DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampires.
Hehe. Just a little funny and fluff for in between. I have no clue where i'm walking right now. Just gonna go with it until me and my editor can discuss stuff again. Summer is a drag, ya know?
No really. I LOVE IT!
CHAPTER 29: Unruly Protection Services
"Ne, Takuma."
"Hm."
"Takuma?"
"Hm."
He wasn't paying attention.
"Takuuuumaaaa~."
"Hm."
I pouted, giving him a weak glare from over the bookshelf. He paid no mind, thumbing through his new manga. We were standing in a book store in this shabby little town, having left Cross Academy over a week ago. It was hard on him. Not a single sign of Akemi yet and I'm starting to realize he's edging towards the worst.
The only way to make up for this is to get himself lost in Manga.
He's obviously succeeded, though I think it's having a negative impact. He's starting to be more solitude over our travels and less cheerful. It's cutting deep.
"Takuma," I ventured, "I won't buy it for you if you don't listen to what I have to say."
"Yes?" His head popped up, blinking in astonishment before a weary grin spread across his face, "Shizumi! Are you done browsing already?"
"I haven't even started."
"Oh..?"
"Never mind." I sighed, "We can't stay here long. I can sense some prying eyes coming from the woods."
As in, some very bad vampires who smell delicious pureblood. Takuma snapped his book shut before placing it on the shelf, still smiling.
"Then let's head out, shall we?" he walked around the bookcase, extending a shoulder to me which I shyly wrapped my arms around. Damn, fan girl…
"Have you gotten any word from Senri or Rima?" I asked as we exited the store, waving to the clerk as we left. It was a sleepy little town, far too few houses and the shops were more for travelers than anything else. Takuma hummed.
"Not recently. Things have been busy on their end."
"Yes. I hope everyone is okay…"
"I'm sure their okay." Takuma reassured, "Senri and Maria should have things covered."
I shivered at the memory. Yesterday we received that god awful letter stating a bunch of heart attacks that I'm sure I was never ready for. For one, there were new presidents of the night class. Senri became the president and…and…Maria became the vice.
Really? Maria? I didn't think my relation to her would get her that far. I just hoped the others supported her. She has Ichiru…
Besides that, Yuki and Kaname have disappeared off the face of the earth, as to be expected. They took the few night class students with them, which has actually angered a lot of the noble's. Meaning I have to deal with a bunch of hopeless parents wanting me to execute someone.
That's how they replaced the council. Giving me a throne and the noble's a chair at the table. It works, really, I guess. Whatever they want to pass is by vote and it's up to me to give the okay or not. Of course, whoever says I'm really going to attend these meetings?
What? They can shove it up their ass. I have a friend to find.
"Uh, Shizumi."
"What is it?"
"You're growling."
I flushed, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry that was my stomach. You think we could get something to eat?"
"Alright." He led me down the sidewalk, gazing around. I was honestly glad he was here. On my own, I wouldn't have gotten far. Already he's protected me from a few of those priers. It actually makes me feel safer with him around.
And then I mentally kicked myself as thoughts led to that infernal kiss because god damn it! It was a fluke!
"How about there?" He pointed across the road to a bar restaurant. It had stools around an open counter where a man stood hunched, tiredly washing the same silverware.
"Sure, it seems…nice."
Just smile. Smile. Even if it's obviously fake. Smile!
The meal was pleasant and I was surprised Takuma made such great conversation with the drowsy man. He talked about the roads nearby, if they were safe or possibly flooded any passing storms. I'm not sure why, but I kind of felt proud of him. I had no idea where this feeling was coming from (so I ignored it) but I guess, so to say, I think he's doing a good job.
Can't flipping remember what, though. My bodyguard?
That almost sounds devious.
After we ate, we wondered down the road towards the edge of town. I found myself drawn to the lemon colored sky, frowning at how the sun was fading. Takuma noticed too.
"Perhaps we should seek shelter for the night?"
"That'd be wise."
I felt ashamed to admit that I've been abusing Takuma's luxury. He was rich. His family was filthy rich. Because of his grandfather's death, everything had been handed over to father including his money which meant a bunch of things. One important one was zero to none money woes.
Yes. I was ashamed but very happy.
Too bad that smile disappeared the minute we turned down the next street.
Four of them. They stood around us in a square formation, cloaked, red eyes, and one even had a knife. Takuma was great though. He was the picture of calmness (while I probably was shaking in my boots and trying not to melt into a pile of goo) and even smiled to the strangers.
"It seems pretty late for a stroll, don't you think?" He inquired. One of them scoffed.
"We could say the same for you."
Takuma's hand gripped his sword hilt. I felt my own hand twitch towards Oblivion, my other shoving itself in my pocket where my fan was. Another stepped forward, hands up in an almost surrendering gesture.
"Please. We simply wish to…chat."
The way he said chat made it sound like he said lunch. It sent shivers down my spine. Takuma unsheathed his sword, slowly, letting the ring of it settle in the air. The cloaked savages tensed. The one who surrendered dropped his hands.
"I think it'd be best if you walked away." Takuma warned them, no longer smiling but staring dangerously at them. They, uncertain, stepped back.
It didn't take long, but they eventually disappeared.
I couldn't help but sigh.
Crisis averted.
Takuma sheathed his sword, running a hand through his hair, "Well, that sure was exciting."
"Yeah. No kidding…"
He glanced at me before placing a hand on my head, "Well, let's get some sleep then."
