[Natsuno]
My heart was raging in my chest. I was the cornered prey of two shikis and as I backed off I was clutched by a third one. I could not see quite well who it was in the darkness of the woods. My senses strengthened by adrenalin allowed me to feel small drops on my back. I was lifted off the ground like a feather and that someone made sure I wouldn't let a sound out.
WHO IS IT?
''Natsuno...Natsuno forgive me ...Please- don't hate me.." He hoarsely whispered in my ear.
''Tohru..chm!" Sound muffled between his fingers.
Tohru-chan good timing… I wanted to find him but ran into Shimizu and the Kanemasa freak first. Wait forgive you? For-
''AaH!'' I felt a moist kiss on my neck before two sharp fangs penetrated my skin. I couldn't show resistance due to the overwhelming shock and embarrassment. It hurts!
Even if it's you I don't want this, Tohru-chan! Thoughts were screaming in my head but were unable to be expressed.
''NO! ARE YOU TWO FUCKING GAY FOR EACHOTHER? UGH!'' Shimizu stomped on the ground in objection to what was happening before her eyes. Why the hell is she on about this now? I fucking wish he were gay for me… what do you even know?
With that thought in mind I found the strength to wrap fingers around his hand and unglue it from my mouth. If they think it's gay so be it I don't give a shit anymore so stick this in your pink head Shimizu- I locked eyes with her and gave her a mocking smirk. The only satisfying thing from all of this was seeing her disgust and realization.
''Nnh..aah!" I accidentally gave out a clear moan when Tohru-chan tilted my chin up and closed my eyes. My neck was burning up with pleasure as he was sucking life out of me. It somehow feels so good now… in his arms. I started getting dizzy from blood loss, even the little bit I could see in the dark started fading and soon after I blacked out.
The next morning extreme fatigue took over my whole body. I opened my eyes just to see I was alone in my room. Getting out of bed right away seemed too draining so I started reflecting:
As pathetic as it is I still don't want to die however I did not act on this fear last night. I let my feelings take control of me and that's what got me in this situation. I was so relieved Tohru-chan came back that I willingly ignored the fact that he is dangerous for me the way things are now… This is too cruel I – these feelings I have for him are what's going to get me killed and I don't want that! I have to choose between survival and Tohru-… And last night I chose him. Can I really keep doing that? I'll die for sure. I wish I could talk things out with him but its not like he wants this either in the first place. Or would he really kill me just like others? What a horrible thought... I wish I could somehow help Tohru-chan. Also need to make sure at least those kids make it out of the village alive.
I yawned. Seemed like I needed to recover a bit more before I was ready to do anything. I worried about them having access to my house but my body gave in to the desire to sleep.
Thursday, October 6th, Evening
I had called my younger partners on the phone and arranged a meeting at the park.
I have to warn them.
''Natsuno-niichaaan!'' A lively voice said hello from afar. Kids are amazing they can sound like they are having fun even in a crisis like this one.
Akira and Kaori ran over to the swing I was sitting on.
''We were worried because we couldn't reach you at all yesterday.'' Akira began. "So it was a relief when you called."
''Did something happen?'' His sister questioned.
Yeah, I spent the whole day in bed because the dead guy I love sucked my neck for blood. And he left a hickey, more like two … as if I'll tell you that.
''No. What about your situation?" I interrupted my intrusive embarrassing thoughts.
''Something happened! Today I finally I tried to warn my classmates but they laughed it off because the old hag from Mizuguchi acted like crazy when she confronted the Kanemasa. I couldn't say anything else…"
''Yuuki-san, I wonder if the Kanemasa people aren't shikis after all?" Kaori, naiive as always.
''Leave the village. Get away from this village right away. '' I held a firm tone.
''What do you mean?'' They were confused at my sudden words.
I pulled the collar of my shirt down and revealed the bitemarks Tohru-chan had given me.
''…"
The two stared silently for a moment.
"Niichan, that's not what I think it is, right?" Akira desperately tried to deny the facts.
