AN: More feels this chapter, especially for Miku, but there's some light-heartedness coming up too! And I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you that take the time to review, it means a lot.

Chapter Twenty-One (Luka's POV)

The screams of the bandit leader and his friends echoed throughout the mine as the army carried out their job to the letter. As soon as there was nothing left of them, Kaito released his hold, panting as the bodies of the other bandits dropped like flies.

That was when I looked over at Miku.

She held herself confidently, shoulders thrown back, head high. Her armour was spattered with blood, and her sword was glistening deep red. Her eyes were flat.

The woman I knew had disappeared entirely.

There was a moment, then, a feeling that I could not pinpoint. It wrapped itself around my stomach, coiled around my throat, and I felt inordinately heavy. Why? She had come, just like I planned she would, but maybe not in the way that I had expected. Did that make a difference?

But then her eyes met mine before my thoughts could go any further, and warmth flooded back into them instantly. If I had not examined her before, I would not have seen the difference. Thankfully, the prison door had not been locked, and so I stepped out to greet her.

Immediately, she dropped her weapon, and ran up to me, locking me in a crushing embrace that I could not quite bring myself to return.

'Sorry,' she said, stepping away, but keeping her hands on my arms. 'They didn't do anything to you, did they?'

'They did not,' I said, shaking my head, both to clarify and to get rid of the lurking thoughts and feelings that threatened to come to the surface unchecked. Noticing she was trembling, I tilted my head.

'I'm fine,' she said, but her voice was quiet. She pulled her hands away, and one immediately went to her stomach. Her knees buckled, but she just about managed to keep herself upright. 'Really, I'm fine.'

'I cannot believe I am doing this,' I said, offering her my arm. 'Take it.'

'No, honestly-'

'Take it, you foolish woman.' She smiled and gave in, taking my arm and leaning into me. 'If you get blood on my clothes I will end you.'

'Oh, stop. You love me really,' Miku said. 'Kaito, are you alright?'

'Yes, I'm okay. Don't think I'll be doing magic for a while, though.' She nodded, and with that, we walked to the entrance, Miku staggering just a little, Kaito staying behind us. 'Luka, don't you think now would be a good time to feed?'

I agreed, and helped Miku to sit down by the entrance of the mine. She looked up into my gaze, but quickly looked away again, instead staring what lay outside, moving her head so I could not see her expression.

Kaito went back into the mine, leading us much further in than was necessary.

'I know why you went instead of her,' Kaito said. 'She could fight her way in, obviously more than what you and I could do together.' I nodded. 'But now I think it might have been better if it was her that was their prisoner.'

'You did not like this… side of Miku.'

'I didn't, no.'

'It would have come sooner or later,' I said, and Kaito frowned.

'What do you mean?'

'Miku and I have already had this discussion. She sees no qualms in killing those who she deems unworthy. She may have gone about things in a more brutal manner this time, but-'

'You know as well as I do that wasn't who we knew back there. There was a difference. A huge difference.'

'Then why did you not stop her? She would have listened to you.'

'I don't think she would have. She needed to find you,' Kaito said. I felt a small flutter at his words, but quashed it quickly.

'Come,' I said, abandoning the topic. 'We must hurry and feed, otherwise Miku will wonder where we are.'

After feeding from bottles over the past couple of weeks, a meal from an actual person would be welcome. I quickly located someone suitable, and began to drink.

Bliss washed over me, though not as strong as it would have been had I been feeding from someone who was alive. Nonetheless, it was pleasant enough, and just as I had begun to savour it, the bandit had been drained completely.

Wiping the blood from my mouth, I looked up at Kaito who was doing the same. His eyes were still glazed over, and it made me wonder whether I held a similar expression. Was that what Miku would have seen back when I had fed in front of her for the first time? I sighed, and motioned for Kaito to follow me out of the mine, back to where Miku was sitting. She had her eyes closed.

'Miku?' Kaito said gently, kneeling down beside her.

'Don't worry, I'm not asleep,' she said, opening her eyes. 'Just a little tired, that's all.'

'Well, we'll head back to the inn. Ami and Yuki will want to see that Luka's safe, as are we.'

Miku nodded, and heaved herself up, clutching her stomach. Instead of offering her my arm, I knelt down a little so she could throw her arm around my shoulders. Kaito did the same on her opposite side, so she was supported by us both.

