Kotori was never a nice person. Through all her many years of endless life, Kotori had learned to be manipulative, crafty, and heartless. Yet somehow she was still capable of such warmth and kindness whenever she was with Honoka. It scared her.
Her intellectual brain warned her to abandon the warm flesh, but her dead heart was brewing this strange nameless emotion that boiled up inside her like black tar. These fluttering feelings disgusted her to the point where Kotori feared this new change would lead her to an early death if she didn't separate herself now. And although she knew better, Kotori wanted to stay a bit longer with her.
In the end, her accumulated years of survival won out and Kotori was ready to go before she did anything regrettable. Before she left forever, Kotori allowed herself one final gift; one more day with Honoka.
The school day had started off just as normal with Honoka being unusually bubbly once they were on their lunch break. The eight year old girl practically sprinted to Kotori's desk, her giant grin warning Kotori she had greeted news. Kotori, unable to age since she was turned into a vampire at age 9, smiled onward eager to hear what kind of nonsense Honoka had ready.
"Kotori! Kotori!" Honoka Kousaka hugged her arm. Honoka never got tired of feeling how cold Kotori always seemed to be, "You won't believe it!" She was so excited to share her new secret right away, but she covered her mouth at the last second. They were too public for their own safety.
"What is it?" Kotori was abnormally patient for her age, but no one seemed to care. They just assumed it was related to her good nature or her parents' well upbringing.
Honoka looked at her other classmates with suspicion. She couldn't possibly share her secret here and have it be heard by unworthy outsiders. So Honoka did what was only natural, she beckoned for Kotori to follow her.
They were currently on their lunch break when Honoka had decided to drag Kotori into a more secluded part of their elementary school. Along the way to find an empty classroom, they kept bumping into other students who were running around the perimeter playing.
Kotori wasn't interested in those childish games unless Honoka was the one asking her to join. Instead she found it annoying being constantly surrounded by so much noise everyday. Regardless, Kotori endured it all just to be with her.
It was a good thing today was her last day she would be attending elementary because Kotori was sure she hated children now.
Finally finding a safe place to share, Honoka locked the classroom door shut and even went as far as to place a chair near the door knob, "Alright this should do it," Honoka dusted her hands off before turning to Kotori.
Now she was truly invested in whatever Honoka had to say, "So what's this secret about?" Kotori raised a brow as Honoka walked confidently in front of her.
Honoka would normally share this kind of news with Umi, but seeing as she was sick at home, she settled with telling Kotori first, "No matter what I say, you have to promise me you won't be scared."
"I promise."
Taking a deep breath, Honoka placed a firm hand over her heart, "Kotori, I'm a vampire."
Out of many things that could have flown out of her mouth, Kotori didn't expect it to be that one. The child-like Kotori couldn't help seeming surprised by such a sensitive comment, "No you're not."
"I am!" Honoka promised and swore that what she was saying was true, "I really am a vampire now!"
This was beginning to somewhat scare Kotori. So the other sniffed her deeply and examined her through her predatory eyes. She was still human, "There's no way," Kotori could see the blood flowing naturally through Honoka's vines, "You're just pretending."
"I'm not!" Honoka was starting to get frustrated, "I'll prove it!" She grabbed Kotori's hand and lifted her forearm to her mouth, "I'll suck your blood right now!" She pushed Kotori's long sleeve away and she took a big bite.
Kotori flinched at the pain, but knew no blood would be drawn out for obvious reasons. Regardless of the fact that the ginger didn't have fangs, if Honoka really was a vampire, then she would have known sucking on another vampire's blood would result in death. Afterall, vampires are dead things meaning their blood was poisonous rather than nutritious. Not wanting to ruin the last day they had together, Kotori played along.
She waited for Honoka to let go of her arm, taking note of the teeth marks left behind, as Kotori began her act, "You really are a vampire."
"I told you," Honoka wiped away her saliva that was all around her lips. Seeing her so proud of herself only made Kotori want to mess with her just for a bit.
Taking a breath, Kotori added to Honoka's play, "But Honoka I also have a secret to share," Kotori covered her own mouth, hiding the fangs that had begun to grow, "I'm also a vampire."
"No way!" Honoka was astonished, "You too… I guess it can't be helped. We both have to eat, so go ahead and drink some of mine," she offered up her arm to Kotori, "I ate a lot from you, so take as much as you want."
She couldn't, but it had been a while since she last fed. Reason and desire battled within her mind, Kotori staring down at the ginger's healthy vines. In the end, Honoka would remember today as some crazy dream, plus it was her last day.
