Finally! Night Singer is also updated!
We don't own Escaflowne or Vamp. Miyu! We're very sorry for the delay, as well! Yami and I will try to update faster in the future!!
Chapter Ten: Starvation of a Vampire
"KYAAAAAA!!!! Quick! Someone get a teacher! Hurry!" Yukari screamed. Hitomi turned her head, and dropped her bag in shock. The two girls had entered the gym early, to prepare for Hitomi's first track practice. Yukari, already on the team, was going to explain everything to her. Kenji and a few other girls had tagged along. All of them stood, frozen, at the scene before them. Kenji, Dita, and Meeru also screamed. Meeru dashed out of the gym, yelling in extremely hysterical tones:
"Kizu's dead! Otonashi-san! Kizu's been murdered!!! OTONASHI- SAN!!! TASUKETE KUDASAI!! KIZU IS DEAD!!!!"
Hitomi faltered as she bent over to retrieve her bag, her white face growing even whiter and perhaps more strained than it had in the last few weeks. She swayed. Yukari noticed, and, though she was perhaps more frightened than Hitomi, grasped her friend's elbow firmly to prevent her from collapsing. Hitomi fought to regain control over her body, which seemed to have turned to jelly in that short lapse of time.
This was the second girl to be killed, that week alone. The first one (Yume, a third-year, hysterical over juken-exams-and wanting to die, yet too afraid to even attempt suicide), she had also chosen as a target. She had planned to offer the girl eternal happiness-in that case, the heart to plunge into the lake and drown. The same night Hitomi had thought to attack, Yume was found dead, presumably drowned, in the lake.
At first, Hitomi thought that, perhaps, just perhaps, this Yume had finally gotten up the courage to take her own life, but when she and Van visited the morgue, just to make sure, not only did she detect traces of shinma, but Yume's body was entirely drained of blood-along with two fang marks along her neck. Apparently, the police had forgotten to mention those two minor details. To Van, it meant that there was a blood-drinking shinma on the loose. The Hitomi, it meant that she would have to go about another few days without sustenance. She did, after all, live off the blood of humans. She of course thought it a coincidence.
This proved differently. For the second time, her chosen recipient of eternal happiness had been killed. Judging by the ashen pallor Kizu's corpse wore, she, too, had had her blood sucked dry.
"Hitomi! Are you alright?" Yukari asked. When the other girl did not immediately answer, she shook her lightly and repeated herself. Hitomi looked up at Yukari with dull eyes. It struck the other girl that Hitomi was perhaps a shade paler than usual.
"I'm. . .fine. . .Yukari," Hitomi said, the words coming out with difficulty. Her mind processed the information slower than it usually would. Already feeling very dizzy from lack of food, she didn't want Yukari to remove the support, afraid she would faint. Angrily, she reminded herself that Guardians did not faint.
If this shinma was going to stake out her targets and drink them dry before Hitomi herself ever got a meal, then Hitomi would perish. Or vanish. Guardians couldn't die, seeing that they were immortal until every shinma had been destroyed-a basically endless job. Yukari's voice rolled on with the sounds of the sea. Hitomi couldn't see very properly. Two meals missed. How many more before it would stop? How long before her immortal body shut down. . .?
"Hitomi?" Yukari said. When Otonashi-san, the gym teacher, came running to the sight of a girl's bloodless body poking out of the an open locker, head lolling, eyes wide and glassy, he gasped, gulping visibly, and then shouted for other teachers to come at once. Meeru pushed her head by his shoulder cautiously, and saw Yukari supporting Hitomi, who had, indeed, fainted.
"I'm sorry," Yukari said breathlessly, to the nurse. "Hitomi rarely ever collapses like this. But it's the second killing in a row, and in our school! I think it was just too much for her."
Hitomi struggled against the nurse, who was trying to ease her down onto a bed in the infirmary.
"She's strong, y'know," the nurse grumbled, shoving even harder. "Very strong. Almost unnaturally, for a girl."
"Hitomi's been taking the martial arts since she was little, Watanabe- san," Yukari explained. She stroked her friend's white hand. "It's only us, Hitomi. Don't fight us."
Hitomi writhed for a moment longer, then settled into deeper unconsciousness.
The nurse's trained eye could see that this period of rest was not usual. In fact, the girl looked like she had died, from her shallow breathing and pallid features.
"Has she been skipping her meals?" the nurse asked.
"Uh. . ." Yukari thought back. Yes, it had seemed strange that Hitomi never ate when they did. She only drank things: tea, orange juice, lemonade, more tea, spring water-she didn't mind ice cream-of course, she always seemed so healthy, and bright. "No, Watanabe-san, I don't think so."
"Keep an eye on her, understand? If she even goes past a single meal, you'll send her straight to me. It isn't healthy for someone already as thin as she is."
"Yes."
Hitomi snapped upright, surprising the both of them. The nurse tried to push her down again, but she resisted.
"Yukari-" she cried. "Kizu! What about Kizu?"
"Hitomi. . ." Yukari said, not looking her friend in the eye as she remembered the body being removed from the school in a white sheet, "she's dead."
"No. . ."
"Hitomi?"
"I don't feel well at all," Hitomi said briskly, although she began to sound more like herself at that moment, "Watanabe-san, may I be excused for the rest of this day?"
The nurse began to protest that she obviously wasn't strong enough to walk home, but Hitomi shook her head.
"I'll be fine."
"Here, I'll walk her to the bus stop," Yukari offered. "Please tell Tolkien-san why I'm late."
They both rose, Hitomi leaning heavily on the other girl.
||
"Thanks, Yukari," Hitomi said wearily, as she sat down on the bus bench. "I can't believe I fainted like that. I've. . .never done it before."
"Don't worry, Hitomi. I'm sure the killings are going to stop soon."
"I'm not," Hitomi said. "What if they go on? What if I. . ." she stopped. "Yukari, did the nurse think I was skipping meals?"
"Yes, she did."
"I'm not."