'You're both the best, you know that?' Miku said, sleepily. I didn't say anything, concentrating on the short journey home. It would be better for all of us if this was forgotten as soon as possible.

I could not help but notice that same lurking feeling that I had discovered that last night in Shadowstone. I could not, or did not, want to give it a name, but it promised it would make itself known, sooner or later.

Ami and Yuki ran out to greet us as soon as we came close to the inn. Immediately, Ami noticed what condition Miku, and to a lesser extent, Kaito, were in, and guided us all to a chair each. The pair ran upstairs and came down with three bowls of porridge.

'We didn't know what else to do, so we made enough for the three of you for when you came back. They should still be warm.'

Miku thanked them and began eating straight away. Kaito and I looked at each other.

'I am afraid the shock of the situation has chased away my appetite,' I said, trying not to roll my eyes at my own lie.

'I'd rather just rest, for now, but thank you for your kindness,' Kaito said.

'Oh, I'm sorry,' Ami said. 'I don't want to force you all or anything.' She took back the bowls, and passed one to Yuki. They both began to eat. Once everyone was finished, she spoke again. 'So, is everyone alright?'

'Yes, we're fine,' Miku said, looking down into her empty bowl. 'No harm done to anyone. We're just tired.'

'Well, it's still before dawn,' Ami said. 'I think we should all go back to bed for a couple of hours.'

With that said, everyone got up and went to their respective rooms.

For some reason, I could not find it in myself to sleep, so I perused some of the books on the bedside table next to me and settled down to read until everyone else woke up, and we could begin the day properly.

Just as the sun began to rise, there came a quiet knock on the door.

'Enter,' I said in a soft voice, and after a moment, the door opened.

Miku was stood there, eyes puffy and with tear-stained cheeks. She was still crying, and her whole body was trembling with each gasp of breath she took.

'Luka…' The book was abandoned at her word, and I stood up, guiding her back to the bed where we sat side by side. 'What have I done?' she whispered.

'The bandits,' I stated. She nodded, sniffing, before wiping her eyes fiercely. It did not stop the tears from running down her face again.

'I went to sleep, and then I just had their screams echoing in my head. That was it, darkness, and their screams. It was horrible.'

'We had a conversation, not long ago,' I began. Miku looked up at me, a little confused. 'Back when Kaito and I had fed on those two men. I said to you that you were no different than us. I… regret those words, now.'

'But you kill because you need to,' Miku said. 'I just… I wanted to see them dead. I've never – I wasn't – I'm a horrible person,' she whispered. She stood up to leave, but my hand flew out to grasp hers. 'What are you doing? Why would you want to touch someone like me?'

'Miku, I…' What was I going to say? That unknown feeling came unbidden to me once more, but I did not know what to do with it. I wanted to… what? I did not know. Instead, I spoke. 'You are not a bad person,' I said, firmly.

She dropped down back on to the bed, and she fell into me, head laying on my chest as she sobbed. Cautiously, my arms wound around her, holding her to me as her emotions spilled over.

This. This was what friends did, truly. Could I bring myself to trust someone who so wholeheartedly gave themselves to me? The answer felt like it should have been easy, yet there was still hesitation. What was holding me back?

'I'm sorry,' Miku said, after a while, leaning back. She did not face me. 'I got your nightdress all soggy.'

'Look at me,' I said, and she did. 'There is nothing to apologise for.'

We gazed at each other for what seemed like an eternity, yet it could only have been a few moments, and that feeling was wrapping itself around my conscience, demanding to be known. Then Miku gave me a wan smile, and looked away, ending the spell.

'Can I stay here?' Miku asked, eventually. 'I don't want to intrude, but-'

'Very well,' I interrupted. She sighed and snuggled down on the opposite side of the bed, leaving me enough room to get comfortable.

We fell asleep together.

When I came to, Miku was wrapped around me. I froze, unsure as what to do, before berating myself. Had I been my normal self, I would have just thrown her off and woken her up. But that would not have been very much like a friend. So, I just lay there, waiting until she awoke.

Looking at her sleeping form did not help matters. Her face was peaceful, in comparison to just a few hours earlier, and the puffiness from around her eyes had faded away. Her hair, which she wore loose, seemed to have wormed its way around me also.

There appeared to be none of the child-like features which she had held when we had first met. Her face had a more streamlined look to it now, thinned and weathered by the weeks out on the road. I had never noticed how high her cheekbones were, or how her eyelashes brushed the pale olive of her skin.