At least that's the excuse Kotori gave herself as she took the arm into her cold palms, "Is it really ok?" Kotori had never drank any of Honoka's blood before though she did drink plenty of other humans during her travels. Being a child for all eternity had its perks with how easily folks lowered their guard around kids.
"Mm, hurry up before someone comes."
She didn't want to argue anymore. Whatever came of this act, Kotori would always hold this memory with fondness. She took the ginger's blood as a parting gift.
Kotori raised Honoka's arm to her lips, she grazed her fangs over her skin before taking the first bite. Honey-like syrup trickled into her mouth, sending Kotori diving violently for more. In all her time drinking every kind of human blood, Kotori had never tasted anything so sweetly thickening. She couldn't bring herself to part, gulping down ounces not realizing that Honoka was tugging her arm away, but her kid strength was no match for her beastly strength.
All that the vampire could think of was how amazing Honoka's blood smoothly entered her. The ginger's warmth tickling down her throat, adrenaline rushing her heart, it was all intoxicating. Logic was out the window as her predatory mind commanded her to leave Honoka completely dry.
Kotori was committed completely to the kill before she felt waves of fist coming down on her shoulder. Those taps awoke Kotori from her devouration.
Coming back to her senses, Kotori clumsily unattached herself, "Honoka?" The sides of her cheeks were stained with blood thanks to her sloppily slurping. She didn't want Honoka to feel scared, so she turned away and began to rub her mouth with her long sleeves. It never occurred to her to check if Honoka was alright.
The ginger took a few steps back before collapsing onto her butt. She felt dizzy and blood was still oozing out from her wound. The fang sized holes which would normally be two small dots were torn widely open from top to bottom. They resemble a rugged cut as if she were attacked by a thick sharp rock. Honoka couldn't recall why she was woozy as she slammed backwards to the floor.
"Honoka!" Kotori abandoned the idea of self cleaning once she glanced at the pale child, "We need to get you to the nurses office!" She didn't care about being exposed to the world as long as Honoka was safe.
"N-No," Honoka was losing grip on reality. She hadn't even dared to look at the injury, "I need a bandage. Go find a big bandage to place on top of this."
"You need adult help!"
"But if you do, then they will find out we're both vampires."
Kotori wanted to scream that in this very room there was only one monster and that was her, but her mouth wouldn't open. Deep down she knew this was the best way to get away with her crime even if it wasn't the best for Honoka.
So Kotori obeyed and went looking for a first-aid kit. It was easy to find one hiding within the empty classroom's teacher desk. Bringing the aid, Kotori went immediately to work as she pulled out alcohol wipes to disinfect the wound.
At this point, Honoka began crying and begging Kotori to stop. Her subconsciousness was fading in and out, reason and craziness, Honoka just wanted her mom. Not really having the strength to fight Kotori's aid, Honoka wailed loudly for any ears to hear. The silver girl ignored it all.
Kotori had only known Honoka for a year. The ginger had only ever shown her tender care and loyalty and what did Kotori do? She stomped down on such a small flower. Honoka wasn't the only one crying when the teachers finally burst through the door. They acted quickly calling the ambulance and Honoka's parents. A childish game that had gone wrong was the cause for her wound.
Through the whole ordeal, Kotori had stayed close. She could no longer leave her. At first, Kotori had believed this was her guilt talking. That she wanted to do right by Honoka, but that wasn't the complete truth. Kotori could sense there was more now. Between them was a bond stronger than any friendship; for better or worse, they were now prey and predator. Never mind the feelings of guilt, Kotori shamelessly couldn't part from such a delicacy.
"Are you going to tell your parents I did this?" Kotori had to ask as soon as she was able to gain access to the ginger, which was once she was allowed to return to school. She practically stalked Honoka's movements and ambushed her on her walk.
A bit surprised to see Kotori so early, the ginger smiled and then frowned at the unusual questioning. Honoka tried to understand what Kotori was talking about, but she didn't remember much about what happened. From her perspective, they had done nothing wrong. Kotori was just the better vampire. Such a thought was enough for Honoka to protect Kotori.
Shaking her head, Honoka told Kotori they were blood sisters now, "As blood sisters we can't lie to each other and we have to protect each other and we have to help anyway we can and no matter what. No matter who asks or what happens we can't tell anyone we are vampires."
This was her chance to redeem herself. She should have bid Honoka farewell and been on her way if she ever considered Honoka a real friend. But none of that happened, Kotori instead took the ginger's pinky into her own and promised Honoka she would stay by her side. She never needed to place any special requirements on Honoka's sisterhood. And yet Kotori didn't know why she had done it. Did she agree because she was still craving her blood? Or did she actually feel some form of kinship towards the girl? Or had it been out of boredom. The only one who could know would be the eight year old Kotori of that time.
