Our Story
Chapter 6

Shinjiro

It's been over a month. A damn, lousy month and no sign of Hamuko. She'd better be alive. I've been in my room the whole time except for the few short hours when we left to honor Miki. Otherwise, I've been cooped up in here and Mitsuru and Aki have pretty much been forcing me to eat.

My room feels a lot colder without Hamuko.

It's strange. I've only known her for a half-year, and the first three months were before we'd hooked up and the last month was while she was away. Less than two months. That's all I've been able to spend with her. Two months is nothing but a flash to me. I've lived over a thousand years. That's over twelve thousand months! It's nothing.

…But why does it feel like everything?

Hamuko

I sit in a small alcove in my home segment, just staring at nothing. Footsteps come up behind me and I turn to see a girl with short, bluish hair standing there. She's dressed like all angels in silver and white, but she wears a gentle smile on her face. I raise an eyebrow at her and ask, "Can I help you?"

She cocks her head, shooting me that same smile. "That should be my question. I was asked by Master Igor to come see you. He said you've had health concerns."

I blink. "He did?"

She nods. "I'm Fuuka, a healer type."

I nod. Okay. "Well, I was hit by a Megidolaon spell. I think I'm all healed up from that, though." Oh, wait. I get it. I feel a blush creep on my cheeks and look away, mumbling, "Oh… and I'm pregnant. I guess Master wanted someone to come and make sure the baby's okay."

Fuuka gives a sound of acknowledgement and walks over to sit next to me, slowly reaching her hands out. "May I?"

I nod and lean back, raising my hands over my head. "Do whatever you have to."

She gently lifts my shirt to show my stomach and touches her hands to my skin. It tickles. For all I can remember, Shinji's the only one who touched my skin like this. He never casted magic on it, though. Fuuka's eyes close as she ghosts her hands over my tummy. A soft glow resonates on my skin where her fingertips touch and, finally, she frowns. Uh-oh. What does that mean?

"I… I don't understand…"

"Wh-what? What's going on?"

"You said you were struck by Megidolaon, right?"

I nod. "Is the baby okay?"

She pauses, and prods my stomach a little more. "If I understand this correctly, you shouldn't have survived a strike like that. How did your child survive without harm?"

"You mean… he's okay?" I don't know why, but I had a feeling it was a boy. Call it mother's intuition.

She shakes her head. "Her." Oh. Whoops. "And, yes, she's just fine."

I can't help but squeal and reach out to hug her. "Thank you, Fuuka!"

She stiffens at first, but then hugs me back with a smile. "You… had another in your body, didn't you?"

"Aside from the baby?"

She nods.

"Well, there's a vampire princess living in me."

"I see… That would explain it. She must have been a healer type. She must have given herself to save you and your child."

Wait. Miki's gone? "She's gone?"

"I don't sense anyone else within you. I'm sorry."

I… I wonder how I'll tell Shinji… and Akihiko. Oh, crap.

She rises to her feet slowly and gives that sad smile again. "I will see you again sometime, Hamuko-chan. Best of luck with you and your coming family."

"Wait!"

She pauses. "Hm?"

"I… I was told that my mother and grandmother died when they had their children because of Miki. Since she's gone, do you think I'll be okay?"

She turns back to me with a pondering look. "I can't say. Unfortunately, that is something you'll have to experience."

"I… I see." I turn back to her with a bright smile. "Thank you for your time, Fuuka."

"It is my pleasure. I'll see you another day, then."

…

Today's the day! I'm going to return to the planet with Minato-kun and Master Igor. I can't believe Master's going. I didn't think he'd ever leave Seiya. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he is, but still.

I'm pregnant!

I can't believe it! I mean, judging by the last time Shinji and I did it, I have to be at least a month or two along. I just hope he can forgive me… I wonder if he knew Miki was in me? According to Fuuka, she's gone. I wonder how that'll play into things. I never knew she was there, but, somehow, I feel a little lonely knowing she's gone.

I smile and look up at the sky, then think better of it and look down. Miki's returned to the earth, after all. The other angels who are coming with me are still preparing, so I take a minute and whisper, "Thank you, Miki. For everything."

And, for a fleeting moment, I swear I could hear a girl's voice reply, "Anything for my big brother. Thanks for making him smile, Hammie."

My smile spreads wider and tears run down my cheeks. I raise an arm and wipe at them, my smile still there. A voice from behind me asks, "Are you alright, Hammie-chan?"