Those turquoise eyes, heady with sleep, fluttered open and met my own.

'Morning,' she said, and untangled herself from me. Stretching, she made a small mewling noise as she did so. 'Did you sleep well?'

'It was hard to when you were clinging to me like a limpet,' I said, and she frowned. 'But, really, I did sleep well.' The frown disappeared.

'Good,' she said. 'I wonder if everyone else is up already?'

We both got up out of bed and wandered out into the inn together. All three of them were there, and Kaito and Ami were both looking at us when we walked in. Ami seemed to have a small, knowing smile on her face, though I could not fathom why.

'I couldn't convince Kaito to eat,' Ami said. 'I don't suppose I can convince you either, Luka?' I shook my head.

'I am afraid not. We will eat on the road.'

'Are you going already?' Yuki said, voice trembling. 'Those people won't come back, will they?'

'They won't, no,' Miku said, her eyes growing distant. She threw a glance my way, and I nodded. She took a deep breath, and the distant look was gone. 'But we'll be going shortly, Yuki.'

Yuki looked around at all of us and then gave Kaito a hug. He laughed and patted her on the head as she ran towards Miku to give her another hug. Then, to my utter shock, she threw her arms around me. I froze again, staring at the little girl who'd decided to show me affection. When she drew back, she smiled up at me.

'You were really brave, going out with those bandits like that. When I grow up, I'm going to be brave like you.'

I was speechless, then Miku put a hand on my shoulder.

'Thank you, Yuki,' I said, finally, and her smile grew even wider.

'It's true,' she affirmed, and went to stand by her mother's side.

'Well,' Miku said, taking her hand away. 'I'd better get dressed.'

As soon as everyone was ready, it was time to go. As we left through the entrance, however, Ami pressed a small bag into Miku's hands. She looked inside, and gasped.

'That's the gold for our stay. We can't accept that.'

'Please, it's the least I could do,' Ami said.' Miku shook her head but gave thanks and accepted the gift.

'Though,' Kaito said. 'There is a question that I've been wanting to ask.'

'What is it?' Ami said.

'Why is it called Rana's Rest?'

'Oh, didn't you know? The earl herself stayed here a few times, back in the day.' Ami said, proudly. 'She's located in Brinmouth, now.'

'Well, that's where we're headed next,' Miku said. 'I'm glad we made friends, Ami, Yuki. I'll write and tell you all about Nuriel when we get there.'

'Thank you,' Ami and Yuki said, and with that, we started down the path to Brinmouth.

The day was overcast, but the forest path was so thickly lined with trees that I could not see the sky even if I wanted to. For a main path to a city, it definitely left a lot to be desired.

We stopped for the night earlier than usual, as Miku needed to rest, even if she would not admit it.

'I'm going to go get some firewood,' she said, leaving Kaito and I to sit in silence. A few minutes later she was back, her face grave. 'There's a trail of blood not too far away. Kaito, if you get the firewood, and Luka, you follow me.'

'What if it's something dangerous?' Kaito said. 'I should come with you both.'

'Something that has lost that much blood certainly cannot be that dangerous,' I said. Kaito frowned.

'No, it's alright, Kaito. Luka's right. Whatever it is, it'll be weak.'

We got up and left, following the trail of blood as it wound away from the side of the path further into the woods. Finally, after walking in circles multiple times, we came across a deer that lay on its side, spilling blood from a wound in its neck. Something had clearly mauled it, but then had lost interest in the proceedings, leaving the animal to bleed to death.

'Oh, poor thing,' Miku said. 'What should we do?'

'We cannot exactly feed it healing potions. You are going to have to end its life.'

Miku grimaced, but levelled her sword at the beast.

'It doesn't feel right, seeing you like this,' Miku said to the deer. 'But it'll be over quickly.'

'Oh, do get on with it,' I said, and Miku threw me a glare.

The deer bleated weakly, and her sword trembled, but she carried out the deed eventually.

'Alright,' Miku said. 'Hunters rules. We have to deal with it.'

'We? You are the one who killed it.'

'Fine,' she huffed. 'Then I'll just drag the poor thing back to the camp, shall I?'

'Be my guest. I am not touching that thing. It has no head, Miku.'

She sighed, but began to wrap her arms around the dead deer, pulling it up slightly so she could half carry, half drag it back to the camp. After a few steps, I heard a muttered "oh gods" before a thump as the body hit the ground.