...
As time went on Kotori had learned three new things about herself: First, that for some ungodly reason Kotori couldn't drink other human blood anymore. No matter how she did it or who she drank from all that blood just tasted like rusty metal water. The only blood that she could dare to stomach now was only Honoka's. Not even Honoka's family could give her the same fulfillment as the ginger's blood and boy did she try.
The second thing Kotori noticed was how she seemed to age alongside Honoka. Kotori didn't notice this change right away and only figured it out when Honoka was in middle school. In their second year attending, Honoka had a sudden growth spurt that seemed to pass over to Kotori after a drinking session. It was odd, but with her sudden new age, Kotori didn't have to worry about her youthful appearance endangering her identity.
The third fact was a bit embarrassing, but Kotori might have grown a teeny tiny small unworthy crush on her.
Anyways, Honoka was still very dedicated in believing they were both vampires. Bashfully, Kotori had to play along for her survival though she could never forget the strange looks she got whenever Honoka publicly let slip that they had to drink blood. This behavior lasted until their first day of highschool when Honoka admitted she could no longer pretend out of embarrassment. Even though it made things a bit difficult to snack on her, Kotori was still thankful for the ginger's self-awareness.
Then it happened, Honoka had suddenly cut her off completely. Suddenly Honoka was too old to be walking home with Kotori or having sleepovers. It had almost seemed as if Honoka was mad at her and when she confronted her Honoka would just say she needed space.
Kotori was completely hurt and hungry. She had to figure out how to get blood from the ginger before she snapped into a frenzy and then figure out why Honoka was being so mean to her. She wondered if this had anything to do with Umi. Afterall, the bluenette had been giving her a few dirty stares here and there.
Luckily for Kotori, she didn't have to wait too long for blood or an explanation. It had happened all on its own in their second year of high school. Kotori had dealt with alot of high school drama in the beginning of her second year, but she had only one real problem now: Her hunger. It was growing more intense the more she had to endure her thirst.
She wasn't dying yet. After all, she had developed a nice system for the past couple of years where she would sneak some drops from the sleeping ginger. Though her body craved for the good old days when she was able to chug large gulps without worries.
"Kotori!" The vampire girl had been walking home alone when she felt Honoka place a firm hand on her shoulders to stop her from moving any further. This was the first time in months since Kotori felt her warmth.
Feeling herself shivering from the touch, Kotori did her best to control herself, "Honoka, what are you doing here?"
"Hehe, isn't it obvious? I wanted some time alone with you," Honoka fixed her bag that was resting over her shoulders. She seemed shyer than usual as she pointed towards a street, "I know that sounds weird after telling you I needed space, but umm. Do you mind taking a quick walk with me?"
"I don't mind. I'm just happy you're here now. It gets lonely when the only time I get to talk with you is in class."
"Oh?," she rubbed the back of her neck, Honoka's cheeks reddening.
Kotori had lived for a very long time. She had seen the world through the perspective of a small child, which meant she could only ever interact with the world in a black and white matter. It wasn't until she began aging that she was allowed into the world of greys. Finally, Kotori could say or act in ways she had always dreamed without being questioned by society's standards. Like right now, Honoka and Kotori were two teens just enjoying life.
No words were spoken until they arrived at Claymores Park. It had changed completely since they were both kids. Now the park had a large playground complete with slides and swings. The cheese dome that Honoka had found Kotori hiding in was now gone and replaced with a sand box.
"This sucks," Honoka grumbled.
"What do you mean?"
"I was hoping to do things more romantically, but this just-" Honoka slapped her mouth. Her flush face looked horrifying to Kotori before biting back any sort of backtracking babbling. She pointed to the empty benches near the tree line of the entrance, "Let's sit over there."
"Alright," Kotori followed, her heart thumping at the words romantic. She didn't dare to think any deeper.
Taking a seat, Honoka's face was just getting brighter, "Do you remember how we met?"
Like a flip book, Kotori skimmed through the memory, "Mm, it was a cold December night."
Honoka completed the story from her perspective, "I had run away from home after my mom took Yukiho's side on some stupid argument. I was going to camp inside that cheese dome when I found you."
Kotori listened intently to her voice. Whatever happened on that day, the only thing she could confidently say was that Honoka was very warm, "That's right. You wrapped a blanket around us and stayed with me till morning."
Honoka thought that it made her seem cool, "I did, did I?" she chuckled, "I never would have imagined I'd find you that night. Though I was surprised we lasted till morning," Honoka gazed softly at Kotori, "To be honest I was freezing and ready to go home, but when you told me you were staying the whole night. I couldn't let myself leave."