I turn to find Minato-kun—er, Minato-san—standing there. I nod. "Yeah. Just… Just pregnancy hormones."

He nods once and sets his head on my shoulder. "Are you sure you want this?"

I shoot him a flat look. "What? To raise my daughter with her father?"

He gives a chuckle. "I'm sorry. You know how I feel on the subject. I think I'll take it to be a blessing that you can love a vampire. Maybe you'll be the one to unite our species'."

I shrug. "Maybe. In the end, my daughter is still a vampire."

"I know." He pauses. "Hamuko-chan. I want to ask you something, but I don't want it to come out the wrong way."

I raise an eyebrow. "Hm?"

"Please promise me you won't get mad. I just want to know the answer."

"Okay. Fine. I promise."

He takes a deep breath before saying, "Supposing Shinjiro doesn't want to reunite with you, what will you do? You daughter is a vampire, but you're an angel."

I… I honestly didn't think of that. Now that I do, though, I guess… I mean, Shinji's lived a lot longer than I have. I can't even imagine how he'll react. I mean, for all I know, he could've had a family before. But… I'd like to think he'd never abandon his family, but… but if he doesn't want me in the equation… "I suppose I'd… I'd have to… abandon her to him."

"Hamuko…"

"I don't know the first thing about raising a vampire. I wouldn't know what to do. It… It would break my heart to let her go, but… but it'd be best for her."

He sets his hands on my shoulders and squeezes. "Don't go letting yourself think too hard on this. If his reactions tell me anything, he loves you more than his own life."

"But… Even after I left?"

He averts his eyes for a moment. "When… When you were injured, Shinjiro caught you. He could have easily held you and tried to heal you on his own, but he knew he didn't have the power. He let me take you here to be healed."

"Shinji did that…?"

He smiles softly. "He and I may not agree on much, but I do acknowledge that he's not stupid. He knew he and his allies didn't have the power to heal you. I owe him much for saving your life."

I reach out and hug him by instinct. "Thank you, big brother."

"Hamuko-chan, you know…"

I chuckle. "You'll always be my big brother. It just feels weird calling you 'grandpa.'"

He pulls me to him in a tighter hug and whispers in my hair, "I have a strong feeling that you won't be returning up here with me tonight."

"I love Shinji, but I love you, too."

He chuckles. "I love you, too, granddaughter." Then he looks up. "The elevator is ready. Let us go."

Shinjiro

"Shinji! Get out here!"

I'm still sprawled on my bed, staring at the ceiling. This isn't the first time Aki's banged on my door like that. "Shut up! I'm trying to sleep!" Maybe, if I fall asleep, I won't wake up and come back to this depressing reality.

"Shinji! Get your ass out here before I break your door!"

I sigh and roll over to face the wall, closing my eyes. Just go away… Please…

Mitsuru's low voice murmurs from behind the door, "The elevator's descending."

I jump up. "What?" Angels? Does that mean… Hamuko's back? Or… are they back to kill?

"Just get out here, Shinji!"

I sigh. Fine. I… I want to know. I roll out of bed and grab my jacket from the chair, pulling it over my shoulders and skipping a shirt. I pull my beanie on while reaching behind me, summoning my axe from the wall where I'd left it. Hey, I had a few anger fits. So sue me.

I walk out and follow Aki and Mitsuru as they turn for the door, both all set to go. It's been awhile since I showered. Gross. I pause. What if Hamuko's there? "You two go ahead, find out where it's coming down and do some surveillance. I think I need a shower."

They both nod, Aki more vigorously than Mitsuru. Geez… Did it ever occur to them that I might sneak out and shower while they're asleep? Granted, I did only bathe eight times during that month… But that's almost twice a week and vampires don't grease up as quick as humans, so it's not that bad…

Fine, fine… It is bad.

But the thing that really irks me is that Hamuko might see me looking like hell. I mean, I know she's hurt, but she did try to leave… after I pushed her away… but I don't want her to know I missed her that much, do I?

Fuck it.

It only takes me about twenty minutes—ten more than usual due to not washing regularly. Long hair sucks, okay?—and I'm ready to follow after Aki and Mitsuru. They've left, but their scent lingers in the air. I make quick work of their trail, half following the scent, half following the lights of the elevator in the sky. It's not a hard trail to follow.

I come up through the trees, following their scent. I must be close. The scent of angels is getting thicker. Wait, that scent…

Hamuko is here.