''They may be planning to turn this place into a village of the dead. We don't really know how many people have died since summer. Those who moved out are probably dead too. And then those who die, rise. Sotoba as a village was shut off from the world to begin with. Outsiders wouldn't notice even if all the residents were replaced by shiki. That is precisely why they chose this target… You guys are no exception! I was attacked which means same could happen to you soon. That's why you need to run away." I tried to explain.
''No way! I don't want to!''
"Me neither!" Kaori followed Akira's response.
''You probably don't have time to hesitate."
"And what about you, Natsuno-niichan?''
"I still have things to do." I need to talk to Tohru-chan and figure something out. I said and Akira tried offering help which I declined. "It is too dangerous for you."
"We can't just leave you in such a condition. We won't run away!" So they have made their choice too.
''You will regret it. In that case don't ever come near me again. The next time I see you, I may not be myself anymore. Got it?'' I left the two to face the consequences of their choices. I was done with the warnings by sunset and it was safer for us all to head home.
I flopped on my bed; hand on my forehead; thoughts about Tohru-chan spun around my head once more.
It was the day before yesterday that Tohru-chan came. Had he come yesterday too, I probably couldn't have moved around like this. I never thought anemia would be this tough.
I wonder why he didn't show up. Out of sense of guilt?
I decided to take action and wait beside the bushes in front of my window. It was a good hiding spot well tested by the horny stalker girl. I was going to wait to see him there.
There he was.
I hid well as soon as I noticed Tohru-chan approaching my window. He walked slowly and stood beside my window raising his arm to knock on it. Sad eyes were facing the ground.
Tohru-chan hesitated and put his hand down his expression was pitiful. How odd. When I saw Tohru-chan in the coffin after his death, he looked like something different…a corpse. But this- …thing in front of me now, this person that is hesitant to attack me is just like the Tohru-chan I remember. I thought to myself.
I stood up and left my hiding spot.
"A.." He was taken by surprise by the sounds of that.
''I'm right here.'' I gave him a proud firm stare as I tried to act strong. Facing him after everything that happened was painful.
[Tohru]
I wavered again… even after acting all proud in front of Shimizu I still can't accept what they expect me to do to my best friend. And there he is, so beautiful and determined. He waited out on his predator, his eyes are piercing me.
I looked away and closed my eyes. I don't want you to see me like this… I'm not strong like you.
I shook off my doubts and started approaching his smaller figure with a cold expression. As I got closer Natsuno held a wooden cross like object up.
''!-!-!''
I froze at once.
''This kind of thing works, huh?" He confirmed the obvious with a deep tone. " What's the matter? Are you afraid of such a thing? How do you feel when you see this?"
Now he was the one shortening the distance between us and I retreated the few steps I had made in fear. Natsuno.. I can't blame him for holding up a fight… He surely figured I came to take his life. And Natsuno probably felt the same when I attacked him from behind. I have no right to judge his actions.
I noticed how far I had backed off when I bumped into the window of his room.
''Or were you afraid of this prior to your death?" My bestie continued with his wave of questions I needn't answer.
My mouth opened slightly in astonishment. I admired his mental strength and seeming composure.
"..Natsuno.." I said weakly.
That's until I pronounced his name and he threw the cross at me.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME BY MY FIRST NAME!" It was the first time I had seen him lose his cool. I shivered and shifted to a protective stance. The fear of the cross that hit my arm was overwhelming.
Natsuno used the opportunity to get a head start and began running. I'm not the only one then. You also seem lost at what to do. It's hard on both of us why does it have to be this way? I'm so sorry I'm no longer the same me that fell for you, but at the very least I am your best friend, right? I can't stand having to hurt eachother like this!
''Can't we coexist?'' His voice was softer this time almost concerned. My best friend was analyzing possibilities for us to be on the same side. It made me happy.
[Natsuno]
"Can't we coexist?" I felt so bad for hurting him with the cross so stopped with my act. It was dumb to think I could remain calm when against Tohru-chan. I kept running and I knew he followed. "Do you really have to attack humans no matter what?"
