Hey everyone. I'm a big fan of the Vampire Princess Miyu anime and manga. This is my first Miyu fic. I hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you think. Vampire Princess Miyu was created by and is property of Narumi Kakinouchi and Toshiki Hirano. Enjoy.
Through the Heart
The night skyline of Ginza was beautiful. The lights of the city were reflected back by the overcast clouds in a soft orange glow. Miyu sat upon a high ledge at the top of a building. Silently, she watched the glowing horizon of city lights that sparkled, almost like stars. The cold and easy November wind then converted to short, quick gusts. This caused her fine, silky hair to move and tussle, gently, then quickly and then gently again. Her golden eyes seemed to glow in the weak light as she looked to the city far below her.
Another, more quiet gust of wind was felt and she realized that she was no longer alone. "Hello, Larva." She said, not even having to look. Larva's dark shroud flowed evenly with the brisk wind.
"Miyu, you've been up here for a long while. Is there something wrong?" Larva said, removing his mask and watching the skyline with her.
"No, nothing is wrong. It's just…it's been a while since I've been back here in Ginza. I wonder how much has changed since my last visit." She said with a slight look of nostalgia as her eyes wondered up and down the streets below her.
"Come, Larva. Let's go. I'm a new transfer to the High School of Ginza. My first day is tomorrow. A freshman shouldn't be late for her first class. Hm hm." She said with a laugh and an easy smile. They both turned and walked away, slowly fading into the darkness until they had disappeared completely.
The next day, the sun had shown brightly on the city from the horizon, making the bitterly cold air a bit more tolerable. Since, all of the tree branches were now barren of leaves, all that could be heard was a low wooshing sound as the wind blew through the trees of the city streets. Beneath one of these trees, walked Miyu. Dressed in the school uniform designated for Ginza High School, she silently continued on along the concrete sidewalk. The school lay several blocks ahead. In her hand, she carried a leather briefcase which contained several textbooks and notebooks needed for the classes that await her.
This is not a new experience for her. For she has lost count of how many times that she has been a new student at a new school. Countless schools and countless faces she has come across over the many years. Each person being a new and different experience, as well as taste. However, though the students will be new to her, this school in particular will not be. She has walked the halls of this school once before, a long time ago. Without even having to read the instructions given to her by the Ginza Student Transfer office, Miyu found her way to the school and her first period classroom with ease.
The sound was a low roar in the classroom as the students talked amongst themselves about what was going on in their current lives. As class began, Miyu was asked by the teacher to stand before the class and introduce herself.
"Okay, class. Quiet down. We have a new transfer student with us today. Please make her feel welcome." All of the curiosity filled eyes then turned to Miyu. "If you would please, Miss Yamano?" The teacher then said, motioning to Miyu, giving her the cue to begin. Miyu stood up from her seat, walked to the head of the class and faced the students.
"My name is Miyu Yamano. I've just transferred from Kyoto. Nice to meet you." She said, taking a bow. "Welcome to our school." The class said in unison.
Through the day, Miyu went from one classroom to the next, taking in all the new faces. Towards the end of the day, as she passed through the library glancing over the new editions that have made their way to the shelves since her last visit, a very special boy seemed to stand out to her from across the way. He was a beautiful boy with flowing brown hair. His bangs reached down over his face in streams, accenting his cheekbones and sky-blue eyes. But to Miyu there was something more to him than his apparent beauty. This boy reminded her very much of someone she once knew long ago. Who exactly, she could not recall right away. All she knew was that he reminded her of someone that was close to her.
The boy was sitting at one of the tables, reading a book in which the title she could not see. Interested, she sat down next to him and started a conversation. "What are you reading there?" She asked, setting her briefcase down on the table. The boy quickly turned to her as if stirred from deep thought. "Huh? Oh, this? It's a book of classic Japanese poetry from the Taisho Era." He said with a slight blush as he showed the book cover to her. "I see. You know, that Era is most well known for it's romantic literature." She said, showing a pretty smile. "Y-Yes, it is." The boy said, a little embarrassed.
Miyu then scooted her chair over a little closer and said, "My name is Miyu Yamano. I just transferred here today. What's your name?" The boy took a nervous gulp and said, "I-Itsuki. My name is Itsuki Maehara." Noticing how nervous he had become, Miyu said, "I see. You don't talk to girls very often, do you Itsuki? In fact, you have problems talking to people in general, don't you?" After taking a deep sigh, the boy cast his eyes down and said, "Yes. The truth is, I've never been very good with people." Gently taking his book and flipping through its pages, she said, "And you try to forget that reality by escaping into poems and literature of love and romantic conquest. Am I right?" Itsuki looked as if his very soul had been opened up and read like the very book she held in her hands.