"Okay, Hitomi. I'll see you around. Feel better, okay?"
Hitomi smiled. "Okay." She watched Yukari dashing back to the school, and wondered why the school had not been closed. It occurred to her then that perhaps she, Kenji, Yukari, Meeru, Dita and a few other girls on the track team were the only ones to have seen the corpse.
"It can't go on like this," Hitomi said softly. "Shinma and we Guardians cannot coexist like this."
||
"Hitomi, are you feeling okay? You look pale," Van said, concerned, as she appeared on their rooftop.
"I'm fine, Van," she managed a wan smile. "Did you hear about the second girl?"
"Kizu, was it?" Van said.
"Yes. My second target. Someone is trying to starve me, Van."
"Starve you. . .?" she couldn't see his expression beneath the mask, though she could feel his anxiety.
"I chose Yume. She was killed. I chose Kizu. She, too, was killed. Van, it cannot go on like this. You do understand, do you not?"
He nodded, grimly.
"I'm going to need food. I can't just jump on my target. They must first be willing. It is in this way that I am not like these other shinma."
"Perhaps it would be better if I were to do the choosing," Van said softly. "It's only a suggestion, but I think. . .I think, if I were to choose, perhaps whatever is stalking you will be thrown off guard."
"But you could be attacked, Van," Hitomi said, staring at him with soft green eyes.
"I can assure you that they would have a hell of a lot of trouble trying to subdue me, Hitomi." He folded his arms, confident.
"I cannot allow you to do that."
"I understand."
"Please, Van. I don't want. . .any more blood on my hands than is necessary. I don't want any more suffering. I don't want this, Van! I don't want this!" she was almost crying now. Van was seized with a strange longing to go up to her and put his arms around her, pull her to him, comfort her.
However, she pulled herself together faster than he could decide exactly what to do.
"I'm not a child," she said quietly. "I may look it, but I am not a child."
||
The next girl taken was an American one, an exchange student of some kind. Her name had been Alice. A day ago, she had been just as shocked and horrified by the events. Now, her body was gone, shipped back to America for burial.
Again, it was drained of blood.
Hitomi suffered silently. All her teachers and friends noted she was slowly becoming weaker, though she gave no outward sign of discomfort. The normally extremely fast Hitomi would have to stop while running, clutching at her chest and gasping, pain-caused tears in her eyes. She became terribly pale, and looked like she was constantly going to collapse. And yet, her physical appearance never changed. Her skin retained its smoothness. Her hair never lost any of its dark shine. She never seemed to truly have become ill. All they knew was something was destroying her, and, slowly but surely, it would soon eat her away.
(A/N: I'm making Hitomi ill in a lot of these fictions, aren't I? Gomen ne, Hitomi-san!!)
The only difference they noticed was her eyes. They were dull, no longer glowed with that beautiful energy. At times, they almost seemed red. During those times, she would pause for a moment before she could regain control of herself.
Van was, if possible, the most concerned out of all these friends, admirers, and teachers. Every night he would watch the young Guardian return to her rooftop sanctuary, weak, pale, feeling faint; her skin the color of cold ashes on a hearth. The brightness in her cheeks had vanished, leaving only a sheen of gray. However, he remained obedient to her order, and never left to find food for her. He had made a silent promise to himself that, should another target be killed, he was going to get that shinma and destroy it, for her.
Hitomi. . .
"Van, I don't know what's happening to me," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "All I can think about is getting the blood. I think. . .I think. . ." She shuddered, hugging her thin frame, and looked up at him pathetically, tears running down her cheeks. "Oh, Van!"
With a sob, she threw herself into his surprised arms. He knew better than to drop her, so he held her cautiously and waited until she had stopped shaking.
"I think. . ." she continued, after a moment, her voice muffled, "that if I don't get. . .something to. . .to eat soon, I'm going to go insane. I'm going to start attacking everything! I felt it. I can't go on like this! I can't, I can't-" she began to shake again.
"Then it must end tonight," Van said. "Hitomi, snap out of it. You've got to think. Think, Hitomi. Please think." He gave her a gentle jerk.
"I need to. . .lure the shinma. I need to get it. I'm going to. . ."
"Take my blood for the moment, Hitomi. I know you need it badly. Take it-you know if won't affect me like it does humans," and he bared his neck, waiting.
"Van, I couldn't," she said softly, looking down. His offer seemed to have sobered her up a bit. "After all you've done for me, all I've done is get your cloak all wet. I can't believe I did this. Please forgive me. Don't worry; I can last another few days before I start to slip."
||
"Hey, Meeru," Hitomi said quietly, as she was sitting on a bench before gym class. She had been excused from the class, but Meeru was changing into her uniform.
"Yeah, Hitomi?"
"I need your help on something. You know I've been ill lately, right?"
"Yes?" the other girl stopped short of pulling her shirt off, looking at her with sudden interest. Good-she at least had her attention.
"I've been having a tough time, and-"
"You want help with something?" Meeru's eyes widened. Hitomi, the star-student, top in track and grades-she wanted help with something?! She was asking her?!
"Uh, yes," Hitomi said. She blushed, and then was amazed she still had enough energy in her system to pull that little trick off. "Could you meet me in the library after school?"
"Sure thing, Hitomi!"
||
She does pick the loveliest girls, doesn't she? Raphael though to himself, as he watched Meeru making her way towards the library. Mmm. This one has gorgeous hair. Oh, well. She's got a bounce to her step. I wonder what Hitomi offered her? Too bad she has to die. But if I'm going to live through this little ordeal and help my younger brothers return from the shadows, I'll need to clear the way for them, first. Michael, Uriel, Gabriel. . .give me the strength.
He strode towards the library purposefully, intending to overtake the girl before she entered. Third-stride, he realized that was virtually impossible. Much better to wait within the empty library and kill her there.
He knew Hitomi was not there yet. He had been watching her long enough to understand all her habits.