"Really?" Kotori was abnormally happy to hear that, "You could have gotten sick."
"You too," Honoka bumped their shoulders together, "It all worked out in the end, so no worries."
Kotori couldn't even imagine what could have happened if Honoka hadn't entered her life on that night. Nor on the kind of life she could be living right now.
"Kotori I have something important to tell you," Suddenly Honoka had gotten so serious. She sat up straighter than before, "I've been wanting to say this to you for a very long time, but I just never had the strength to do it till now."
"What is it?"
Kotori had only seen Honoka looking so determined a handful of times. Throughout all those times, whatever had Honoka's attention would be conquered within days. That is of course because it was always physical activities that normally provoked this kind of emotions from her. It was never another person.
Honoka's sole focus was on her. Her eyes searched for answers she still hadn't asked within Kotori's body language. Kotori could feel the intensity within the ginger's look. Her sharpened gaze, causing Kotori's heart to rampage. She couldn't bear it anymore, Kotori needed to know what had caused Honoka to express such an intoxicating stare.
"Kotori, for a long time now I've started to feel something different towards you. I'm not sure when it began, but lately you are all I can think of when I'm alone and when we're together I don't want to leave your side!"
There was a pause from her next words. In this pause, Kotori felt the impulse to bite.
"I know I've been acting pretty ugly lately with the whole 'you can't eat me anymore!' But hear me out, I was really confused by you," Honoka had glanced away. She felt like a child confessing her sins, "I just wanted to know if you liked me for me and not my blood. It was never supposed to last a whole year, but then Umi said that you loved someone else and I got jealous so I tried to cut you off completely but i regret it now and-"
"I don't know what you're trying to say," Kotori couldn't control her body. Everything was trembling, her heart was bursting, and her eyes were getting watery. Did the simple minded clueless Honoka know her secret or was this some weird love confession?! "Honoka, you have to tell me properly," she didn't know whether to be happy or mad.
Taking a giant inhale of air, Honoka clarified, "I'm sorry for starving you. I never meant to take this so far," she reached out to hold Kotori's warm hand, "I.." Honoka tightened her hold with determination, "I love you, Kotori. I don't care if you're a vampire."
This wasn't how Kotori thought her day would go. She felt her head throbbing from the chaos Honoka's confessions erupted. She didn't know what to address first, but a gentle squeeze of her hand and Kotori knew.
She wanted to fling herself into Honoka's arms and scream to the world how much she loves her too. That's what Kotori wanted to do. So when she launched herself into Honoka's chest, she couldn't have anticipated the crazy impulse of hunger when she inhaled Honoka so closely.
Next thing she knew, Kotori was sinking her fangs deep into Honoka's neck. The ginger squirmed in her grip as Kotori hungrily gulped all the forbidden blood she's been dying to taste again freely.
Her blood was much richer and smoother than she had remembered. It was pure bliss Kotori hummed with delight. She couldn't remember a time when Honoka was always this addicting. Kotori latched herself onto Honoka's back with her nails. She wouldn't be removed! Honoka fought her at the starter, but soon gave up. She laughed quietly as she pushed past the pain.
"You've been starving because of me... I'm sorry," the ginger's tone seemed to carry some sort of pride as she cradled Kotori.
Kotori got lost within the approval only stopping when she felt Honoka's arms go limp. Quickly popping herself away, Kotori held Honoka who was weakly leaning against her.
"Honoka," Kotori whimpered as she noticed the bloody mess that was splattered all over Honoka's collar. She did her best to wipe the blood from her neck, but it was too messy to do anything there, "Honoka," she called out, unsure of what to do.
"I'm fine," Honoka sighed as she rested on Kotori's shoulder, "I had this coming for a long time now…" she smiled weakly, "Should we go to your place?"
…
Kotori's heart was beating nonstop since they had arrived. She had done her best to help Honoka last all the way to her humble home. A long time ago, Kotori would have been able to carry Honoka to any distance, but now she was too weak to even carry her home. An interesting debuff indeed, but now wasn't the time to be focusing on her growing weakness.
They were luckily enough to go unseen during their small hustle across town. Arriving safely home, Kotori went to work on grabbing clean clothes to replace the ginger's bloody uniform. Once she had everything, Kotori ran back to her room where Honoka was lying motionless on her bed.
"Honoka?" Kotori made sure she was alright by nudging her shoulder. The ginger sturred, weakly turning her head. Her eyes were too tired to open as she lifted her fingers in vain. Her attempt to take Kotori's hand ended with a grunt. Seeing this, Kotori broke into a grin as she helped the other. Their hands connected, one strong and one weak, "Honoka," Kotori lovingly sighed.