I smiled wearily at him, receiving one of those sparkling one's in return.
If only vampires hated the sun…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I woke up.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Not happy.
For one, the sun was in my face. I had somehow managed to get cocooned into my blankets and my own pillow was suffocating me. To further my misery, I was hot. Like, sweating and oh my god someone turn off the flipping sun hot. It wasn't pleasant.
And it only got worse when I tried to untangle myself; I fell off the bed and hit the floor.
Face first.
That's when things got a little crazy. For one, I was dizzy as all hell. Most likely from the fall. I was wrapped in hot blankets and I hated sweating. It was gross. And then it happened. My door opened and a frantic Takuma came in.
"Shizumi, what happened? I heard a-…oh…"
I flushed. No, not cause I was in an awkward position on the ground. Oh nooooo it was something far more embarrassing.
Takuma was in nothing but his boxers.
I promptly screamed.
"Takuma, get out of here RIGHT NOW!"
"But-"
"GET OUT!"
"Okay, okay!"
He slammed the door in his panic, a picture hitting the ground next to the bed. I grunted, spiraling out of the blankets and sprawling out onto the floor. I huffed, furiously wiping at my drenched forehead.
And then I exploded, covering my face and burying myself into the blankets.
I just saw- Takuma- in his-underwear-WAAAAAAAAH!
But…but…that skin- NO! BAD SHIZUMI!
I whimpered.
Today is just begging to be a bad day.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Breakfast was sort of awkward (meaning so incredibly so that I wanted to crawl into a hole an die). Takuma didn't help with his comments of 'at least it's the finest silk around'.
Stupid rich people.
Stupid money.
Stupid lady.
I glared at her from the hotel waiting area. She looked nervous as she signed us out, Takuma smiling and asking her where the nearest rest stop was. I wasn't hiding my loathing for her that much, but still the same. At least I was satisfied she shied away from it.
She kept asking Takuma on a date.
And she's, like, thirty.
That's just wrong.
And he isn't helping with his 'charms' and those doom sparkles.
Didn't help I was in a sore mood all around. I was still sweating buckets and for some odd reason my chest felt tight. My throat was also incredibly dry to where I'd already drained my water bottle twice just on the way to the lobby.
I was in a crappy mood.
End of story.
"Okay," Takuma approached while holding a book up to his face, thumbing through it, "If we keep going east there should be a rest stop down that road. After that is a nice town nestled in this valley so-."
He snapped the book closed and frowned as I stood, "Are you okay?"
"Peachy."
Don't ever walk in on me again. Please. For both our sanity.
He placed a hand on my forehead, furrowing his eyebrows, "You don't look too good. Your face is flushed."
Because, dear Takuma, you're little incident has emotionally destroyed-
"I'm fine." I smiled wanly, "Let's get going so we can get to the next hotel by nightfall."
Because those priers will be out like cockroaches. Always.
We left the hotel (four stars…FOUR) and trudged our way out of town. Takuma talked on and on about his Manga, that tree, where we were going, why the roads were like this, how I should really see a doctor-
"I'm fine, Takuma, it's just a slight headache."
"I don't think so," He leaned over to put the palm of his hand on my forehead, "You're running a fever."
I blushed. He frowned, "And it's getting worse."
No. No it's not. Around you, maybe. But I'll be fine if I can get some SPACE!
"I'll rest up when we stop up ahead." I promised. He didn't look too keen on the idea but nonetheless relented. We carried on, walking down the dirt road where the leafless tree's framed it. Spring was sprouting around, signs of winter long passing. I could already see the buds.
"We should stop at my family's winter home. It's where I took my friends during winter break. It's very nice there, you'll like the backyard. There are tons of beautiful cherry trees and-"
His chatting wasn't annoying. I'll admit right now I liked it. It broke any tense or awkward atmosphere. I liked to close my eyes and just tune in his voice and the breeze. It sounded kind of nice and made me feel calmer.
"Oh yes, and Himaya-chan is one of my best cooks. She'll cook up just about anything. Just make sure not to ask for pancakes. You remember that tale I told you about me burning the stove? Well…"
I snorted, my lips tugging upward into a smile. Takuma is still an Ichijo.
"Oh yeah and- Hey, Shizumi!"
I blinked, startled, only to tumble, yelping as my legs got tangled and I ended up smashing my face onto the ground. I was hastily picked up, though, by a frantic Takuma.
"Are you alright? You were careening into a tree!"
"Oh."
I wiped the dirt off my face and frowned at my blurry surroundings. Takuma's worried emerald eyes held my gaze.
"Maybe we should take a break."
"No I'm fine."
Because purebloods don't get sick, right?
He bit his lip, "No, I think it'd be be…an….to…"
I blinked.
I was a little startled how fast everything went deaf and how numb I suddenly felt. My head started to swim and I winced, a headache drilling into my temples. Everything suddenly went tipsy curvy and upside down. So much was moving at once I couldn't keep track.
My legs gave out and I fell.
Surprisingly, I landed on something soft.
I didn't get to ponder it long though. That infernal darkness snatched me before I could take a peek. What was strange about this darkness, though, was that it wasn't cold.
It felt strangely…warm.
Kind of like sunshine…
Had this idea for awhile now and i love how it turned out. too short for my tastes but i guess thats always how stuff like that is going to be. If you have any ideas for this 1 year long time skip please tell me. I might consider including it. For now, relish in the lovely fluff while it lasts.
Mmmm. dat skin.