"It's impossible!" Tohru-chan wasn't mad for what I did. But his answer was as expected.
"If you guys explain the reason in a proper manner, there should be some people who would share their blood!" I was looking back at him speaking softly. Let's figure this out together Tohru-chan, please… "If a little time passes people's blood will go back to normal, so there is no reason to kill them, is there?!"
I took a glimpse at Tohru-chan; running holding his stomach with one hand.
"You can't understand! If that was possible of course we wouldn't kill anyone in the first place!" He shouted my way and I turned around.
Tohru-chans face saddened from memories as he told me. "Everyone is reluctant to it at first! They fear being punished for killing, but once they realize there is no real punishment…they get used to sin right away. The sin that they think of people as their food!"
I couldn't look at him like that. So it's impossible after all. Me and him… humans and shikis.
I stopped running and he tiredly caught up, his hand was still on his stomach as if hunger was going to take over him soon.
"*huff-huff* People don't eat a living pig by slicing off its flesh little by little. Am I wrong?" Tohru-chan finished and tried to get closer.
I turned around with a wooden stake and a hammer in my hands.
"A-aa!" He gasped at the sight.
"If crosses work this should work too, shouldn't it?" I'm sorry Tohru-chan, I don't want to be an easy prey.
"D-don't do it…" The shiki retreated once more. But the fear in the voice of my best friend whom I was holding a deadly weapon against upset me, I frowned. "Natsuno.."
I threw everything at the ground. A loud *THUMP* echoed around us.
"You play dirty!" I shouted in frustration. "At least act like a real vampire! Don't be just like the way you were before you died!" I can't go on like this anymore. You win Tohru-chan.
"Natsuno?"
I rolled up the sleeve of my ochre colored shirt revealing what I thought would be a good place to take blood from.
"If you get hungry you can have my blood. Let's think of a good solution together, Tohru-chan." I faced him with a peaceful smile which I was certain he could see even in the darkness of the woods. "Until then, if you have to kill others, take my blood instead!"
Tohru-chan was fixated on my blood vessels.
"And then lets go somewhere Tatsumi and the others can't find us." I finished my proposal and walked towards him.
"Kkkhh! It's impossible! We cant escape from Tatsumi!" He squatted facing the other way, my arm must've seemed appetizing to the predator in him.
"That's why suck my blood, Tohru-chan! TOHRU-chan!"
A wild scream escaped his mouth.
He was fighting the urge to bite me. It's okay I'll let you do it. If it's for your sake I don't mind the anemia. I calmly entered his range and wanted to touch him-
Tohru-chan's eyes became fully red in black and he pushed me to the ground ignoring the hand I had given him.
The most painful sting on my neck made my body freeze in his forceful grasp. He knew no self-control in that state, all he could seemingly think about was drinking as much blood from me as possible. I'm weak after all. I can't help him what was I thinking? I am no different from his other victims, I'm just human, food…he can kill me too.
No, he will kill me too.
As the painful realization hit my eyes got watery.
"Tohru-chakhhhh! No!" My cries were left unheard…
[Tohru]
STOP! STOP! STOP!
By the time I regained control over my body Natsuno wasn't conscious anymore.
"I- I'm so sorry! Natsuno! Natsuno!" I sobbed in tears again. Natsuno was too kind! I wish you'd just used that cross against me so that way I wouldn't get near you! I hugged his drained body lifting him off the ground.
I carried Natsuno on my back. We had gone quite far from his home but I wasn't in a hurry. The night was young and my sense of guilt was growing with each step.
...
Yoww! IM SO LATE WITH THIS AHAAA! two years damn Vay xD I sure hope you guys that used to follow it are still reading fanfiction. I know I said this would be the last chapter but it makes sense to stop here for now. I will write the rest as soon as possible so that I can mark this story as completed. Stay tuned and dont cry -pat- ;w;! Pliiis leave me a review I love hearing from u guys 3!