Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but I had to think long and hard where I wanted to take the story. For all of you that have been following the story, this is probably the chapter you've been waiting for. I hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you think. Vampire Princess Miyu was created by Narumi Kakinouchi and Toshiki Hirano. Enjoy.
Through The Heart
Chapter 4
The weekend had passed by like a dream: Too fast and barely memorable. Slowly, Monday morning crept over the horizon, casting its orange light onto the streets and sidewalks of Ginza. The long shadows seemed to shorten ever so much as the minutes passed by. The wind blew lightly from the north, moving what was left of the pale brown leaves along the ground.
On one of these streets, we find Miyu, quietly walking to school with her briefcase in hand. She appeared calm and collected, focused and unaffected. On the inside, however, is a different story entirely. Inside, she is a knot of conflicting emotions. Her thoughts continue along the same pattern they have for the past two days.
'I like Itsuki, I really do. I like being around him. And I know that I'm starting to deeply care about him as well. But…do I care about him enough to turn my back on my duty as a guardian?' Miyu thought, quietly walking along.
It was 7:35am and classes were to begin shortly. As she walked through the school front gates, Miyu looked to her left and to her right, hoping she could see the object of her desperate thoughts. Alas, he was no where to be found. With a sigh of disappointment, she hung her head as she entered the school. Then, a familiar voice rang out behind her, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps.
"Miyu!"
Miyu quickly turned around to see Itsuki running towards her.
"Itsuki!" She happily called out with a bright smile. Itsuki caught up to her as she stood inside the front doors.
"I thought I wouldn't be able to catch you this morning." He said, standing before her, trying to catch his breath.
"It's alright, I-" Her words were cut short by a sudden sensation that shot through her entire being. A sensation that she is all too familiar with.
'A Shinma! And it's close. But where!' She anxiously thought as she looked all around her. 'It's very close.'
"Is something wrong, Miyu?" Itsuki asked, puzzled by her sudden strange behavior.
"What? Well…" she said as she still tried to hone in on the Shinma's location.
Then the feeling disappeared.
"Miyu, what's wrong?" Itsuki asked, now concerned. Miyu's attention was still directed elsewhere.
'Damn, I lost it. What was that?' She thought to herself.
"Miyu!" Itsuki yelled, finally grabbing her attention.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Itsuki." She said, her wits coming back.
"What's going on? You had this look like you were about to be attacked." Itsuki said, placing his hands on her shoulders.
Miyu looked up into his eyes and then, calmness filled her. She formed a smile and said,
"It's alright, Itsuki. I'm fine now. Thank you."
"Jeez, you had me worried there for a while." He said, taking his hands from her shoulders.
"I know and I'm sorry. I just had a sudden…panic attack, that's all." Miyu hated having to lie to him, but it was necessary.
"That's strange, you seem so mild mannered, Miyu."
"Yes. Um, It's getting close to start time. We should get going." She said, changing the subject as she heard the bell tone over the intercom system.
"I'll walk you to class." Itsuki said.
Taking her hand, Itsuki led Miyu through the busy traffic of the crowded hallway. Miyu, gaining a slight blush to her cheeks, allowed herself to be led and formed a pleasant smile. However, in the back of her mind, she was still uneasy about what had just happened. If there were a Shinma nearby, it would mean only one thing. She would have to take the role of hunter once again.
Later, during recess, Miyu walked through the halls and looked into all the rooms. She searched the school grounds top to bottom, but failed to pick up the Shinma's trace. Still weary that a Shinma could be near, Miyu kept her guard up as she sat through class. The teacher's lectures passed over her as she maintained her attention to her surroundings, hoping she would catch another sense of the Shinma. Unfortunately, the feeling didn't return.
The final bell rang, signaling that it was time for the students to go home. Miyu patiently waited by the school gates, hoping she would be able to meet Itsuki for the walk out. She watched all the students pour out from the front doors. All of them, as they walked along, reflecting on their own personal thoughts or conversing with friends about what was currently going on in their lives. Slowly, the flow of students began to ebb until one or two exited now and then. Worried that she might have missed him, she leaned back against the stone wall of the school perimeter behind her and slowly slid down until she sat on the ground. She lowered her head as she began to think. 'Maybe I should go.' She thought, about to leave.