Mmmm. . .human blood has such a delicious tang to it. It's rather like ambrosia. What's this one's name? Meeru? Meeeeeeeeruuuu. I like it. It has a very nice ring to it. I think I'm going to call her. 'Meeeeeeeruuuuuu. . .Meeeeeeeeeruuuuu. . .' That should scare her. He chuckled, vanished and reappeared within a bracketed set of bookshelves. Hitomi is weak from lack of blood. I should be able to take her. If not, I'll just kill this girl, wait another week, and then knock the Guardian out.
He was Raphael, the eldest of four brothers, in order from oldest to youngest: Raphael, Uriel, Michael, and Gabriel. Of the four, he was also most powerful. He had managed to escape from Shadows. In this way, he planned to bring his three younger siblings back from Shadows as well. Together, they would rule the four corners of the earth. He would take the east, Uriel, the north, Michael, the south, and Gabriel, the west. (A/N: In case you haven't realized. . .Raphael, Uriel, Michael and Gabriel are archangels for the four elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Their 'four corners' also correspond to the areas of the four elements. I'm doing a graphic novel about this kind of thing, so I'm researching it!! ^_^)
Meeru shuddered as a draft wafted over her body. Gee. I guess Hitomi isn't here yet. And I skipped work to be here, too! Oh well. I guess she doesn't do this often. And, anyway, because she's ill, she'd probably take longer than usual anyhow. Still, this library is creepy. I wonder how long it's been since people have used it? Since the new one opened on the other side of the new university, more people have been going there. . .Hey. . .where are all the librarians?
"Meeeeeeeruuuuuu. . ." it was a long and sibilate sound, like a cold breeze easing its way through dead branches, with the creaking of those branches as a strident undertone. Meeru gasped, and jumped with fright as the whisper went on, becoming louder and louder with every passing second. "Meeeeeeeeruuuuuu. . .I want you, Meeeeeeeeruuuuu. Meeeeeeeeeeeeruuuuuuuuuu. . ."
She opened her mouth to scream, her heart pounding. Oh god. I'm going to die! This is just like the other killings! I'll bet. . .no, it can't be Hitomi. . .but. . .but. . .TASUKETE!!!!!
That was exactly what exited her throat, a cry which stopped short as a very, very handsome young man, his shape misty around the edges, appeared before her. His eyes were long, and narrow, with sweeping golden lashes. But when he opened them, she gasped again and cried out; they were red, evil, and she knew if there ever was a devil, he was standing before her now. He had the most beautiful smile, yet it was cold, and hard. She felt her knees beginning to go weak. This was the end. Her only hope was for Hitomi to appear.
"Meeeeeeruuuu," he whispered, caressing the hollow of her throat with a small movement of his hand that made her whimper in fear. "Ah, yes. You are a pretty one, aren't you? I don't understand why she chooses such beautiful girls. The only reason I'm killing you is to starve that damned Hitomi Kanzaki."
She had stopped struggling at his touch, and fell, as if hypnotized, into a trance. Raphael continued to stroke her neck, grinning in anticipation of his meal.
"Oh, Meeeeeeeeruuuuu. . ." and he brought his lips to her throat.
She gave a little wail, but was powerless to move. This was his power; to paralyze his victim until he chose to release her from her mental bonds. His brothers had similar powers, all based upon fear.
"P-please d-d-don't," she panted, her eyes wide and terrified upon the top of his golden head, as she felt his lips parting and sharp canines pushing through her skin.
"It won't her, dearest Meeru," he crooned. "It's only a bite. You won't feel a thing. Oh, Meeeeeeeeeruuuuuuu. . ." with that hiss, he opened his mouth wide, letting the fangs sink deep within.
"Stop!"
The cry was faint. He turned, to see the Guardian standing there. She looked ready to fall at the slightest notice.
"Hi-to-mi," he said softly, shoving Meeru aside harshly. She fell to the ground, blood seeping in a slow trail from her neck, her eyes still wide and beginning to glaze over. "I was wondering if you had intentionally placed this girl here."
"So you are the one who has been stealing my prey," Hitomi said. She sounded scornful, though she swayed. "I don't like shinma who play with their food."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Raphael said, still smirking as he licked the last traces of Meeru's blood from his lips. "I just can't understand why the Clan would choose such a weak little girl, can you?"
He waited, ready to spring if she lunged at him. She didn't move, so he continued to bait her. He walked over to Meeru, who was still quite alive. She gave a little moan when she saw his shadow falling over her.
"I don't think she's going to live, Hitomi."
"Then so be it," Hitomi said.
"Let me introduce myself, then. I am Raphael, the eldest of four shinma brothers. You are Hitomi, the Guardian. As I said before, it is a pleasure to meet you. But it will certainly be a pleasure to kill you, as well. I didn't believe it would be so easy to starve you of your rightful prey. I've already robbed you of three. Why do you choose such pretty little things?"
She didn't say anything. She was trembling from the fatigue he thought, from the anger she knew. Raphael went on.
"Was she your friend, dear Hitomi?"
"No."
"Then it is no loss to you."
"None whatsoever."
"The longer we talk, the weaker you grow. Come now, exactly how old are you?"
With a cry of rage, she launched herself at him. Her anger, combined with ferocious hunger, washed out all reasoning and logical thinking. The only thing she knew was she had to get blood. Shinma, or human, it didn't matter.
Blood.
He vanished just as she charged; Hitomi skidded to a halt, confused. Where had the damned thing gone?! She needed his blood. She needed something, anything-
Another horrible wrench and she doubled over, gulping for air, her hands tightening around her waist as the pain rolled over her. A kick to her back sent her flying. She landed heavily, two yards away from Meeru's body.
"On your feet, girl. I thought Guardians would put up more of a fight than this. On your feet!"
She lay still, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of her obeying. It was not a mistake. He let her lie there, patiently waiting as more life drained out of her, much like the blood of that girl Meeru. Hitomi must have realized what was happening, because she hauled herself up.