I freeze in my steps. Hamuko's… alive…

Then I'm running faster than ever before, dashing through the trees as if my life depended on it. I hope Aki and Mitsuru—that's right, I've been using her full name—have enough sense to lay low. I come up through the woods and, sure enough, the two of them are lying in wait. Aki turns to me from his place where he's watching the angels and says, "Shinji-"

I nod. "I know. She's there."

Mitsuru glances over at me briefly before saying, "Quite the relief."

"Yeah." I take a few steps forward, walking over to where the angels wait. "Let's greet our guests, eh?"

They nod simultaneously and we walk through the brush and, immediately, my eyes fall on Hamuko. She looks so different in all that white, but, Goddammit, she still looks beautiful. Then the figure beside her steps forward. Minato Arisato. Lovely.

He nods a greeting and extends his hand. As if I want to shake that. I keep my hands in my pockets and make no move to change that. He seems to figure it out and slowly retracts his hand. He gives a small smile and says, "I'm sure you have much to discuss with Hamuko-chan. I'll leave you alone to talk." He turns to the rest of his shit-pixies and calls out, "Feel free to wander. Keep your powers hidden from the humans and, most of all, do not attack a vampire, physically or not. If I find any of you do, I'll punish you myself."

Heh. This is new. I turn back to Aki and Mitsuru, silently giving them the same orders. And, in a flurry of feathers and the silent leaps of my friends, I'm standing alone with Hamuko. She has he back to me, he eyes watching the flow of the nearby river.

I take a deep breath and slowly walk up to stand beside her. This is going to be difficult. "You look different in white."

She still watches the water, but a smile crosses her lips. God, I want to kiss those lips. When did I become so weak? No, not weak. Different. Reliant. "I missed you, too, Shinji."

I stare ahead with her, silently waiting for her to speak again. Finally, she does, "I'm sorry, Shinji. About everything. Can you forgive me?"

I sigh. "Where do you want to start?"

"Um…" She raises a hand to scratch at her chin. "You pick. I have good news, great news, shocking news, and 'eh' news." She wobbles her hand side to side as she says 'eh,' giving it an exaggerated effect.

"What do you mean by 'eh'"—I mimic her hand motion— "news?"

"Well… I just don't know if it's good or bad to you."

Oh. I shrug. "I don't know where it falls, but let's start with your connection to Minato. Is he really your brother?"

She shakes her head back and forth. "No, he's not. I guess this ties into the 'good' news. You see, I'm Minato-san's granddaughter, but he raised me as his sister so I could have a semi-normal life. My grandmother was the mortal being that Miki was trapped inside of. Then, when my mother was born, Miki was passed to her. When I was born, Miki went to me."

I blink. I mean, by this point, I knew Miki was in her, so that wasn't really surprise. But Minato's her grandfather? "So, where are they now? Your parents and grandmother?"

Well, my mom and grandmother both died giving birth. My father—" A smile comes to her face as if remembering something fond. "—was one of the most important people in my childhood. He was one of the hosts to my master. His name is Theodore. He agreed with Minato to raise me without knowing about Miki. They didn't want me to somehow awaken her before she was ready. But… You knew Miki was in me, didn't you?"

I shrug. "You told me."

"But you didn't believe me."

Well, she has me there.

She smiles. "Something happened when I was injured, didn't it?"

H-how does she…? "What do you think happened?"

"I honestly don't know, other than she spoke to you."

Freeze up a little and look away before mumbling, "She… She told me she was going to heal you. She said she'd need the angels' help, though."

She nods slowly. "So, that's why you sent me with them. Minato-kun told me you let me go with them without much of a fight."

I give a snort, my mood spoiled by the way she says his name. Hmph.

"Shinji… There's still a lot more I have to tell you."

I raise my hands over my head in a stretch and turn slightly to her. "I'm listening."

"First, please, please don't hate Minato-kun."

Stop saying his name…

"I know he struck your family down while you were watching, but… There's more to it than that. You see, the angels were trying to help." She pauses and holds her hands up in a 'let me finish' kind of way and I snap my jaw closed. "The angels, my master in particular, discovered the summoning of Ragnarok one day. I don't fully understand the concept of it, but I'm sure you do. Apparently, it was summoned by an accident."

If she had been anyone other than Hamuko, I would've punched her for saying that. No one in my family would ever call on Ragnarok. But, of course, she is Hamuko.