"Hey there."
Miyu looked up and with a smile said,
"There you are. I thought I had missed you."
"Nah, I just stayed after class for a couple minutes to ask the teacher a few questions, that's all." He said.
"Shall we go?" Itsuki said, holding out his hand to help her up.
"Sure." She said, taking his hand and standing.
The two walked hand in hand toward the shopping district, talking about their classes, the assignments they had received and whatever else came to topic. The horizon began to change. The sky slowly turned orange, the horizon beckoning the sun to come nearer. A chill began to form in the air as a breeze started to flow through the city. However, Miyu and Itsuki were too involved in deep conversation to notice.
"Hey, I know this great crepe stand that's nearby. Would you like one, Miyu?" Itsuki asked, pointing down the street.
"Sure, that sounds great." Miyu said, walking along side him.
The two walked blissfully in downtown Ginza, enjoying the brisk evening. Their cares seemed long forgotten as they talked and laughed, constantly refreshing themselves in the pool of happiness that they create together. After finishing their crepes, they decided to take a slow walk through the park. The park seemed to become their favorite place to spend time with each other. To them, it is a peaceful, tranquil place that is isolated from the fast-paced noise of society.
A few moments passed and they both found a nearby bench to sit down. The two sat there quietly as they watched the last few leaves of the trees gently fall to the ground below. Slowly, without even knowing it, they drew closer and closer. Then their faces turned to each other. Almost entranced, they inched closer. Closer still. Their breath could be felt in each other's lips. Suddenly, reason sparked back into Miyu's mind and she slowly pulled back.
"Itsuki, I don't think this is a good idea." She whispered, looking back from his lips to his eyes.
Whispering back, Itsuki said, "Miyu, you're the most amazing girl I've ever known. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I care about you and I want to be close to you…forever." He said.
"Itsuki, you don't know what you're asking." She whispered even more softly.
Itsuki then took the back of his fingers and gently caressed her cheek.
"Please, let me be close to you, Miyu." He said, slowly closing the space between them.
"Itsuki…" she said, as she closed her eyes, surrendering to his advance.
Their lips met, sending them both into a realm of their own, filled with bliss and devoid of the worries of the world. As they continued the deepening embrace of their lips, for the first time in so long, Miyu felt her heart beat fast and hard in her chest. The warmth of passion now flowing through her veins, Miyu's mind was filled with emotions and desires she hadn't felt in ages. She wanted this ecstasy more than anything. Miyu ran her hands around Itsuki's back, bringing him ever closer as he did the same.
The city could have fallen down around them and they wouldn't have noticed. They were too caught up in the sheer pleasure of their kiss to even notice. Finally they broke away and slowly pulled back. The two stared into each other's eyes until something caught Miyu's attention in the background behind Itsuki. A shadowy figure, draped in a dark blue cloak, stood in the silhouette of a nearby tree.
"Larva." She whispered as everything came back to her.
"Larva?" Itsuki said.
Larva removed his mask and silently stared at Miyu, as she looked on at him. A look of worry painted her expression, then resolve. For a long moment, they silently communicated volumes until Miyu closed her eyes and rested her head on Itsuki's chest. Larva closed his eyes, tilted his head downward and disappeared into the darkness.
(As you wish, Miyu.) She heard in her mind.
For a long time, Itsuki and Miyu sat there, warming themselves in the comfort of their embrace. Unfortunately, this was ended abruptly by a strong feeling that shot through Miyu's senses.
'The Shinma! It's back!' She thought as she quickly pulled away from Itsuki.
'Where is he? Where!' she thought as she stood up and hastily scanned her surroundings.
"What? What's wrong, Miyu?" Itsuki said, confused.
"Shh." She sounded as she continued to look all around her.
Then, as quickly as the feeling came, it went away leaving Miyu uneasy. She turned back to Itsuki only to be met by his concerned eyes.
"Miyu, that did not look like a panic attack. You're really starting to worry me. Please, tell me what's wrong." He said, standing up and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"It's nothing, Itsuki. Forget it." She said, turning her head away.
