Disclaimer: Blood Alone is the property of Infinity Studios and Masayuki Takano None of the characters are mine. I'm just having fun with them for a while.
Misaki ran through the streets, her tears flowing freely down her face. Several people were alarmed at seeing such a small child racing through the night alone, her cries permeating their very souls. Those who tried to help her were brushed aside as she continued running to some unknown destination. They would go about their business with the image that seemed to epitomize heart-wrenching sorrow before their minds would travel down other paths.
Misaki wasn't aware of those who tried to comfort her, or even of where she was going. Her feet seemed to lead her of their own will. Soon enough she found herself at a familiar door, knocking half-heartedly. Tears still fell from her eyes when the door abruptly opened to reveal the owner, a small blonde vampire who appeared no older than Misaki.
Higure's eyes widened when he saw the state she was in. She looked at him so full of hurt and pain that he could do nothing more at the moment than put his hand on her shoulder to guide her inside his home. He closed the door quietly behind her before turning inadvertently into her embrace: she had flung her small arms around his neck and held on as tight as she could. She buried her face into his neck, muffling her wails and drenching his skin with bitter tears. He put his arms around her to try to comfort her as best he could.
"Misaki," he said into her ear. "Misaki, calm yourself. I cannot help you if I cannot understand you." She only sobbed harder against him. It didn't take the master vampire very long to deduce what was troubling her. "You told Kuroe you loved him, didn't you?" The way she stiffened and became quiet when he said that was all the confirmation he needed. He pushed her back just far enough to match his gaze with hers. He smiled softly at how innocent she really was, not just to first romance, but to first rejection. A soft hand on her cheek caused Misaki to close her eyes and lean into the comfort he offered. "Come and sit down, Misaki," Higure said, a hint of command in his tone.
She nodded dumbly, unable to process much else through her anguish. He steered her towards the couch, gently pushing her down onto its plush cushions. He took a seat in the overstuffed armchair he so loved. Misaki realized with a start that this was how she and Kuroe were sitting when she began to reveal her confession. She began to tremble slightly at the memory. The very thought of the event brought more tears to prickle her eyes, but this time she refused to let them fall. Higure was not Kuroe; he was not turning her away. He invited her into his home when she needed someone to grant her solace the most.
Higure simply sat in his chair, watching the younger vampire carefully. He really didn't know what he could say that would make her feel any better, so he remained silent. Occasionally he would brush imaginary dust off his silk pajamas, the soft sigh of skin on the rich material the only sound breaking the uncomfortable hush that had settled over them. Suddenly, Misaki turned her head towards him, her eyes still red from crying. "Higure?"
He nearly cringed at how weak and small her voice sounded. This was not the Misaki he knew and cared for; whatever Kuroe had said to upset her so much was enough to warrant the elder vampire's anger. He kept these feelings hidden from Misaki as he replied, "Yes?"
Her gaze did not meet his, instead looking at the fabric of his pajama bottoms near his foot. "Can I...sit with you for a while?"
Higure was momentarily shocked to hear those words. However, he quickly let his eyes soften and a small smile grace his lips. "Of course, Misaki," he said while opening his arms to her.
Misaki hastily, yet quietly, climbed into the chair beside him, curling into his side. Though the piece of furniture was a good size, with the two of them in it together they were effectively squished against each other...not that either of them were complaining. Misaki desperately wanted to be close to another person, and since the only one she truly wanted to be beside had turned her down and Sainome was out of town on business, Higure was the only logical choice to seek that kind of contact from.
Higure meanwhile liked physical contact in most any form, and if it didn't come from one of his many Renfields, Misaki was an acceptable and welcome substitute. He genuinely enjoyed her company and saw nothing inappropriate with being so close to her, as long as she was comfortable with it.
Misaki drew her delicate feet under her, her position resembling that of a frightened child. Well, isn't that what she is? Higure thought privately. Her head resting under his chin, her hand going across his chest to hold onto his shoulder, Misaki was still very much a child. She could pretend to be grown-up all she wanted, but he saw her true face: that of a scared, orphaned girl just wishing she didn't have so much to deal with at once. First to lose her parents, then her humanity, then her first and only love; Higure wouldn't wish such a life on anyone, much less this frail little girl whom he had grown to care for deeply.
Smiling sadly, softly, to himself, he tucked Misaki's head closer under his chin and wrapped his arms around her torso. Holding someone of the fairer sex so tenderly felt somewhat odd to Higure, but at the same time it was oddly enjoyable. He bent his neck down to place a kiss on her head, her fine hair brushing his lips and chin. No harm will come to you while you are under my protection, Misaki, he thought.
As he felt her breathing grow steadier and shallower and heard her cries subside, he felt himself being lulled back into the arms of his beloved sleep.