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RIMA

Chapter 29: Bare

Temperature was never a problem for a being like me.

But even as I was led through darkness that was only illuminated by a small torch of fire held by one of the male hunters, I felt chills run through my body.

In the end Shiki, my love had come to try and save me.

he had fought and even though it was too late, even though I was being led to a place where surly I would be put to death for once and for all, I couldn't help but pray that he was okay.

That he was still alive.

The memory of him was the only thing that was certain in my mind, that would stop me from doing anything crazy.

But the truth was, that I was still too weak to have done anything even if I had wanted to.

I hated it.

I hated my weakness, hated that not a single wave of electricity could be summoned.

And I was starting to feel exhausted and knew that I would need more of kaname's blood.

"keep moving," came the cold voice of one of the vampire hunters, a female one, as she pushed me forward.

"Easy with her Clair, she's still very weak," said another one, the one holding the fire torch when he turned to face us.

I heard a small annoyed noise come from the back of Clairs throat. "Doesn't make them any less disgusting," she muttered looking away from us.

Before anyone had a chance to say anything else I fell to my knees pretending to be out of energy and needing blood, though in the current state I was in, I didn't really need to pretend.

I brought my hand to my throat and they automtically knew what that meant. I heard some of their weapons being drawn at me.

The whole time Kiryu said nothing.

"Calm down, she's weak I said already dammit," the one with the torch said looking down at me. I watched as he gave the group a restless look before handing Kiryu the make shift light, turning his hair from red pink to a browner one.

"Hold this," he grunted as he took off his long black trench coat. He bent down beside me and gently laid the soft fabric over me before he carried me up into his arms.

"Better?" he asked with a small smile on his face.

I was speechless at his kindness and only nodded my head.

"What are you doing? She's one of them!" came the annoyed cry of Clair.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"She's weak, she needs help," responded my savior.

"So she'll die, big deal! Have you forgotten what her kind has done to us?" she went on in the same voice.

"She can not be held responsible for her kinds wrong doings," he answered staring her in the eye.

"She's still one of them! She's -"

"She's a fragile female before me. I can do nothing but help her."

His tone was low and serious and full of conviction. Clair didn't say anything to that and looked at the ground instead biting her bottom lip.

I wanted to laugh or at least smirk at her.

"Very well than, Zero if you'll lead the way," he instructed as he turned to face ahead.

Once again in the small pathway somewhere underground we continued to make our way. I couldn't hide the growing feeling of feeling safe in the arms of the kind hunter.

Maybe there was some hope after all.

A while later I wasn't surprised to see that we had one way or another arrived at the Hunters Headquarters. All over the building there were countless hunters all around keeping watch.

It almost seemed like they were ready for war I thought and than realized, they were.

Everyone turned to watch us approach, to see they had the hostage they wanted. Watching them glare at me with malice took the safe feeling I had and my fingers involuntary gripped his shirt.

He seemed to sense my trouble and held me the tiniest bit closer, almost as if to let me know it was all going to be okay.

"Ah, Zero-kun, what a great job you've done! I'm so proud of you!"

Through the crowd of hunters emerged the silver haired, fan waving president.

Though he was covering his mouth with his pink fan, the malice was clear in his eyes as he looked at me.

"There's our little vampire sheep," he said walking closer to me.

"Don't take it personal my dear, but you just happen to be very important, very valuable collateral," he added. I didn't want him to see how I was really feeling so I put on a blank expression.

After a moment he waved his fan in the direction behind him to the hunters headquarters, "Show our guest of honor her cell will you Hirato-kun?"

Instead of being followed by other hunters, they just watched and I was relieved.

"Ne hero-san, Will he kill me by tonight or will he wait until tomorrw?" I asked pressing my face into his chest, wishing it were Shiki's familiar one.

"What are you talking about? A lady shouldn't talk of such things," he answered lightly.

"I already know why he wants me here. Tell me the truth, please," I added.

He stayed quiet for a minute before speaking, "He wants to celebrate this victory with a feast that includes all hunters. He thinks that by killing you he will have somehow won against the vampires, so to speak," he slowly explained. I noted the way in which he had said victory, making it seem like almost a joke to him.

"You don't think its a victory?" I asked as we entered a dark hall way void of any hunters.

"Taking a vampire in such a weak state to have her killed, I'd hardly ever call that a victory," he scoffed in a serious tone.

"You should be alright for tonight though, the feast is-" he cut off but already I knew what he was going to say.

"The feast is going to be after they kill me, right?" I asked in almost a monotone like voice.

I took his silence as a yes as he decended some stairs that led to underground cells.

"It's disgusting to be honest," he said.

"Not all vampires are evil, I know that very well. But to kill you just to feel some upper hand against the vampires...,"

It was clear where he stood and it made me wonder why it was he choose to be a vampire hunter.

"wait right here," he instructed as he placed me on my two feet again. I watched his figure disappear through a door.

Looking around I knew that this was where I was to be held up until my very death. It was cold, damp, and very isolated, perfect for a prisoner.

"This is the best I can do, I'm sorry," he explained coming back into view.

He was holding a futon slung against his shoulder and a large dark colored blanket in his other arm.

I only managed a small nod.

Without saying anything else, he opened a metal cell door and laid the contents down neatly on the cold stone dark floor.

When he was finished I stepped inside the cell and starting to feel more tired than I already was, I went to sit on the futon. Once inside Hirato closed the door and reaching for the very top corner, began to lock the door into place.

After he was done with the locks, from the other side of the door he knelt down towards me. He smiled a small smile at me, a smile that said he was sorry for everything I was going through. It was a warm smile but I couldn't return it.

As I watched him walk away, uncertain this time when he would be back again I thought about the only being who truly mattered to me.

"Ne, Shiki, I'm scared..." I whispered, hugging my knees to my chest nd burying my face.

~End of a sweet dream, but I'll show you another one~