"In an effort to help, the angels can down and tried to explain, but the vampires wouldn't have any of it. So they did what they had to do. They cast a massive sealing spell and locked each and every vampire inside of their own flesh, in the form of humans. Shinji," she whispers, slowly turning to take one of my hands in both of hers. "They're alive. Each and every one of your kin are alive. All the humans roaming about; they're your family and your people."

I can't even describe what I felt right then. It was something akin to what happens when you get wrapped up in an electrical cable and thrown in the ocean. I can't even think right now, let alone… I mean, my god… They're all alive… After six hundred years, they're alive…

"I know this is a lot, but there is more."

I snap over to look at her. "How can there be more?"

"Well… I mean, otherwise, the angels have promised that, as long as the vampires don't impede on the upper realm, then they'll stay out of the lower world's business. Your home is yours again." She smiles brightly. "And, if you and your family want, they're willing to have the elevator destroyed so we can't cross over ever again."

That sounds all well and good, but… "How will I see you, then?"

She bites the inside of her lip. "You've gotten the good and the great news, so I guess it's time to see how you handle the 'eh' news. Shinji." She turns to face me, her shoulders back and her head held high. "If you want me to, I'll become a vampire."

A small spark of hope lights up in my chest, but then sputters out like Aki when Mitsuru walks by in a towel. "You know as well as I do that something like that isn't possible."

She nods slowly. "Normally, yes, but because of Miki, I have vampire blood in my veins. It is possible for me."

I blink. Is she shittin' me? "You serious?"

She smiles and dips her chin once. "Yep! All I have to do is drink enough vampire blood for my body to recognize it. But… I mean… I'll…"

Huh? "Yeah?"

"I'll only go through with it if you want me to."

If I want her to? Well, shit! She knows the answer to something like that. But… is it fair of me to just pull her back? "Only if you want to stay."

"I want to stay if you want me to stay."

"Look, Hamuko, this is something you have to decide. I can't make you do anything like that unless you want to."

"Shinji, I decided that I'll do it if you want me to stay here with you. If you think you don't want me around anymore, then I'll go back. If you want me to stay here and, I don't know, get married, then I will."

G-get… married…? I mean, I guess it makes sense, but…

"Oh, and I'm pregnant."

Get married? And… And…

Wait.

Holy motherfucking son of a shit-pixie.

I… I… What? Hamuko? Pregnant?

Honestly, my brain is dead right now, so what I did next was beyond my control. I loop my left arm around her waist and raise my right wrist to my mouth, biting down to tear the flesh. I drop back to sit down—mostly from shock—and raise my bleeding wrist to her. God, if we're havin' a kid, then… No way in hell is she going back up to pixie-land.

She takes my arm in her hands and brings it closer, hesitating at first. Then she leans forward, diving in and drinking my blood. Well, shit… If I'd known it'd feel this good when she drank my blood, I would've had her do it a long time ago.

Hamuko

Shinji's blood… It was revolting at first, but, now, it tastes sweet. I don't know exactly how much I have to drink, but the more I do, the better it tastes. I'm guessing that's part of becoming a vampire. Shinji's reaction to finding out he's going to be a father was way different than I expected, but totally worth it.

Shinji's worth it.

From his foul mouth to his gruff exterior, he's worth it. Because, under all that, he's a sweet, loving guy. He loves his family and, whether he likes it or not, I'm a part of his family now.

I'm the mother of his child.

A long, long time passes where we just sit in silence, me on his lap and him with his arm around my waist. He hasn't moved since we sat down, except when I stopped drinking his blood and he automatically licked the wound to make it heal faster. I lean against him, holding his arm around me. I don't want this any other way.

I mean, it's ironic that we met on such bad terms. We went from wanting to kill each other to bonding in a way so much stronger than I ever thought possible. I raise his hand up and press a kiss to the junction between his thumb and forefinger. "Shinji?"

He barely makes a sound, but it's there. "Hm?"

"It's a girl."

"Sh-Shinji?"

We both turn automatically to see a young man with slicked back brown hair, walking with a woman with short blonde hair and a small boy with the brightest blue eyes I've ever seen. I look back at Shinji to see if he knows them, but he's just frozen. "R-Ryo…ji…"

The other man laughs and walks over to sit down near us, the woman following and pulling the boy into her lap. He smiles bright and says, "Shinji, you look as though you've seen a ghost."

He finally seems to snap into reality and shakes his head, ending up looking away from the family. "I… thought you were all dead. It's been six hundred years, brother."

I blink. So, this guy is one of Shinji's brothers? I smile and hold out my hand. "Hi, I'm Hamuko. You're Shinji's brother?"

