100 One Shot challenge!
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime just using the characters for entertainment purposes.
Title: Red Riding Hood
Summary: Werewolves are lurking around at night killing people.
Takumi's village is in the toast.
He will discover something that will save the village and give color to his life.
Genre: Parody/Adventure/Dark/Romance
Word Count: 4,359
Story no.: 18
NOTE: I know it's a bad summary. I'm really crazy it's quite long. It's rated M by the way
I don't know exactly what drove me to this point. Maybe the fact that I don't have any family member left "I'm sorry" said the little girl who bumped in to me. I just smiled and watched her retreating form, catching up to her parents. The people in my village are panicking again because it's nearly night time. In my way home I saw the pack of soldiers injured because of the werewolves that have been lurking around at night killing people. So it's strictly forbidden for us to go out at night. But our people are such proud persons they refuse to be held by anyone. They can't take the fact that werewolves are more powerful than humans or maybe they just can't take the thought of their family as the next meal of those werewolves.
According to Shiho that is the daughter of our leader long ago werewolves never bothered us before. Werewolves and the people in our village catch food without bothering each other they don't attack us too even at night. They let us do our deeds. Truth to be told I don't know what of the following ideas will crush us. The fact that werewolves wanted to annihilate us or the fact that because of the fear that the werewolves are doing to my village we are undergoing a famine now, most of our crops are best harvesting at night you get the picture. It's either you'll get food and be killed by werewolves or you stay at home and you starve. There's no best option. We don't expect a nearby village giving us a hand too because they are afraid of the werewolves lurking around. I love reading books I literally live in the book chamber of our leader. No one really likes books here it's just me and viola a job and a home for me. All I have to do is ensure the safety of the books and I can read all I want and they bring me necessities too. But the best thing of all is that I can read all I want. Maybe I really don't like books maybe I am just using them to escape loneliness of being left alone. It's really not my thing telling other people why my parents died or what happened to my sister, truth to be told I'd rather smile when people ask and walk away. My life isn't colorful but not as painful as people think my life is. I closed the novel that I've been reading two days straight it's called The Rainbow Mist. I'm not really sure if it's fiction or not. I don't know what's the matter with me I'm not in the mood, my hunch is telling me that something's going to happen. I don't know what but I just sigh and closed my eyes. I am through thinking of these things. I am tired and I want to sleep it's all that matters. I blew the lamp and drifted to a hopefully long slumber.
I opened my eyes then I realized that it was still dark. I scratched the back of my head scrawling because I woke up so early. I forced myself to close my eyes, to get some more sleep. After a few minutes I gave up and decided to eat my breakfast. Luckily I don't have to cook anymore because I didn't eat my dinner yesterday it would be troublesome to start a fire outside because it's too cold and I don't know why I'm just so tired.
I am having a headache right now because of all the reading. I didn't see the big book and tripped on it making me bump with the bookshelf at my right. I groaned in pain and cursed my luck. When I opened my eyes I blink several times to ensure that what I'm seeing is not an illusion. I found another bookshelf behind the bookshelf I knocked down. It was relatively small compared to the others but my gut is telling me that the information or the book I needed is in this particular shelf. I coughed several times because of the dusts. It felt like I am eyeing a new toy as much as I wanted to read the books quickly as possible my stomach disagrees so I decided to head out first to grab something. I don't care what just something that'll perform its duty and keep me going. This is going to be a hard day. I grabbed the mop and cleaned a little aside from knowing the books it's my work to keep it clean too. I can't wait to find the solution.
The books in the bookshelves are pretty interesting. There's a book of witch crafts, how to kill a witch pretty gruesome or rather very interesting stuffs and random. I don't really how should I feel in this weird stuffs, well I'm strange because I liked reading all day all night but these books are beyond anyone's imagination. As I sigh seeing a book of ways how to make someone fall in love with you. It's pretty creepy if you ask me but I'm sure Shiho would want to get her hands on these kinds of books to make Tate respond to her advances. There was a silver book almost gray if you ask me. Its contents were full of strange drawings of dogs. When something clicked on my mind how could I mistaken werewolves for dogs! I grabbed the silver book that I almost threw to who knows where. I saw pretty gruesome stuffs like how they evolved. It is said that once the vampires are dominating almost all of the countries, tribes and islands because of all the mystical creatures like mermaids, fairies, goblins they were the most bold the ones who have the strong desire of power that's why they took for granted to spread their venoms. Making newborn vampires here and there, they were unstoppable. Then there was a witch she lived for decades. She lived normally in a small town near a rain forest. I am starting to wonder the connection of the said witch and vampires with the werewolves but I intend to know after all I'm a curious one.
