こんにちは、みんな様
Thank you for continuing to stay with me for this story. I wanted to, before you read ahead, reply to some reviews and private messages I graciously received.
"Why did you make Sakura 13 years old?"
Simply, content. If I made her older, I felt that the story would've progressed too quickly. This way, it's slower, more plot focused rather than immediately romantic, yet. I also wanted the option to emphasize her growth and development. Once I have established a bond between the two, I plan to skip a few years to carry on with the romance aspect. There's also a level of innocence, I think, within her is essential to the story. If an adult Sakura stumbled upon a suffering yet dangerous creature, I think she would've done the smart thing rather than the more emotionally driven thing of attempting to save him, which probably would've been killing him to put him out of his misery. I hope that makes sense.
"You spelt 'Vial' wrong!"
I'm so embarrassed. Thank you for pointing it out, as I most definitely would've continued to make that same mistake going forward! My english has definitely been neglected in recent months. Please do not be afraid, continuing, to correct me if I misspell another word. I truly do appreciate it! It gives me something to laugh about. Please, also, forgive these silly mistakes of mine if they arise again.
On with the chapter!
"What a strange thing!
to be alive
beneath cherry blossoms."
― Kobayashi Issa
She stood inside of the large home again, this time, with her broomstick in hand. After hearing the heavy close of the doors behind her, she paused in the nearing silence. The sound echoed just slightly, emphasizing the empty space beyond her. "I'm back," She announced with a strange voice, knowing that this time, he surely heard her. The girl's eyes immediately looked towards the top of the staircase, this time unsure if he was truly there or not.
Sakura never took time to fully inspect and explore this huge place, she only went up to his room, and out. She knew there was a garden in the back, but only because it was visible on the walk towards the entrance. If she had suddenly the need to go in search of him, she doubted she'd be able to find him without exhausting herself of her magical prowess.
With a little hum, she glanced down at the vial in her hand. Would it be too impolite to set the vial down and simply leave? Surely, that'd be the safest thing to do. Run while you still can, so to say. Her personal thoughts and preferences, though, weren't exactly concerned with what was the most logical and safe route. After a month of seeing him everyday, it became comfortable. Routine.
Granted, him waking up seemed to have broken this nice little routine of hers. Why was this so much of a surprise to her? This was the goal, afterall, to nurse him to a state of capability; a state of proper living, but now, she was fearful of the encounter. Now, it felt a bit embarrassing - waltzing into someone's chambers when the other is able to be aware of it. Before, this manor felt like uncharted territory with no one to claim it. Now, that the man was awake, this area was no longer desolate.
"What am I doing?" She felt her ears rise with shameful heat, "I should at least knock now-"
"That's what a civilized pest would do."
Sakura's entire body became rigid as she quickly looked over her shoulder at her sudden company. His voice was just as gruff as it was before, and hostile. It looked as if he was looming over her, but she realized it was mainly due to his posture being weak and slouched. He was still tall, though, even when hunched over some.
His eyes. The girl found herself subconsciously staring, for many moments too long, near hypnotized by the Onyx abyss glaring down at her with the same blazing hunger as before. He was close. Threateningly close. As if he was just moments away from attacking; from sinking his beastly teeth into her windpipe. At such a violent thought, she swallowed.
The vampire sighed in cold annoyance before stepping past her to sluggishly carry himself up the tower of stairs ahead. The girl followed, a feeling of desperation swelling in her chest. It hurt.
"I can help," Sakura frowned, "In your current state, you won't be able to make it to your room without over exhausting yourself. Here, I-I brought you some more medicine! It'll help, just like before-" Her little frame bumped into his as she had been looking down to open the vial while maneuvering the shaft of the broomstick under her arm. The man had stopped on the staircase, "You'll feel better." She tried.
"I will not feel better."
"I charmed it myself, you'll-"
"I will not feel better." He repeated, this time turning to glare at her from the corner of his eye. His increasingly hostile tone silenced Sakura, feeling like if she spoke another word, he'd surely silence her himself.
She could've sworn that she saw a spark of red in those eyes.
She watched him, frozen in place, as the Vampire made his way back up the stairs, slamming the door. The sound echoed.
Her presence had been rejected, and her skills left unacknowledged and certainly not appreciated.
Sakura had a hard time swallowing that.
Was he not impressed by her skill? At her age, even? Did he really not take notice to her apparent persistence, every day for an entire month, for healing?
She wanted to be mad. Maybe she was, a little, but she was mostly wounded. Proper hurt.
Though, what had she really expected anyway? A pat on the head? A bouquet of flowers, a walk to the door, waving as she went on her merry way? No, she didn't expect any of that, and she certainly didn't expect his hostility. She didn't expect a 'thank you', she wasn't even sure she wanted one.
She wanted certain words of notice. She wanted to know that he knew how capable of a witch she was.
Though, again, she didn't know why. Whom was he to her, anyway? No one. A stranger. Why did she, in her subconscious, seek his approval?
