In the hospital, on the fifth floor in a private room. nurses stood around the main desk going over their reports. talking of the little girl sitting outside a certain room. they offered her something to eat. but all she did was smile and politely refused. they worried, but were told that it was ok for her to be there. a certain frog faced doctor had told them so.
My name is Anabelle...she said with an inviting smile when they asked her name.
Her face of sleep, deep serene sleep disappeared in a frenzied explosion of pain. her tiny body quickened, tensed. Her eyes ripped open as if waking from a horrible nightmare. Her body arched high from the tip of her toes to the top of her head in an unnatural curve. She rose like a demonic beast drenched in sweat flung wide in a heavy spray. She fell to the floor clutching her belly as the pain tore through every fiber of her being. Mikoto Misaka struggled against her invisible foe. Her senses coming alive. DANGER! It screamed.
She sniffed the room, her red flaked eyes deepen, glared through heavy sweat soaked strands of hair, nothing.
What the… quickly covered her mouth, as a hot anguished scream wetted her palm, nails dug into her cheeks, red lines colored the edges of cuticles. Every movement, every breath wracked in pain. her arms, legs, ribs ripped, and pulled from her body, claws slashed across her skin. Over and over…she rolled back and forth.
She braced herself on all four, the lines of her naked body slick with sweat. Deep red streaks swelled, disappeared. breathing heavy, she looked at the floor, ripples spread out as sweat pooled.
She heard growling, scampering, peaked through the clumps of wet hair. The two little ones, Kerry and Abigail, confused and determined with their heads on a swivel, searched the room. a third appeared from the hallway, Anabelle, another young one. Looking concern, knelt close to her, put her hand on Mikoto's back, consoling her, gently drying her back with a towel.
MMissstress…. are you alright? her voice trembled. Anabelle waited, her tiny hand shaking.
Anabelle, A survivor of the Barons lust for young girls. she'd been selected by the Baron as he often went shopping at local orphanages. The others slaughtered and fed on.
Mikoto only shook her head back and forth. Where are you? she groaned silently. Her belly tensed, acidic bile burned its way up into the back of her throat. her mouth hung open the smell wrecked her nose, her tongue tapped against her fangs, slicing her tongue. They were larger, sharper than before. A taste of iron coated her mouth. She looked at her hands, nails glistened, ripples spreading out from the edges of her nails She curled her fingers, leaving deep grooves in the floor. Where are you? Talk….to….me….
Www'reee rrigight herree…one of them spoke. The pain crawled it way through her throat and out of her mouth with a life of its own. No…as if it was going through a death of its own, inaudible words, twisted and warped.
Little Misaka didn't answer. She hadn't talked since the last fight. Mikoto wondered but Anastasia told her to enjoy the silence for a while. Besides you always complained about the voice in your head. so now…. she smiled softly, kissed her lovingly.
I nnneeed you to…. she strained under the pain. then it slowly lessened.
Share yourself with the pack. it fluttered through her mind, like a butterfly in a strong wind. Quickly, then slowly. Up and down, struggling and drifting. Emelia's voice whispered in a lover's tone. She told her many times. She would be able to feel the pack, build the pack, make it stronger. With each heavy breath, she remembered. With each heavy breath she knew.
You didn't say this…. Mikoto swallowed at the realization. Each time she shared herself, she felt closer to them. when she smiled, they smiled. When she laughed, they laughed. when Kuroko Sharai harassed her, they shivered. Why wouldn't it be both ways. She said in voice that bordered on a curse. A curse she'd cast on herself. Her body shuddered under the cold sweat.
She slowed her breath then her heart and tried her best to relax. The two little ones, Kerry and Abigail, finding no enemy in the hospital room, calmed down, moved quickly to her side, knelt and pressed against her. they purred like kittens, tenderly stroked her body.
She told you, didn't she? Mikoto spoke to no one in particular. Yes…. the third one answered. How could you…just let me….
She'd slept through much of the day and night. that was when Emelia had made her plans. She didn't wake Mikoto up. She let her sleep. She informed the others, removed the alphas guarding the hospital door and replaced them with young ones. Emelia was one not to overestimate her enemies. Especially this one. All the remaining alphas, expect for Ava, would join the battle. And all the older non alpha vampires. The young ones, those who were not the weakest but the most inexperienced would remain at the ten story building, around the hospital.
Because you are our Mistress…. she said in a voice that sounding miles away, putting her forehead against the side of Mikoto's head. she sniffed, rubbed her wet cheek and hair like a kitten or even a lover. Mikoto ignored the action, looking down at deep grooves extending from the sharp tips of her fingernails, the curled pieces of hospital floor, moved in her breath.
She knew…. the weight, the comfortable weight she had grown use. every time she shared herself was lessening. Chaotic Anger, pain and nothing. The process repeated and disappeared. it was logical she thought.
Tears replaced the sweat falling and rippling across the pool of sweat. She knew. A fight. Her pack was fighting somewhere in Academy City. she wondered if it was those from earlier, returning to try and finish the job. Emelia wouldn't let that happen. Mikoto gritted her teeth, a low steady growl rose from deep inside.
Where is everyone? she asked, slowly pulling herself up from the floor. She waited, the three of them, looked lost, worried about displeasing their Mistress. Mikoto groaned closing her eyes. she didn't tell you, did she?