Ryoji nods and takes my hand, shaking it before saying, "I'm Ryoji Mochizuki, Shinji's big brother. This is my wife, Aigis," The woman nods and gives a small smile, "And our son, Pharos."

I shake both of their hands and frown, looking at Shinji to see he hadn't moved. "Um, you'll have to forgive Shinji. A lot's happened today. Like he said, it's been six hundred years since the war."

Ryoji just seems to comprehend this and stares, dumbfounded. "Six hundred-? I had no idea… The last thing I remember is fighting in the war, and then waking up today."

"Heeey! Shinji! Ryoji!"

All of us look up to see another man walk up, this one wearing a ballcap and sporting a goatee. Walking with him was a woman with cherry-red hair and small smile.

Ryoji smiles. "Well, if it isn't little Junpei! Glad you could join us!"

"Yep!" The guy with the hat grins. "Mom, Dad, and Ken are coming."

I swear, more and more faces kept showing up, including a man with an eyepatch who approached Mitsuru. Apparently, he's her father. I think I heard something from Akihiko about 'asking for her hand,' but it might've been my imagination. No matter how many people showed up or who showed up, Shinji just sat there with that same dumb look on his face.

I reach up, gently touching his cheek, and whisper, "Shinji? Are you okay?"

Before I know it, he's falling backwards and hitting the grass. "Shinji?" He… He passed out…

I guess I can't really blame him, after everything that happened today. I just give a laugh and lay down next to him, staring at the sky and taking a deep breath.

This is the first step to my new life.

Shinjiro

Ten years later

Damn… What a hell ride. It's been ten years since the other vampires awoke. Hamuko and I wasted no time in getting hitched and moving into a manor that belonged to one of the humans. The rest of my family's relatively nearby. I lie back on the huge bed I share with Hamuko, just thinking. Apparently, Aki and Mitsuru really did hook up quite awhile ago and just weren't telling me. So, now that Mitsy's old man is back and Aki could ask for her like a good boy, they're all shacked up.

About a year after everyone came back, Hamuko gave birth to our healthy baby girl. The little thing grew up fast. She looks like her mother, but she seems to take after me.

"Ow! Son-of-a-bitch-bastard!"

I stand up and speedwalk to the hall to find my little girl at the top of the stairs, holding the toes of her right foot. She stubbed her toes.

"Dammit! That hurt!"

I smirk internally. Yep. She's my kid, alright. I bend down to her level, picking her up under her arms and heaving her over my shoulder. "Mikaai… You know better than to cuss like that."

Hamuko comes up the stairs just then, having come after hearing Mikaai curse. The smaller of my two pains grumbles, "But Daddy says those things!"

My wife smiles and walks around behind me to talk to her. "Yes, Ai-chan, but your daddy's old. He's earned the right to talk like that."

"But-!"

I smirk and jostle her. "Yeah, you heard your mother. I'm old. You can't even count to the number of years I've been around."

She pouts. "I can count to more than my age!"

"I know you can, Ai-chan, but that's not enough to swear like Daddy. Actually," She pauses. "There really isn't an excuse for swearing like Daddy."

I shrug, jostling Mikaai again. We both agreed on that name for her. Or, rather, we both wanted her to be named after Miki. Hamuko came up with Mikaai as a combination of her name and 'ai,' the Japanese word for 'love.' I agreed. Why not? I love my little sister, so it worked for me.

It's kinda funny. Just a few years—a fraction of my life—and I've changed so much. Even, say, twenty years ago, ten before I met Hamuko, Aki and Mitsuru would've run for the hills if I told them I was going to have a kid. Yeah, Mikaai's a hassle, but she's a good hassle. She keeps me on my guard.

Especially when she gets to see her Uncle Junpei.

That guy has a sick sense of humor. God, the thoughts he's feeding to my daughter. I just shrug it off and tell him to wait until he and Chidori have a kid. Then they'll get theirs.

But, for now, I'm pretty damn content with my life. I have the two best girls in the world and I wouldn't trade 'em for nothing. All in all, those first thousand and seventy-eight years were worth it to lead up to these past ten. It's like Ryoji told me long ago; "You never realize how much you love life until you give it to someone else."

Damn bastard was right.

Hamuko

Hehe! I always giggle at the ending. Our story is a tough one, but we pulled through in the end! Love triumphs over everything! Everyone should be so lucky to get a happy end like us!

Please review!

-Valk