Embarrassment 34: Anju's Curiosity

It was the second time within a short period of time that Keitaro had a headache. Keitaro opened up one beady eye and realized that he was inside a building. There was an unfamiliar ceiling above his head and the sounds of people outside of the room. Keitaro didn't move though. His head hurt like hell but that wasn't what bothered him. He clearly remembered the conversation he had had with his father.

"I've been terminated," Keitaro said to himself, still staring at the ceiling. "I never thought it would happen."

Keitaro looked around the rest of the room. It was a small room with only one window, most likely a hospital room. Outside of the window it was clear that it was night. How long had he been knocked out and how did he manage to get here? Did it really matter anymore? He was as good as dead now. That's all that mattered.

Keitaro was about to lay back down in the bed when he realized that somebody else was in the room with him. He immediately recognized the girl as Anju. In her hands was that same creepy doll that he saw her with last time. But how did she manage to get in the room?

"How are you feeling, Hunter?" she said in a stoic voice.

"How did you get in here, Anju?" he asked, staring her down. "And what are you doing here for that matter?"

"I saw you with my niece and have been watching you since then," Anju said, getting out of the chair and coming over to Keitaro's bedside. "You have been asleep for almost three days."

She really does look just like a young girl, Keitaro thought, staring at her.

She leaned in really close to Keitaro and examined him like a target. Keitaro didn't like her being that close to him. His hand reached towards his pocket for a weapon, just in case, but realized that all his weapons had been taken. But what he didn't know was that Anju was armed. Up her sleeve she had a bat familiar waiting to attack if he tried anything.

"Explain to me this, Hunter," Anju said still looking him over. "Why were you with Kanon that night?"

"She followed me, Vampire," Keitaro said back. He didn't like her calling him hunter.

"But you didn't attack her."

"Maybe I should have. Thanks to your precious niece, I'm now being hunted down by my own family. Now do you mind telling me what your looking for."

Anju didn't respond to him. She just continued looking him over. But, as if disappointed by something, she finally took a step back from Keitaro and went back over to the chair. Keitaro was glad that she wasn't next to him and relaxed slightly better.

"What do you want from me now?" Keitaro asked.

"I just wanted to know what your motives are," Anju replied. "I know it was you that gave us that note. Why are you helping us?"

"I'm not doing this for you, Vampire. I'm doing it for the Pushuke that your family is hiding from the world."

"Why do you care about her, Hunter? You pulled a weapon on her not to long ago."

Keitaro wasn't found of Anju. He didn't think that he deserved such an in depth lecture from someone who looked younger than him. But he was in no condition to start a fight with her. His head was still hurting like crazy and she was one of the strongest vampires. Instead, Keitaro took a deep breath and told her the truth about the Organization's plan, from the lies his father told him, to the war that may break out over the Pushuke. The entire time, Anju sat across the room in silence. He couldn't tell if she truly believed him, nor did he care.

"Your family is the one thing standing between all the vampires in the world and Kanon," he finished.

Anju didn't say anything for a few moments. He couldn't tell what was going through her head since she didn't show any emotions. But finally, she spoke up.

"I don't know if I should believe you, Hunter," Anju said softly. "But Little Niece seems to trust you. I just want to know what you plan to do now."

"I plan to go into hiding. My father wants me dead for helping your family."

Anju looked Keitaro over for a few seconds before going over to the window. Before she left, she turned to Keitaro one last time and said. "You may think that Kanon isn't worth protecting, but we are willing to do anything to protect her. Maybe you should spend more time and get to know her. Because its obvious that she wants to get to know you."

"What do you mean?"

"Little niece has never been in such a good mood. But ever since she spent time with you..."

That was all she said before jumping out the window onto a nearby tree and disappearing into the night. But Keitaro was smart enough to understand. He was right about Kanon. She had looked to him as a friend for some reason. But why? He tried so hard to push her away from him because he didn't want a friendship. Keitaro realized that there was a lump inside his pocket. Reaching in he pulled out Kanon's phone. His had been taken, most likely by his brother, but young Kanon's was still with him. It would give him a reason to see her again. Now that he was alone, he needed an ally. No... He needed a friend.

Meanwhile Anju sat on top of a building a few blocks away with Boogie in her hands. She was in silence, still deep in thought about what to do.

"Hey," Boogie whined. "What happened to wiping the boys mind, Anju. He's a danger to Kanon now."

"I couldn't do it, Boogie," Anju said truthfully. "That boy may be just what Kanon needs right now."

"You can't just trust him because he acts nice. He is a Vampire Hunter, Anju. He is your mortal enemy. A vampire and a vampire hunter can't be allies. When he's done with you, he'll kill you."

"I know that. But until that time, we may need him."

"For what? We don't need him. Wipe his mind and get it over with."

"Don't tell me what to do," she replied, slightly aggravated. "As long as he doesn't try anything on my niece, I will let him live."

As soon as Keitaro found the strength to get out of bed he made his way over to the window and jumped out. He didn't want anybody to know who he was or where he was going. He even bought himself some normal clothing and threw away the old. Yukio wouldn't have left him alive for no reason and was probably tracking him. Most likely hoping he went to the Maaka mansion. His best chance was to lay low for awhile.

Officially, Keitaro was like all the vampires he had hunted down in his life. He now knew what they felt like. He knew it probably was a bad idea helping out Kanon. Eventually somebody would catch on. But what other choice did he have? His father was wrong and he knew it. But from now on, he was going to be the hunted.

That makes three chapters in one day. A new record. I'm surprised that there hasn't been many people reviewing lately. I hope the story isn't dead. Please, if you have a suggestion or find a problem, hit me up. I would love to get a review.