:Hitomi, do you want me to help you?: It was Van. His mind-voice came across with urgent concern. As she started to say no, he continued. :I don't care what you say. You're too weak to take this guy on your own.:
:Van-:
:Try to stay awake a bit longer. Please, Hitomi, let me help you. I'll be there in a sec.:
:No, Van. No!!: she commanded, but he had already broken the connection.
Seconds later, the black-cloaked demon appeared. He stood in front of her, a wall of protection. Suddenly, she sagged with relief. He was here, he was going to protect her. . .Anger blotted out all reason again.
"Van! I told you not to come, dammit! Why didn't you listen?"
"Look, Hitomi. I know we've never really argued in the past, but this has got to stop. You need to understand that you can't handle some things. Especially not in your condition."
"Stop treating me like a porcelain doll!"
Oho. . .family feud? Lover's quarrel? Who knows. This is fine entertainment. Raphael watched them arguing.
"Hitomi, I don't care if you try to send me back to the shadows. I'm your guardian and it is my decision whether or not to obey you!"
"Van. . ."
"Please stand aside."
She could see the strain it was causing him. The enchantments that bound him-their blood bond-were admonishing him for disobeying her orders. He was struggling against all this, just to help her.
"I will not. This is my fight. My fight alone."
"It became my fight the day you killed me. Now stand aside." He didn't wait any longer, but called out his challenge. "Shinma, I am Van Fanel of Fanelia. Do you wish to face me?"
"So you're that King. Van Fanel." He bared his fangs in a massive grimace. "I heard you ran away from your kingdom. Is that true?"
"Do you accept my challenge?" Van demanded, ignoring his taunting. "Do you, Shinma?"
"My quarrel is with the Guardian, My Lord." He added the title acidly.
"If your quarrel is with her, your quarrel is also with me."
"I refuse to fight."
"Then you will die!" Van said softly. "Those who do not fight are merely waiting to be killed."
"Come and get me, Van Fanel."
Silently, Van drew a sword from its sheathe of air. He charged upward, the sword at the ready. Raphael vanished moments before the sword could reach him.
Hitomi watched him, still fighting the bond. She knew all she had to do was nod, and he would be released from the torture. She did not nod. She wanted to see exactly how far he was willing to bear it.
The fact that he was suffering worried her. What if she made him lose his concentration? He might perish in the fight. She had to give him the nod.
No! She was not going to lose. But she was weakening quickly. The soothing vampiric sleep began to creep up upon her. She needed the blood.
And then, as Van cornered Raphael, he stopped, his swords frozen in air. He couldn't move. Not unless she gave the order. This was one thing he could not fight. Raphael grinned.
"Can't move, can you? I didn't think so."
Van snarled.
"You won't be able to. Don't even try."
Van looked straight at her, his eyes pleading. :Let me kill him, Hitomi!! Let me kill him!:
Hitomi met his eyes.
"Van, I give you permission."
Raphael gasped, and melted away before Van could strike. He appeared before Hitomi.
"Time for you to die, Guardian!!!!"
"Van!!" Hitomi cried, shielding herself. Neither the shinma or the young demon King noticed a sly glow of flame behind her hands. Raphael gave a triumphant grunt and prepared to drive his fangs deep in.
"Hitomi!" Van yelled, in response to her scream, but he saw the flame and the tiny glitter in her green eyes, and stopped dead.
Raphael perished in a blaze of flames ("I will have my revenge, Guardian. . .!!! Guarrrrgh!"). Van helped Hitomi to her feet. She glanced at him.
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome," he said, beginning to laugh. "I can't believe you actually fooled him like that."
"I've still got quite a few tricks up my sleeve."
"You aren't wearing any," Van said, poking lightly at her bare shoulders, and suddenly seeming extremely lighthearted-nearly school- boyish.
"Hey!"
"I'm sorry."
"Me, too. I didn't mean to shout at you. . ."
"It doesn't matter. We'll need to get you some food. . ."
"What about Meeru? I think she's still alive." Hitomi gestured at the prone girl in the corner.
"She's slipping, Hitomi. It's no good. . ."
"I knew he was watching me, so I pretended all these things. . ."
Van grinned beneath the mask. "You even had me fooled. You're quite an actress, Hitomi."
"Actually, I was feeling quite ill by then," Hitomi admitted. "I would have lasted much longer without food. I just let him think I was dying. The fool didn't know that I couldn't die."
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Van stood quite still, then reached up and put his arms around her.
"Thanks," she said again. "We'll need to go. We can't be found here, and I really need something to eat. But wait a moment."
She stepped over to Meeru, who's eyes were finally beginning to cloud over.
"I'm sorry, Meeru," she said quietly. "I didn't think you would be hurt."
"Hi-to-mi. . .you're. . .not human. . .are. . .you. . .?" Meeru whispered, her hands going to her bleeding throat. "But. . .you. . .didn't kill. . .those other girls. . . .I can't. . . believe. . .I'm. . .not going to live. . ."
"I'll answer you one question," Hitomi said to the dying girl.
"I want to know. . .I want to know. . .if tomorrow will be beautiful. . ." Meeru said, her eyes dimming further. "I don't. . .understand. . .a lot of things. . .but. . .somehow, I think it's. . .better. . .I left without knowing. . .what they really mean. . .Please. . .tell me if the sun will shine on all of us. . .tomorrow. . ."
Hitomi knew it was going to storm the next day. She closed Meeru's eyes and spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.
"Yes, Meeru. It will be sunny. . .for you, for all the girls who have died. It will be sunny. . . Sleep now, Meeru. Don't worry. You'll see the sunlight tomorrow. Don't worry. . ."
She stood purposefully. "Come, Van." He nodded, and this time, obeyed with alacrity. "We're going to leave now. I am sure the killings will cease."
"Yes."
Goodnight, Raphael. Goodnight.
There you have it. . .chapter ten!!!! Uh-oh, but what about Raphael's brothers: Uriel, Michael and Gabriel?! Next time on Night Singer!! ^_^
DragonSun
We don't own Escaflowne or Vamp. Miyu! We're very sorry for the delay, as well! Yami and I will try to update faster in the future!!
