenly and turns his head away, like he doesn't know how to put into words what he wants to say next.
Anger suddenly fills me. "You came to take me away, didn't you? Even before Iso died, you were going to ask me to come with you. And then, when she did, it suddenly became convenient, and I just happened to beg to come with you. You didn't even have to ask!"
"That's not —"
"That's not true? I told you, don't lie to me! Why did you come back? No, why did you even start coming to me in the first place?"
His gaze is unwavering. He pauses. Then he begins to speak. "You hated me at first. I knew that. But you . . . gave me a chance. Even though I could tell you hated that you were even doing that. And for some reason, I admired the lengths you would go to for your sister. When she offered me her blood, and then you stepped in for her. You wouldn't have done that for anyone else. At that time, you thought that giving a vampire blood would be like to give up a part of yourself. And yet you offered, for her. So I came back. And I couldn't stop thinking about you. What you were doing. How you were doing. If you were still . . ."
My breath catches.
He continues. "When I attacked you that one time, I wanted to repay you any way I could. I tried . . . telling you what happened to me. Like that could help at all. I gave you food, but I knew I was just prolonging it. If I really wanted to save you, I needed to . . .
"So, when I became a full vampire, even though I knew you might hate me even more than before, I came back. Because I wanted to see you again. But you didn't turn me away. You even . . ." He lets out a somewhat harsh laugh and runs a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. "You even let me drink your blood, something I never ever thought you'd offer again. I came to try and get you and Iso to come with me, even knowing it would be dangerous. But I found that I couldn't say a word to you. I just wanted to . . . talk with you. And then, Iso . . . and you were there before me, wanting to come with me. It was ironic and terrible. But I wanted you to come. I wanted you."
When he looks at me now, his eyes stained red, I find that I can't remember what they looked like at all before. They were . . . blue? I think I remember comparing them to the sky. On a cloudless day. A type of atmosphere that makes you feel like nothing bad is going to happen.
But now, that color is gone . . . only to be replaced by something no less beautiful. Different, yes. But still, it's entrancing.
No, I didn't think they were like the sky. I always thought they looked like steel. Willing to go to any lengths. Strong and steady, uncompromising, and layered with so many different things that I want to uncover. His eyes are red now . . . just like the crimson blade he wields.
Steel eyes.
"Mikaela," I breathe out. His looks slightly startled by the use of his full name. "I have no idea how to feel right now, especially after Iso . . ."
He grabs my arms. "I don't need an answer," he says. "I don't want you to force yourself. I just don't want you to recklessly give yourself up — you're not just a sacrifice."
I crack a watery smile. "What's that? You don't even know me."
"You're right," he whispers. "I don't. But I want to know you."
One part of my mind is numb — is this really happening? I'm being held by a vampire. But then, the other half feels peaceful. This is really happening. Mika's holding onto me. And it feels right, good.
"Okay," I say. I glance down at his fingers and twine mine through them. His eyes widen slightly. "Let's both try our best, then."
A small smile alights upon his lips and he squeezes my hand. "Mm. Let's do that."
A/N: So, yes, in the romance department, not a lot happens, but then again, this is a short story, and I didn't want anything to move too fast between them. Mainly, this piece was just for fun, and because Mika's cool, and so I hope you all have enjoyed reading it. Thanks to everyone who has favorited, followed, and left reviews! You make my day.
~ J. Dominique