Continuing the story the witch fell in love with a traveling poet who like to write about the places he visited. The witch was too fascinated about his stories and how he speaks so she let him stay in her home having him fell for the witch too. The witch was very happy with him in her life so she was willing to sacrifice half of her powers so that he could be immortal like her. But fate wasn't on their side. The witch waited for her lover to come home. It's nearly night time but he's not home yet being very worried she intends to follow him only to find the vampires sucking his life out. The vampires sensing the witch they flew away. The witch couldn't believe what happened they were supposed to spend eternity together but he left her all alone. The witch promised to her lover's dead body that she will have revenge for ruining their happiness. Feeding something for her guard dogs, the dogs who were now werewolves ate the witch's heart. The witch drew her heart out and gave them an equal share for the werewolves to feel her pain. She could still remember the pain because of the memories and love but there's no way the pain will heal and her love will subside because her heart was drawn out. When the night strikes just like the time of the night when her lover was killed the werewolves go berserk killing everyone in sight that is why werewolves are the natural enemies of vampires after all they were made to kill vampires.
I don't know what to feel towards the story that I read and I don't know how these will help our village to stand up once again but why is that the werewolves are attacking our village? Why the werewolves are attacking our village wanting to annihilate us? I must tell this to our leader maybe he could think of something to find the witch. Clearly she's the key to all of this mess. The vampires are almost extinct, they are so rare nowadays. I mean it's just like they do not exist anymore, like a legend.
Our leader was attacked. I am just going to his home when I heard the news. Then I overheard them talking about how we will all die at this point. The bad thoughts and loss of hope was all I could hear from them but how about the ideas, solutions from them yes this village now we need our leader right now but this village needs its people too. I was welcomed warmly by the leader's wife and daughter who was my friend. I stared at our leader's scarred face. I didn't beat around the bush and told the leader what I knew and presented him the book. His unconcerned and dazed face was replaced with hope and determination I smiled because somehow I prided myself that I could give help even just this once that my work and worth in this village was more than being "a guy with the books".
"You are really a smart guy Takumi it's the right choice that I kept you close" our leader patted my head. He grabbed his silver glasses. He stands up and grabbed his robe leading me to his desk. I looked up to him questioningly wondering if I could leave. "All the elders of this village wanted to leave" he started. "They do not believe that this village has any hope. Those old farts are suggesting that we must bait the remaining people here and flee. Right then and there I knew I couldn't trust them anymore that's why you must help me to formulate a plan" I nodded understanding the situation, somehow I'm not really surprised that the elders of this village dare to suggest those things. "Now tell me what you know" I told him the history of the werewolves, the witch and the vampires. He listened and urged me to carry on when I paused he didn't comment he seemed to be thinking something I couldn't decipher but I must have faith on him. He is not the leader for nothing. When I finished telling him all I read from the thick silver book we went quiet for a while. "This witch is the key" it's not a question it's a statement. "I think so too" I agreed "but how do we find this witch? I presume she's really old and weak although she's immortal" I asked.
The leader licked his lips. "I know where the witch was. I must have known from the start that my grandfather's tale was true" I stared at the leader wanting him to tell me more. "Takumi do me a favor, summon Tate here at once" I blinked but didn't say anything.