Chapter Ten: Starvation of a Vampire
"KYAAAAAA!!!! Quick! Someone get a teacher! Hurry!" Yukari screamed. Hitomi turned her head, and dropped her bag in shock. The two girls had entered the gym early, to prepare for Hitomi's first track practice. Yukari, already on the team, was going to explain everything to her. Kenji and a few other girls had tagged along. All of them stood, frozen, at the scene before them. Kenji, Dita, and Meeru also screamed. Meeru dashed out of the gym, yelling in extremely hysterical tones:
"Kizu's dead! Otonashi-san! Kizu's been murdered!!! OTONASHI- SAN!!! TASUKETE KUDASAI!! KIZU IS DEAD!!!!"
Hitomi faltered as she bent over to retrieve her bag, her white face growing even whiter and perhaps more strained than it had in the last few weeks. She swayed. Yukari noticed, and, though she was perhaps more frightened than Hitomi, grasped her friend's elbow firmly to prevent her from collapsing. Hitomi fought to regain control over her body, which seemed to have turned to jelly in that short lapse of time.
This was the second girl to be killed, that week alone. The first one (Yume, a third-year, hysterical over juken-exams-and wanting to die, yet too afraid to even attempt suicide), she had also chosen as a target. She had planned to offer the girl eternal happiness-in that case, the heart to plunge into the lake and drown. The same night Hitomi had thought to attack, Yume was found dead, presumably drowned, in the lake.
At first, Hitomi thought that, perhaps, just perhaps, this Yume had finally gotten up the courage to take her own life, but when she and Van visited the morgue, just to make sure, not only did she detect traces of shinma, but Yume's body was entirely drained of blood-along with two fang marks along her neck. Apparently, the police had forgotten to mention those two minor details. To Van, it meant that there was a blood-drinking shinma on the loose. The Hitomi, it meant that she would have to go about another few days without sustenance. She did, after all, live off the blood of humans. She of course thought it a coincidence.
This proved differently. For the second time, her chosen recipient of eternal happiness had been killed. Judging by the ashen pallor Kizu's corpse wore, she, too, had had her blood sucked dry.
"Hitomi! Are you alright?" Yukari asked. When the other girl did not immediately answer, she shook her lightly and repeated herself. Hitomi looked up at Yukari with dull eyes. It struck the other girl that Hitomi was perhaps a shade paler than usual.
"I'm. . .fine. . .Yukari," Hitomi said, the words coming out with difficulty. Her mind processed the information slower than it usually would. Already feeling very dizzy from lack of food, she didn't want Yukari to remove the support, afraid she would faint. Angrily, she reminded herself that Guardians did not faint.
If this shinma was going to stake out her targets and drink them dry before Hitomi herself ever got a meal, then Hitomi would perish. Or vanish. Guardians couldn't die, seeing that they were immortal until every shinma had been destroyed-a basically endless job. Yukari's voice rolled on with the sounds of the sea. Hitomi couldn't see very properly. Two meals missed. How many more before it would stop? How long before her immortal body shut down. . .?
"Hitomi?" Yukari said. When Otonashi-san, the gym teacher, came running to the sight of a girl's bloodless body poking out of the an open locker, head lolling, eyes wide and glassy, he gasped, gulping visibly, and then shouted for other teachers to come at once. Meeru pushed her head by his shoulder cautiously, and saw Yukari supporting Hitomi, who had, indeed, fainted.
"I'm sorry," Yukari said breathlessly, to the nurse. "Hitomi rarely ever collapses like this. But it's the second killing in a row, and in our school! I think it was just too much for her."
Hitomi struggled against the nurse, who was trying to ease her down onto a bed in the infirmary.
"She's strong, y'know," the nurse grumbled, shoving even harder. "Very strong. Almost unnaturally, for a girl."
"Hitomi's been taking the martial arts since she was little, Watanabe- san," Yukari explained. She stroked her friend's white hand. "It's only us, Hitomi. Don't fight us."
Hitomi writhed for a moment longer, then settled into deeper unconsciousness.
The nurse's trained eye could see that this period of rest was not usual. In fact, the girl looked like she had died, from her shallow breathing and pallid features.
"Has she been skipping her meals?" the nurse asked.
"Uh. . ." Yukari thought back. Yes, it had seemed strange that Hitomi never ate when they did. She only drank things: tea, orange juice, lemonade, more tea, spring water-she didn't mind ice cream-of course, she always seemed so healthy, and bright. "No, Watanabe-san, I don't think so."
"Keep an eye on her, understand? If she even goes past a single meal, you'll send her straight to me. It isn't healthy for someone already as thin as she is."
"Yes."
Hitomi snapped upright, surprising the both of them. The nurse tried to push her down again, but she resisted.
"Yukari-" she cried. "Kizu! What about Kizu?"
"Hitomi. . ." Yukari said, not looking her friend in the eye as she remembered the body being removed from the school in a white sheet, "she's dead."
"No. . ."
"Hitomi?"
"I don't feel well at all," Hitomi said briskly, although she began to sound more like herself at that moment, "Watanabe-san, may I be excused for the rest of this day?"
The nurse began to protest that she obviously wasn't strong enough to walk home, but Hitomi shook her head.
"I'll be fine."
"Here, I'll walk her to the bus stop," Yukari offered. "Please tell Tolkien-san why I'm late."
They both rose, Hitomi leaning heavily on the other girl.
||
"Thanks, Yukari," Hitomi said wearily, as she sat down on the bus bench. "I can't believe I fainted like that. I've. . .never done it before."
"Don't worry, Hitomi. I'm sure the killings are going to stop soon."
"I'm not," Hitomi said. "What if they go on? What if I. . ." she stopped. "Yukari, did the nurse think I was skipping meals?"
"Yes, she did."
"I'm not."