"No, it's not nothing, Miyu." He said, gently moving her face back to his. "Something's going on. Tell me."
"Itsuki? Do you trust me?" she said, looking into his eyes.
"Yes." He said, slowly but curiously.
"Then please, don't ask me anymore questions." She said.
Itsuki looked at her for a moment, let out a sigh and formed an uneasy smile to show her that he understood.
"Okay, Miyu. No more questions then." He said, placing his hand on the side of her face.
"Thank you, Itsuki." She said, laying her hand over his.
The two had decided to call it a night. They walked to the edge of the park. There, they paused, getting ready to part ways. As they stood there, Itsuki leaned in for one last kiss, which Miyu gratefully welcomed. The kiss lasted for a few moments until they slowly pulled back.
"I'll see you tomorrow at school then?" He said, still holding her.
"I'll be looking forward to it." She said with a smile.
Then, with a wave good-bye, they both walked off in opposite directions. Miyu found a secluded alley and then disappeared. Across town, she reappeared in the graveyard, atop one of the mausoleums. Quietly she sat there, allowing the wind to gently caress her face. She then formed a slight blush as she remembered the kiss she and Itsuki had just shared a short while ago. Miyu allowed herself a pleasant smile. Suddenly, a cute little pink creature hopped up onto her lap, breaking her out of her daze.
"Hello Shiina." Miyu said, placing her hand on Shiina's head and starting to pet her.
"You look pretty happy tonight, Miyu. I haven't seen you smile like this in a while. Did good something happen to you?" Shiina innocently asked.
With the quiet flap of his cloak, Larva appeared behind them. With a tone of concern in his voice, he said, "Miyu, we have to talk about this boy."
"Huh? What boy?" Shiina asked.
"Larva…I know now that…not only have I come to care about Itsuki…I love him. I love him very much." She said, while looking down at Shiina.
"Does he feel the same way about you?" Larva asked, plainly.
"I'm not sure. I will tell him how I truly feel when I see him next. I know he's come to care about me, but I really hope he feels the same way." She said, as she continued to pet Shiina's head.
"Do you love him enough to leave your position as Guardian?" Larva said.
Miyu hesitated, "I…I don't know."
"Even if you do, Miyu, considering the reality of what we are, he will eventually fade from your life through death." Larva then placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Then, I will stay with him as long as possible." Miyu said, now with determination.
"Miyu, you're not going to leave us, are you?" Shiina asked in worry.
"No, I won't do that. You and Larva are very important to me." Miyu said, now petting her in broader strokes, trying to comfort her.
"But you will have to tell him the truth of what you are, sooner or later, right?" Shiina said, then looking up at Miyu.
"You're right. I will tell him, but the time has to be right." Miyu said, then looking up to the moon, which was shining brightly on the vast cemetery from the clear sky.
The cold wind slowly became stronger as it blew over the land. 'Winds of change' some people might call it. At this point in time, it is a wind that brings Miyu comfort as it gently flows over her. Naturally, she is unaffected by the cold. While the rest of the world slept, the three of them remained, enjoying the quietness of the night.
The next morning came. Miyu waited at the school gates for Itsuki to show up. Not after long, he arrived and greeted Miyu with a smile. Miyu matched his smile and then slowly took his arm.
"Itsuki, can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked.
"Sure, what's going on?" He asked.
Miyu led him away where the other students couldn't see. Miyu let go of his arm and stood before him with a serious look on her face.
"Miyu, we're going to be late for class. What's this about?" He asked, looking at the clock at the top of the school and back to her.
"I don't care about that. I want to ask you. Itsuki…how do you feel about me? Tell me honestly and truly." She said.
Itsuki, a little shocked by her straightforwardness, then said,
"I…Miyu I…I love you. Honestly and truly."
At those words, tears of happiness fell down Miyu's cheeks.
With a bright smile she said, "I love you too, Itsuki."
Miyu then moved in close to him as they both met in a long and loving kiss. The school bell, that let the students know classes were starting, rang through the school grounds, but they didn't care. They were in love and nothing else mattered.