Noooo they lowered their heads, clasped their hands like children being scolded. Never mind she said reaching over and rubbed each of their heads. they blushed, smiled tenderly. She gave each one a pat, looked around the room. nodded her head when she found what she was looking for. It was sitting on top of the table against the far wall, next to the window. The shades were drawn but a single ray of reddish moon light dropped on it like a spotlight. It wasn't armor but that never stopped her before. Her new school uniform neatly fold and seemed to beacon to her. first, she walked over and into the bathroom, took a towel and dried her naked form.
Walked over to the table by the window, slipped her hand through crimson moonlight. A chill. It was subtle but there. Substance…her hands felt like they were moving through warm water. it felt inviting, soft gentle caresses. Her cheeks blushed without her knowing why. Her eyes glimmered slowly shading to a soft reddish brown. A calm slipped over her emotions, no…not just her emotions, over every fiber of her being. The reddish light of the moon had a tangible feel to it. she smiled, letting her fingers slip through the color and gently take her blouse.
She dressed, taking her school uniform off the table and slipped it one piece by piece. Each time she let her hands stay, soaked in the reddish moonlight... her eyes glimmered as she let her hand twist and turn, her fingers lingering with the reddish moonlight.
The three little ones waited patiently as Mikoto Misaka slipped the pair of shorts on and pulled them up and under her skirt. She brushed out the wrinkles, smirking to herself turned around and saw them waiting. They were anxious, concerned, knowing she was not a full strength. Mikoto gave a hard nod of her head and smiled. And put on an act. Whose weak.
The three moved quickly to the door, lowered their heads in determination and even growled. Mikoto's eyes went wide, her smile grew larger, So Cute…. she could only say to herself.
Yyou cannt go…Anabelle spoke. the other two nodded in agreement. They locked their arms together, stepped back and leaned against the door. she sighed, closed her eyes, look you three need to…
No! Emelia said, we had to do our best to stop you…and…and we will…because…she looked nervous, her eyes darting left and right looking for support from the other two. They tightened their arms together, strengthen their resolve. Their mouths trembled, eyes watered, tears slipped from their eyes, down their cheeks, yyoure all we have…and... anaanad welll have no one if youuo…
Mikoto sighed, put her hand on her head and scratched. Please…. i been in fights before so I'll be ok…and Emelia will be there, and Angela, Ava…and Stephanie…so I won't be…by myself. She said.
Then we're going with you!? They shouted.
Her shoulders sagged, groaned, great this is not what I need now…look she said raising her voice, holding up a single finger, I am older than you three…right…I think…she fretted her brow, she quickly nodded, of course I am…phew..she nervously chuckled.
She still couldn't get over the age difference with some of the vampires. Some looked older but were actually younger, others younger but actually older in vampire years. So, despite being Mistress of her own household she found it hard sometimes.
I am your big sister…so you have to do as I say…. right, she arched her brows high. The three of them slowly nodded before they answered. Yyyessss….
She grinned a mischievous borderline masochistic smile. Besides…she said, almost relishing the thought, if I die…you can go live with that jerk! She chuckled with a very scary face.
Touma!? They cocked their heads in the same direction, confused
WHAT! NO…she blushed, waved her hands wildly, Not, that one…the other one…her voice fading biting her lip, I don't know what the deal is between him and that girl... she sighed…you know…the other idiot?
Oooohhh…..they answered blinking their eyes.
That's right, Mikoto beamed, so…. i want the three of you to go to the ten story building and get everything ready for when everyone comes home…ok…
They shook their heads, with pathetic expression across each of their faces, pouting lips and red wet eyes and tear stained cheeks.
Bbbutt….
No buts…. turn around….and go. She said.
Deep empty disappointed sighs, each one turned around, one of them opened the door, and they reluctantly walked.
Go…. Mikoto said joyously, patted their butts., go now…she said, as she looked down the hallway.
The nurses were sitting at the desk talking and generally not paying attention.
The large reddish full moon hung in the night sky. The size of this moon was unnatural. It looked so close that it could easily swallow the city whole. It was so large if someone were to hold a basketball in the palm of their hand in front of them, extending their arm, this moon would still engulf the basketball. A super wolf blood moon hung high above her, shining its reddish glow over Academy City.
She'd snuck up to the roof and was now standing on the edge looking over Academy City glowing in reddish tint. The evening breeze blew her hair around like a joyous lover, playfully lifted her skirt, showing her shorts underneath. Her eyes shined in the red moon light, ran her tongue over her red lips. An excited chill rolled through her body, sending shivers up and down her spine. it felt like belonging. The thrill of being alive.
She peeked up to the bright red full moon. A rabbit or a woman…she wondered at the illusion looking down upon the earth. Despite the joy she felt how much more alive she felt. She couldn't forget what Emelia had told her. share yourself with the pack, make them stronger. And they will share back. those chaotic emotions earlier, the body shredding pain…she knew. They shared their happy and sad memories of the past, their lost dreams. And their wonder of their Mistress's kindness. At her words telling them they could make new dreams. Something they'd not known for a very long time in another life.
she breathed deeply, filling her lungs with the cool evening red filled air. Her red eyes glistened, tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew closing her eyes, listening. Sending out magnetic waves, she built a 3d image of Academy City in her mind. I just need to find her, the one who'd told her to share herself with her pack. a heartbeat, a breath, a scent carried on the breeze. Her lips curled upward, catching tears. Their salty taste slipped over her tongue. Emelia…she whispered, lifting her head up, sniffing the wind. I found you…. her mouth stretched.
She cocked her head, opened her glaring red eyes, gritted her teeth, fangs slipping out. She crouched, the concrete cracked and popped as she leapt high into the air, over Academy city.
She knew. They were sharing their deaths.