Honoka took a weak peek from her heavy lids, "You still haven't given me an answer. Can you please… tell me if you love me?"
How could she not love Honoka even more now? Seeing her so dependent on her drove Kotori mad. Almost triggering another feeding frenzy, but Kotori stopped herself. She instead readied herself to answer when she noticed Honoka drifting back into sleep. It was then that Kotori couldn't speak. She was so close to hospitalizing her again thanks to her freakish strength and hunger. Kotori was a monster.
Taking her reclusiveness as a rejection, Honoka went limp. Her hand slipped from Kotori's, "It's fine. I… I knew that this might happen. Afterall, I'm no one special," her lips quivered, "You can still drink from me… I can come over whenever," her voice was getting lower and lower.
"You're wrong!" Kotori clamped on her arm, dragging her across the gap between them on the bed, "I adore you! I love you."
"You do?"
Kotori nodded aggressively, receiving a small laugh from the weakened ginger, "I have always loved you. Since…" Since the beginning?
Honoka was all grins as she poked Kotori, who had lost her train of thought, "Since when?"
She felt ridiculous for having not realized sooner how much she loves her, "Since the cheese dome," repaying Honoka's kindness was just an excuse she told herself to stick around. Oh, Kotori wanted to cry and laugh. How had she not realized it sooner?
"Really?" Honoka sighed tiredly, "That makes me so happy," she coughed a bit into her hand, "Can I get some water?"
Kotori fetched the glass and some sort of food she had stored up whenever she entertained human friends. Honoka needs to build up her strengths or else Kotori might have to take her to a hospital. Returning to her side, Kotori offered up her snacks before helping Honoka out of her clothes.
"Hey Honoka," Kotori didn't want Honoka to take a shower alone, but she couldn't trust herself to help. So instead Kotori was wiping Honoka's blood with a wet towel, "When did you figure out I was a vampire?"
Honoka was giggling at the memory, "Really? Did you think I was that dense?" She was ghostly pale, yet color was returning to her cheeks, "I knew since the first time you sucked my blood," she felt ticklish the more Kotori wiped her skin, "It's a funny story; you know me and Umi had been watching this vampire documentary. And I was so invested in being a vampire I wanted to pretend to be one, but Umi wouldn't play along. So I thought Kotori would always humor me! And the next thing I know I'm being preyed upon by my best friend."
Kotori didn't appreciate the word choice, "But weren't you scared?"
"In the beginning I was. But when I talked to Umi she told me that you couldn't be that bad if you didn't kill me," Honoka was finally clean enough to place on the clean clothes, "And I still admired vampires, so it just solved itself in a way."
Kotori was amazed, "I don't get it. Why did you pretend to be one for such a long time?"
"Of course to protect you," Honoka was looking better the more she ate and chugged the bottles of water, "As long as people thought we were playing then no one would suspect anything. At most they would just think we were being cringy."
Kotori felt her heart ache. She wrapped her arms around Honoka as she scooted the other into her lap. Burying her head on Honoka's back, Kotori breathed in her scent, "I love you, Honoka."
Honoka was all smiles as she leaned back into her, "Mm. I love you too," they held each other for a long time before Honoka remembered something extremely important.
"Oh yeah before I forget," she said her next words without a care, "Umi's comes from a long line of monster hunters. Just so you know."
"Huh?"
"Yeah it wasn't a big secret, but I wasn't sure if you knew about it," Honoka leaned back into their snuggles, but Kotori was dumbfounded, "Consider yourself informed."
"Hold on. Umi is a monster hunter?"
"Yup, but she's still in training."
"And she left me alive because we're friends?"
"Of course!" Honoka didn't want Kotori to be afraid, "Relax, Umi loves you too," but she could tell Kotori felt uneasy, "If it worries you that much why don't you go talk with her?"
"It's not like it bothers me," Kotori sighed as she pulled Honoka to lay with her on her bed, "Let's forget about it for now. Can I hold you just for a bit?" Kotori asked shyly.
Honoka laughed as she held Kotori's cheeks before giving her a short kiss on the lips, "You can hold me whenever and however you want from now."
"Honoka!" Kotori squealed as she buried the ginger into her arms. She really was in love as she snuggled Honoka hard.
The ginger was all laughs as she returned the infectious behavior; only stopping when Kotori bit her again out of an amorous impulse.
A/N: Hello everyone and happy halloween! I hope you all could enjoy my spooky one-shot. I worked very hard on it trying to make it lighthearted and interesting haha.
Thank you very much for reading, favoriting, and reviewing! Until we meet again!