"Okay, Hitomi. I'll see you around. Feel better, okay?"
Hitomi smiled. "Okay." She watched Yukari dashing back to the school, and wondered why the school had not been closed. It occurred to her then that perhaps she, Kenji, Yukari, Meeru, Dita and a few other girls on the track team were the only ones to have seen the corpse.
"It can't go on like this," Hitomi said softly. "Shinma and we Guardians cannot coexist like this."
||
"Hitomi, are you feeling okay? You look pale," Van said, concerned, as she appeared on their rooftop.
"I'm fine, Van," she managed a wan smile. "Did you hear about the second girl?"
"Kizu, was it?" Van said.
"Yes. My second target. Someone is trying to starve me, Van."
"Starve you. . .?" she couldn't see his expression beneath the mask, though she could feel his anxiety.
"I chose Yume. She was killed. I chose Kizu. She, too, was killed. Van, it cannot go on like this. You do understand, do you not?"
He nodded, grimly.
"I'm going to need food. I can't just jump on my target. They must first be willing. It is in this way that I am not like these other shinma."
"Perhaps it would be better if I were to do the choosing," Van said softly. "It's only a suggestion, but I think. . .I think, if I were to choose, perhaps whatever is stalking you will be thrown off guard."
"But you could be attacked, Van," Hitomi said, staring at him with soft green eyes.
"I can assure you that they would have a hell of a lot of trouble trying to subdue me, Hitomi." He folded his arms, confident.
"I cannot allow you to do that."
"I understand."
"Please, Van. I don't want. . .any more blood on my hands than is necessary. I don't want any more suffering. I don't want this, Van! I don't want this!" she was almost crying now. Van was seized with a strange longing to go up to her and put his arms around her, pull her to him, comfort her.
However, she pulled herself together faster than he could decide exactly what to do.
"I'm not a child," she said quietly. "I may look it, but I am not a child."
||
The next girl taken was an American one, an exchange student of some kind. Her name had been Alice. A day ago, she had been just as shocked and horrified by the events. Now, her body was gone, shipped back to America for burial.
Again, it was drained of blood.
Hitomi suffered silently. All her teachers and friends noted she was slowly becoming weaker, though she gave no outward sign of discomfort. The normally extremely fast Hitomi would have to stop while running, clutching at her chest and gasping, pain-caused tears in her eyes. She became terribly pale, and looked like she was constantly going to collapse. And yet, her physical appearance never changed. Her skin retained its smoothness. Her hair never lost any of its dark shine. She never seemed to truly have become ill. All they knew was something was destroying her, and, slowly but surely, it would soon eat her away.
(A/N: I'm making Hitomi ill in a lot of these fictions, aren't I? Gomen ne, Hitomi-san!!)
The only difference they noticed was her eyes. They were dull, no longer glowed with that beautiful energy. At times, they almost seemed red. During those times, she would pause for a moment before she could regain control of herself.
Van was, if possible, the most concerned out of all these friends, admirers, and teachers. Every night he would watch the young Guardian return to her rooftop sanctuary, weak, pale, feeling faint; her skin the color of cold ashes on a hearth. The brightness in her cheeks had vanished, leaving only a sheen of gray. However, he remained obedient to her order, and never left to find food for her. He had made a silent promise to himself that, should another target be killed, he was going to get that shinma and destroy it, for her.
Hitomi. . .
"Van, I don't know what's happening to me," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "All I can think about is getting the blood. I think. . .I think. . ." She shuddered, hugging her thin frame, and looked up at him pathetically, tears running down her cheeks. "Oh, Van!"
With a sob, she threw herself into his surprised arms. He knew better than to drop her, so he held her cautiously and waited until she had stopped shaking.
"I think. . ." she continued, after a moment, her voice muffled, "that if I don't get. . .something to. . .to eat soon, I'm going to go insane. I'm going to start attacking everything! I felt it. I can't go on like this! I can't, I can't-" she began to shake again.
"Then it must end tonight," Van said. "Hitomi, snap out of it. You've got to think. Think, Hitomi. Please think." He gave her a gentle jerk.
"I need to. . .lure the shinma. I need to get it. I'm going to. . ."
"Take my blood for the moment, Hitomi. I know you need it badly. Take it-you know if won't affect me like it does humans," and he bared his neck, waiting.
"Van, I couldn't," she said softly, looking down. His offer seemed to have sobered her up a bit. "After all you've done for me, all I've done is get your cloak all wet. I can't believe I did this. Please forgive me. Don't worry; I can last another few days before I start to slip."
||
"Hey, Meeru," Hitomi said quietly, as she was sitting on a bench before gym class. She had been excused from the class, but Meeru was changing into her uniform.
"Yeah, Hitomi?"
"I need your help on something. You know I've been ill lately, right?"
"Yes?" the other girl stopped short of pulling her shirt off, looking at her with sudden interest. Good-she at least had her attention.
"I've been having a tough time, and-"
"You want help with something?" Meeru's eyes widened. Hitomi, the star-student, top in track and grades-she wanted help with something?! She was asking her?!
"Uh, yes," Hitomi said. She blushed, and then was amazed she still had enough energy in her system to pull that little trick off. "Could you meet me in the library after school?"
"Sure thing, Hitomi!"
||
She does pick the loveliest girls, doesn't she? Raphael though to himself, as he watched Meeru making her way towards the library. Mmm. This one has gorgeous hair. Oh, well. She's got a bounce to her step. I wonder what Hitomi offered her? Too bad she has to die. But if I'm going to live through this little ordeal and help my younger brothers return from the shadows, I'll need to clear the way for them, first. Michael, Uriel, Gabriel. . .give me the strength.
He strode towards the library purposefully, intending to overtake the girl before she entered. Third-stride, he realized that was virtually impossible. Much better to wait within the empty library and kill her there.
He knew Hitomi was not there yet. He had been watching her long enough to understand all her habits.