'A little help would be nice.' I rolled my eyes, but began the arduous process of helping Miku to pick up the mangy animal. It only took another few steps before problems arose. 'It's slipping!' she cried.

'Do not dare-'

'Ack!'

'Miku, I am going to-'

Then it slipped from her grasp entirely, and I fell to the ground, headless deer on top of me.

'Get this thing off of me, right now!' I yelped. 'Miku, I swear to all the gods, I am going to kill you with my bare hands.'

'Sorry! Sorry!' she said, but I could tell that she was hiding her grin, none too masterfully. She spent far too long heaving the deer off me. I got up and stomped back over to the camp.

'Guess I'll just skin it here, then.'

I did not bother saying anything back to her. I swore that I heard laughter on my way back to Kaito.

I must have had the most thunderous look on my face, as Kaito appeared to be shocked when I came back.

'You've got blood on you,' he said, after a moment of furious silence as I glared deep into the flames of the campfire.

'Tell me, Kaito,' I said, calmly. He looked a little worried. 'You were at a school of mages. Surely things must have gotten out of hand at some point.'

'What do you mean?'

'Pranks, japes, that sort of thing. I am sure that you would have been part of one at some point.'

'Well, yes,' he said. 'But they were mostly magical. A show of skill, rather than being practical in nature.'

'Advise me on what would make such a thing work.' I stated. Kaito's frown deepened, but he did not question me.

'A really good prank focuses on the victim's weaknesses. Something that really makes them uncomfortable. But remember, the object of the prank is to create a fun time for everybody, not just the pranker.'

I dismissed his last words. Focus on the victim's weaknesses… that was something I could do. Oh yes, this would be simple indeed. Happy with my train of thought, I glanced back up at Kaito, who looked pensive.

'Luka, you like Miku, don't you?'

I tilted my head. I had not yet told Kaito that Miku and I were friends, and I doubted that Miku had mentioned it, leaving it to me to decide whether or not to impart that information. Though I had known Kaito for as long as I had known Miku, there was only a small portion of what I felt for Miku attributed to him. Even admitting to myself that I did feel any sort of companionship was surprising to me, I had not realised my feelings had gone anywhere above vague indifference. Maybe it was his show of power, maybe it was because he was now a fellow vampire. Either way, I still did plan to keep him when I resumed leadership of Nuriel. He was not a friend, yes, but he was still useful in his own way.

'She is… a friend, to me.'

'A friend?' he said. 'A friend. That's good.'

'Is that surprising to you?'

'Yes,' he said, honestly. 'I wasn't certain you kept friends.'

'I do not.'

'Then why Miku?'

Then why Miku? That was the question which I had begun to ask myself, what I had no definite answer to. I was not about to explain the feeling I had been having to him. I knew that it was not like anything I had ever truly felt before, that much was certain. But that was something I was not even going to tell Miku about, let alone Kaito.

'I do not know,' I said, just as truthfully as he had done. 'Miku has managed too worm her way past every defence I have put up. She is something to behold, that woman. She is able to change things that have been steadfast all their life. For better or worse, I do not know yet.'

'I think it's for the better,' Kaito said. 'I've never seen you happier, lately, in comparison to when we first met. Maybe happy isn't the right word… but you seem surer than before.'

I raised an eyebrow. Surer? In a time when I felt like everything was shifting so fast I could not seem to keep up, I was well and truly lost. I still had my goal, yes, but the path to get there seemed less distinct.

'We will see,' I said.

'What are you thinking of doing, once you get your powers back?' Kaito asked. My mind flashed back to when I asked Miku a similar question. The answer I had given her afterwards was brought to the forefront of my mind.

'Miku mentioned travelling around Nuriel. I thought of going with her,' I said, shaking my head internally at the lie. What he did not know would not hurt him. Until he became my thrall, of course, but that was in the future.

'Oh, really? I thought of doing the same, exploring Nuriel. We could be a real team. I mean, we already are, but… going around Nuriel, helping those in need, discovering more about necromancy. It sounds like a fine life,' Kaito said, smiling. 'See, before, you would have said that you'd travel on your own, but now… you really have changed.'

Yes, I had changed. There was little use in denying it. But fundamentally, I had not lost sight of my goal. They would both come to realise it in the future.

As for now, I was with Miku and Kaito, and I could still pretend like everything was normal.

But when would I reveal myself for who I truly was? Hopefully, not until the last moments of their lives as free people.