"M-Miss Yamano, how is it that you know so much about me?" he said, his eyes wide. "Well, lets just say I'm good at reading a person's character." She said, closing the book in her hands and handing it back to him. "And please, call me Miyu." She said. "Sure." Itsuki said, slowly taking the book. Miyu then got up from the table. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you around, Itsuki." She said with a wave as she walked away. "B-Bye, Miyu." He said, almost speechless and unbelieving of what had just happened. 'A girl actually sat down and talked to me. And a pretty girl at that.' He thought as his eyes followed her as she walked away.
As Miyu walked down the hall after exiting the library, she remembered who it was that he had reminded her of. He looked almost exactly like Kaoru: A boy whom she cared for very much and was very close to when she was still human. She could now remember Kaoru very well. In fact, it was during her freshman year at the high school of her hometown when fate had separated them. The blood flowing in her veins had awakened to its lineage, forcing her to leave everyone, even that special boy. She did this in fear that she might hurt them if she had stayed.
But that was a long time ago. She has become wiser and more in control of her powers since then. Still, 75 years is a long time. To run away from her hometown and the people she loved. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't painful. It's highly doubtful anyone who knew her as a human would still be alive. But that's the curse of being a vampire: All those around you will slowly fade away, like dust in the wind. This is a sad fact that Miyu has come to live with, whether she likes it or not.
Kaoru. She felt the bitter pain of longing as she remembered his face. His calm and gentle blue eyes that seemed to melt her cares away. The tender, warm touch of his hand as it rested on her shoulder as they walked home together from school. His unconditional kindness and love that made her feel grateful to be alive and by his side. Now, reminded of all these things, she feels a cold emptiness in her heart as she walks along the crowded streets. Surrounded by people, but still utterly alone.
Walking there, past the shops and restaurants of downtown Ginza, her thoughts turned to the new friend she had met. 'Itsuki. I like the way he gets embarrassed so easily. I think it's cute. Despite all that's on the surface, inside he has a tender heart. Just like…Kaoru. I can see it in him.' Her dreamy thoughts continued until something drew her attention in front of a movie theater. The sight caused her to cringe and form a look of disgust. It was a movie poster of a new vampire horror film that was coming out soon. The poster featured a white-skinned drooling vampire with a bloodstained face and a clumsy 'wanna-be evil' smile. The vampire was holding in his left arm a young, blonde haired girl with bleeding fang-marks on her neck.
"Ugh! How awful. What a pathetic display of crudeness. These humans don't know the first thing about vampires." She said out loud, folding her arms in a pout.
"And I suppose you do?" Came a voice from behind her.
She quickly turned around to see Itsuki standing there with a curious look on his face as he looked at her then the poster and then back at her again. A deep blush began to form in her cheeks as her wide eyes stared back at Itsuki. Unable to say a word, she was somewhere lost between surprise and embarrassment.
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I probably have no tact. I'm not used to just walking up to people and talking to them. It's just that I recognized you on the street and wanted to say hi." Itsuki said, noticing her clear reaction.
"I-Itsuki. N-no, it's alright. Forgive me, I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon." She quickly said, stumbling over her own words. Her heart was beating a mile a minute.
'Why is my heart beating so fast? I haven't felt this way in so long. Is it him? Is he doing this to me?' She thought to herself.
"So I guess you must know a lot about vampires, huh?" He said, walking up closer to the poster.
"I…know a little bit, yes." She said turning her eyes slightly away.
"Listen…um, would you like to see a movie…with me? It doesn't have to be this one, but a nice one." He said, fighting through his nerves to bring himself to be confident. His words caused her to quickly look back at him with a tiny smile.
"Sure, I'd like that a lot." She said, her composure becoming calm once more.
"G-Great! Um, how does this Friday sound?" He said, now excited.
"Friday sounds perfect." She said, showing a brighter smile.
"Good, then I'll meet you here at around 8pm." He said, with a smile to match hers.
Miyu gave a nod.
"Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you later, Miyu."
"See you later, Itsuki." She waved as he ran off down the sidewalk.
'I think his courage is getting a little better.' She thought. 'But I can't believe I slipped up like that in public. I've got to watch myself. Tomorrow night, huh? I'm looking forward to it, Itsuki.'
(Miyu.) the voice suddenly sounded in her head. It was Larva's voice. Miyu then casually slipped into an ally, away from the public element.
"Yes Larva. I know." She said as she walked along the dark, narrow ally.
(Then you already know that I don't think this is a good idea, Miyu. You know the dangers of becoming too attached to humans.)
"I know, Larva and I thank you for your concern. Don't worry, it will be fine."
(Okay, Miyu. Just remember to be careful.)
"Thank you, Larva. I will."
Miyu continued to walk down the dim ally. Shadows passed over her. Seemingly, her form appeared to meld with the shadows that surrounded her, until she disappeared altogether, leaving the ally empty once more.