Mmmm. . .human blood has such a delicious tang to it. It's rather like ambrosia. What's this one's name? Meeru? Meeeeeeeeruuuu. I like it. It has a very nice ring to it. I think I'm going to call her. 'Meeeeeeeruuuuuu. . .Meeeeeeeeeruuuuu. . .' That should scare her. He chuckled, vanished and reappeared within a bracketed set of bookshelves. Hitomi is weak from lack of blood. I should be able to take her. If not, I'll just kill this girl, wait another week, and then knock the Guardian out.
He was Raphael, the eldest of four brothers, in order from oldest to youngest: Raphael, Uriel, Michael, and Gabriel. Of the four, he was also most powerful. He had managed to escape from Shadows. In this way, he planned to bring his three younger siblings back from Shadows as well. Together, they would rule the four corners of the earth. He would take the east, Uriel, the north, Michael, the south, and Gabriel, the west. (A/N: In case you haven't realized. . .Raphael, Uriel, Michael and Gabriel are archangels for the four elements: Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. Their 'four corners' also correspond to the areas of the four elements. I'm doing a graphic novel about this kind of thing, so I'm researching it!! ^_^)
Meeru shuddered as a draft wafted over her body. Gee. I guess Hitomi isn't here yet. And I skipped work to be here, too! Oh well. I guess she doesn't do this often. And, anyway, because she's ill, she'd probably take longer than usual anyhow. Still, this library is creepy. I wonder how long it's been since people have used it? Since the new one opened on the other side of the new university, more people have been going there. . .Hey. . .where are all the librarians?
"Meeeeeeeruuuuuu. . ." it was a long and sibilate sound, like a cold breeze easing its way through dead branches, with the creaking of those branches as a strident undertone. Meeru gasped, and jumped with fright as the whisper went on, becoming louder and louder with every passing second. "Meeeeeeeeruuuuuu. . .I want you, Meeeeeeeeruuuuu. Meeeeeeeeeeeeruuuuuuuuuu. . ."
She opened her mouth to scream, her heart pounding. Oh god. I'm going to die! This is just like the other killings! I'll bet. . .no, it can't be Hitomi. . .but. . .but. . .TASUKETE!!!!!
That was exactly what exited her throat, a cry which stopped short as a very, very handsome young man, his shape misty around the edges, appeared before her. His eyes were long, and narrow, with sweeping golden lashes. But when he opened them, she gasped again and cried out; they were red, evil, and she knew if there ever was a devil, he was standing before her now. He had the most beautiful smile, yet it was cold, and hard. She felt her knees beginning to go weak. This was the end. Her only hope was for Hitomi to appear.
"Meeeeeeruuuu," he whispered, caressing the hollow of her throat with a small movement of his hand that made her whimper in fear. "Ah, yes. You are a pretty one, aren't you? I don't understand why she chooses such beautiful girls. The only reason I'm killing you is to starve that damned Hitomi Kanzaki."
She had stopped struggling at his touch, and fell, as if hypnotized, into a trance. Raphael continued to stroke her neck, grinning in anticipation of his meal.
"Oh, Meeeeeeeeruuuuu. . ." and he brought his lips to her throat.
She gave a little wail, but was powerless to move. This was his power; to paralyze his victim until he chose to release her from her mental bonds. His brothers had similar powers, all based upon fear.
"P-please d-d-don't," she panted, her eyes wide and terrified upon the top of his golden head, as she felt his lips parting and sharp canines pushing through her skin.
"It won't her, dearest Meeru," he crooned. "It's only a bite. You won't feel a thing. Oh, Meeeeeeeeeruuuuuuu. . ." with that hiss, he opened his mouth wide, letting the fangs sink deep within.
"Stop!"
The cry was faint. He turned, to see the Guardian standing there. She looked ready to fall at the slightest notice.
"Hi-to-mi," he said softly, shoving Meeru aside harshly. She fell to the ground, blood seeping in a slow trail from her neck, her eyes still wide and beginning to glaze over. "I was wondering if you had intentionally placed this girl here."
"So you are the one who has been stealing my prey," Hitomi said. She sounded scornful, though she swayed. "I don't like shinma who play with their food."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Raphael said, still smirking as he licked the last traces of Meeru's blood from his lips. "I just can't understand why the Clan would choose such a weak little girl, can you?"
He waited, ready to spring if she lunged at him. She didn't move, so he continued to bait her. He walked over to Meeru, who was still quite alive. She gave a little moan when she saw his shadow falling over her.
"I don't think she's going to live, Hitomi."
"Then so be it," Hitomi said.
"Let me introduce myself, then. I am Raphael, the eldest of four shinma brothers. You are Hitomi, the Guardian. As I said before, it is a pleasure to meet you. But it will certainly be a pleasure to kill you, as well. I didn't believe it would be so easy to starve you of your rightful prey. I've already robbed you of three. Why do you choose such pretty little things?"
She didn't say anything. She was trembling from the fatigue he thought, from the anger she knew. Raphael went on.
"Was she your friend, dear Hitomi?"
"No."
"Then it is no loss to you."
"None whatsoever."
"The longer we talk, the weaker you grow. Come now, exactly how old are you?"
With a cry of rage, she launched herself at him. Her anger, combined with ferocious hunger, washed out all reasoning and logical thinking. The only thing she knew was she had to get blood. Shinma, or human, it didn't matter.
Blood.
He vanished just as she charged; Hitomi skidded to a halt, confused. Where had the damned thing gone?! She needed his blood. She needed something, anything-
Another horrible wrench and she doubled over, gulping for air, her hands tightening around her waist as the pain rolled over her. A kick to her back sent her flying. She landed heavily, two yards away from Meeru's body.
"On your feet, girl. I thought Guardians would put up more of a fight than this. On your feet!"
She lay still, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of her obeying. It was not a mistake. He let her lie there, patiently waiting as more life drained out of her, much like the blood of that girl Meeru. Hitomi must have realized what was happening, because she hauled herself up.