These thoughts and more bore into her mind as she sat near the entrance to his room, against the wall, knees tightly hugged to her chest. The vial and her broomstick were tucked beside her. She was like a little puppy waiting for attention, and she felt stupid for it.
She felt stupid that she wanted his notice so badly. Stupid that she felt so harmed by his rejection. Stupid that she couldn't think rationally and just walk away, but instead seemed to prefer waiting. At least, this way, she could say that she didn't give up. She felt stupid for thinking that.
She felt like a stupid child, not a dignified witch of thirteen years old.
A stupid child who was too overly attached to this monsterous person, a monsterous person who could very easily (and possibly, very soon) kill her without a second thought.
How long had she been sitting here pouting anyway? An hour? Probably closer to two.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
"Stu-pid."
Her body went rigid as she snapped her head up in reflex, wide emerald eyes meeting onyx as she observed the man crouched down in front of her. He was balancing on the fronts of his feet, elbows meeting his knees as he tilted his head boredly, looking at the witch with quizzically narrowed eyes. She had been too focused on herself earlier, and apparently didn't even notice his bedroom door open.
Stupidly unguarded.
"You haven't left yet." It was a statement rather than a question, his tone lightly incredulous. Though, he didn't sound impressed, rather taken aback by her idiocy.
"...Because you didn't take your medicine." She responded back.
"I didn't take my medicine," He repeated her words back slowly, keeping his eyes narrowed. "That's not medicine. It's food. You're trying to feed me."
The girl didn't respond immediately. She didn't like thinking of this that way, even though that was the situation in all simplicity. Calling it 'medicine' was her way of separating herself from the contents of the vial. That wasn't her blood, but rather his medicine. It sounded less grotesque. He kept his head tilted as he continued to watch her expression.
"I'm trying to help you..." Sakura said, averting her eyes down. She realized how naïve that must've sounded as soon as the words passed her lips.
"What makes you think that you're helping me?" The man asked, almost completely monotone. The questioned surprised the girl, who's eyebrows came together in confusion. What did he mean? Of course she was helping. He was better now. He could walk now. Finally, he woke up. Before the girl could reply, he continued, as if he could read her thoughts, "Just because I'm responsive?"
"Is that… not true?" Sakura asked, "Is there something else I should be doing to help you?"
"How old are you?"
"Th-Thirteen," Her cheeks reddened slightly. She was trying to say that number with more pride, perhaps to get some sort of compliment out of the other. "By the way, that means, for a witch, I am-"
"Magically mature, yes, I am aware," His onyx eyes rested on the vial and broomstick next to her, "Unfortunately for you, your magical ability is irrelevant when it comes to feeding."
"That's not true! As I said before, I charmed it myse-"
"Why did you bring your broomstick?"
Sakura huffed irritably. For someone who had not wanted to talk at all before, he sure was talking a lot now. Maybe it was because he hadn't for so long. Though, she noticed, his tone was surprisingly much more gentle and composed than before. "It allows me to fly."
"I know it's purpose." He tilted his head again. He almost looked amused, which surprised the girl. She started staring again, "You're at least decently intelligent."
"W-what's that supposed to mean?"
The vampire reached out towards the girl, which made her flinch and instinctively lean away from his touch. He took her by her forearm, forcing her to a stance. His hand still looked bony and dry, it made her chest hurt. "You came here during the daytime, with your broomstick. Clearly, you were already thinking of an escape tactic, incase if I tried to devour you." He stood up. "You were going to get outside as quick as you could, knowing that in my condition, I wouldn't be able to stand in direct sunlight for long. You seem to understand danger well enough."
"I-I do..."
"Then leave." He let go of her, pointing his chin towards the staircase, directing her to exit. "Leave."
Sakura's frustration was welling up inside of her. If there was an emotion she was terrible at controlling, it was frustration, and it always physically translated into tears swelling into her eyes. He wasn't listening to a word she said. Not a single thing. The malnourished vampire looked down at her, showing no reaction to her tears. He simply coldly stared as she bent down to grab her broomstick, purposely leaving the vial where it was.
"I'm coming back tomorrow." She said, matter-of-factly. "You need my help."
He glared at her, "I don't-"
"You need my help!" She shouted, her knuckles whitening around the shaft of the broomstick. "You were just laying there, starving! You weren't restrained or locked somewhere, every door was open! For decades, you were rotting away! But you chose it! You were just laying there!" Sakura stared down at the floor below her, unable to bring her eyes up to face him. "I know you don't want my help, I know that! But I- I don't care! I'm going to try anyway! I'm coming back tomorrow!"
The girl didn't pause or give the other a moment to respond, she simply stomped past him. At the bottom of the tower of stairs, her hand still tightly gripping her broom, she yelled over her shoulder: "-And my name is Sakura, by the way!"
"You're loud..."
Thank you for staying with me again for this update. I'm becoming more and more excited and motivated with this project.
I was writing between projects and classes, so if it's a little choppy, please excuse it!
I read every one of your reviews, so please, send me your thoughts and ideas.
(人´∀`)ありがとー