:Hitomi, do you want me to help you?: It was Van. His mind-voice came across with urgent concern. As she started to say no, he continued. :I don't care what you say. You're too weak to take this guy on your own.:
:Van-:
:Try to stay awake a bit longer. Please, Hitomi, let me help you. I'll be there in a sec.:
:No, Van. No!!: she commanded, but he had already broken the connection.
Seconds later, the black-cloaked demon appeared. He stood in front of her, a wall of protection. Suddenly, she sagged with relief. He was here, he was going to protect her. . .Anger blotted out all reason again.
"Van! I told you not to come, dammit! Why didn't you listen?"
"Look, Hitomi. I know we've never really argued in the past, but this has got to stop. You need to understand that you can't handle some things. Especially not in your condition."
"Stop treating me like a porcelain doll!"
Oho. . .family feud? Lover's quarrel? Who knows. This is fine entertainment. Raphael watched them arguing.
"Hitomi, I don't care if you try to send me back to the shadows. I'm your guardian and it is my decision whether or not to obey you!"
"Van. . ."
"Please stand aside."
She could see the strain it was causing him. The enchantments that bound him-their blood bond-were admonishing him for disobeying her orders. He was struggling against all this, just to help her.
"I will not. This is my fight. My fight alone."
"It became my fight the day you killed me. Now stand aside." He didn't wait any longer, but called out his challenge. "Shinma, I am Van Fanel of Fanelia. Do you wish to face me?"
"So you're that King. Van Fanel." He bared his fangs in a massive grimace. "I heard you ran away from your kingdom. Is that true?"
"Do you accept my challenge?" Van demanded, ignoring his taunting. "Do you, Shinma?"
"My quarrel is with the Guardian, My Lord." He added the title acidly.
"If your quarrel is with her, your quarrel is also with me."
"I refuse to fight."
"Then you will die!" Van said softly. "Those who do not fight are merely waiting to be killed."
"Come and get me, Van Fanel."
Silently, Van drew a sword from its sheathe of air. He charged upward, the sword at the ready. Raphael vanished moments before the sword could reach him.
Hitomi watched him, still fighting the bond. She knew all she had to do was nod, and he would be released from the torture. She did not nod. She wanted to see exactly how far he was willing to bear it.
The fact that he was suffering worried her. What if she made him lose his concentration? He might perish in the fight. She had to give him the nod.
No! She was not going to lose. But she was weakening quickly. The soothing vampiric sleep began to creep up upon her. She needed the blood.
And then, as Van cornered Raphael, he stopped, his swords frozen in air. He couldn't move. Not unless she gave the order. This was one thing he could not fight. Raphael grinned.
"Can't move, can you? I didn't think so."
Van snarled.
"You won't be able to. Don't even try."
Van looked straight at her, his eyes pleading. :Let me kill him, Hitomi!! Let me kill him!:
Hitomi met his eyes.
"Van, I give you permission."
Raphael gasped, and melted away before Van could strike. He appeared before Hitomi.
"Time for you to die, Guardian!!!!"
"Van!!" Hitomi cried, shielding herself. Neither the shinma or the young demon King noticed a sly glow of flame behind her hands. Raphael gave a triumphant grunt and prepared to drive his fangs deep in.
"Hitomi!" Van yelled, in response to her scream, but he saw the flame and the tiny glitter in her green eyes, and stopped dead.
Raphael perished in a blaze of flames ("I will have my revenge, Guardian. . .!!! Guarrrrgh!"). Van helped Hitomi to her feet. She glanced at him.
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome," he said, beginning to laugh. "I can't believe you actually fooled him like that."
"I've still got quite a few tricks up my sleeve."
"You aren't wearing any," Van said, poking lightly at her bare shoulders, and suddenly seeming extremely lighthearted-nearly school- boyish.
"Hey!"
"I'm sorry."
"Me, too. I didn't mean to shout at you. . ."
"It doesn't matter. We'll need to get you some food. . ."
"What about Meeru? I think she's still alive." Hitomi gestured at the prone girl in the corner.
"She's slipping, Hitomi. It's no good. . ."
"I knew he was watching me, so I pretended all these things. . ."
Van grinned beneath the mask. "You even had me fooled. You're quite an actress, Hitomi."
"Actually, I was feeling quite ill by then," Hitomi admitted. "I would have lasted much longer without food. I just let him think I was dying. The fool didn't know that I couldn't die."
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Van stood quite still, then reached up and put his arms around her.
"Thanks," she said again. "We'll need to go. We can't be found here, and I really need something to eat. But wait a moment."
She stepped over to Meeru, who's eyes were finally beginning to cloud over.
"I'm sorry, Meeru," she said quietly. "I didn't think you would be hurt."
"Hi-to-mi. . .you're. . .not human. . .are. . .you. . .?" Meeru whispered, her hands going to her bleeding throat. "But. . .you. . .didn't kill. . .those other girls. . . .I can't. . . believe. . .I'm. . .not going to live. . ."
"I'll answer you one question," Hitomi said to the dying girl.
"I want to know. . .I want to know. . .if tomorrow will be beautiful. . ." Meeru said, her eyes dimming further. "I don't. . .understand. . .a lot of things. . .but. . .somehow, I think it's. . .better. . .I left without knowing. . .what they really mean. . .Please. . .tell me if the sun will shine on all of us. . .tomorrow. . ."
Hitomi knew it was going to storm the next day. She closed Meeru's eyes and spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.
"Yes, Meeru. It will be sunny. . .for you, for all the girls who have died. It will be sunny. . . Sleep now, Meeru. Don't worry. You'll see the sunlight tomorrow. Don't worry. . ."
She stood purposefully. "Come, Van." He nodded, and this time, obeyed with alacrity. "We're going to leave now. I am sure the killings will cease."
"Yes."
Goodnight, Raphael. Goodnight.
There you have it. . .chapter ten!!!! Uh-oh, but what about Raphael's brothers: Uriel, Michael and Gabriel?! Next time on Night Singer!! ^_^
DragonSun