"Tate do you love this village?" the leader asked keeping his calm but gently face as he talked to his general. "Yes I really do" he asked without blinking. "Do you know what's behind the great wall of the east end of this village?"I looked at the leader too wondering what the connection of the wall is all of a sudden but now that he mentions it I wonder why it's blocked anyway. "Long ago as Takumi read in the book it's a witch's doing that gave birth to werewolves bearing her undying hatred to the vampires. But how could we have missed that the solution is just beyond our walls" My eyes widened couldn't be the witch we are talking about is residing in this very village? "I want you to seduce the witch you may not live anymore but she wouldn't suspect a thing because we are the only village who's being attacked by the werewolves and I suspect she longs for her lover if she found out the similarities…" our leader's mouth tightened because he knew he is asking for something unreasonable. "I understand" Tate said. I closed my eyes why do I have to witness this? Is this guilt that I am feeling? What would Shiho say to me or feel? I know that once Tate was gone she will come to me what will I say to my best friend? "I beg your pardon but can you hear how ridiculous that sounds how could an old witch like her be tricked or seduced?" Two eyes looked at me "No matter how hard someone or powerful without love he/she is sure to fall apart, slowly but surely" I grew quiet because of that maybe it's not the solution that I have been thinking but it does make sense."How could he pretend to be the witch's lover?" I asked wanting this to stop in that instant. "I will give him a red cloak that the witch's lover was known and tools for writing" I didn't let him finish "He would be busted and found out when that happens we couldn't send any others anymore" Tate's eyes looked at me accusingly I looked at him "Do you even like to read or write?" as if answering his question. "I can barely read" he answered timidly. "So what do you suggest?"Our leader asked me and I didn't hesitate to answer
There wasn't any sense of fear in my voice "I'll go instead of Tate. I read all day and I'm sure the witch would like to hear the adventures I have read just like his lover explored the world. I don't have any family and I'm the perfect give away even though I'm weak and didn't have any fighting skills" The leader didn't say anything "Very well. Tate no one must know about this. Takumi be here before the sun strikes up it's safe you must know the werewolves are not really active when it's not full moon" I nodded and both of us were dismissed.
I wore the red cloak and traveled as fast as I could I get a hard time passing the wall but with the help of Tate and our leader I managed to. I walked finding the little house. I wonder how the witch will kill me but I wouldn't like to regret volunteering for this. As I walked further inside the tropical rainforest the view is becoming more and more beautiful unexposed to anything I am so famished with what I am seeing that I didn't notice the branch and fell flat to my face I heard someone above me I looked up to see who and I saw a small girl just around my age with a green long hair. When she got down, looking at me with a frown "What are you doing in my forest? You don't seem to be a warrior sent here to kill me" I blinked. "Who are you?" I asked politely. The greenette glared at me. I just laughed and introduced myself. "I am Takumi Tokiha I'm a traveling writer. I'm sorry I invaded your forest without your permission" I told her while looking in to her sad magenta eyes. Her expression is unreadable "What is your name?" I asked ignoring her attitude towards me. "Leave here at once when I caught you around again I won't hesitate to kill you" I blinked then she was gone leaving me dazed by her I wonder what a girl like her is doing in this forest. It's dangerous enough for me to be here more likely to a girl like her I wonder where the witch's house is. Two days of exploring the rainforest I came across of a house finally! I dusted my red cloak and gripped on my things for a dead man like me I'm quite eager. My hands are sweating in fear of death; surprisingly it's not like in the stories where the main character which I assume is me goes in to a dark and old house of a witch. I must say the witch has a good taste of keeping everything in shape. The house doesn't look like 5 decades old. At the back of my mind I really can't accept this house as the witch's house maybe it is the house of the green haired girl I encountered two days ago.
I am standing in to the door as if waiting for it to magically open up for me after a few minutes (30 minutes) of convincing myself it's not going to open by itself I knocked. It was a polite knock. Prim, it's not loud or someone like picking up a fight. After waiting again for a several minutes I knocked again. This time a little louder than the first because I noted the witch is old so maybe her hearing is not that strong. I mean what you expect from someone who lived since forever. I kinda lost my patience and invited myself in taking a note that the door wasn't even locked. The next thing happened is totally unexpected. When I entered the premises of the unknown owner of the house but when I scanned the area I could clearly tell by the random bottles and books everywhere just who is the owner of the house is. Clearly it's the witch's so I am having myself mentally ready for anything crazy that'll happen.
Someone suddenly tackled me on the ground. I grunted in pain I could tell that the one who tackled me is a girl by her curves which I could clearly tell because her tiny body is pressed in to mine. "You came back!" she said touching my face. Now I can clearly see her now. It's the green haired girl I met in the forest. "Huh?" is all I could say when she kissed me hard her body grinding in to mine. I am feeling hot and I mean it literally. I could taste the alcohol on her tongue I tried to stop her from kissing me but she's strong and well… I kinda gave up and kissed back. But taking advantage of this girl is wrong especially when she's in the influence of alcohol. I gently pushed her away holding her slender neck. She closed her eyes upon the contact and stared at me with a tender smile. "You really love that red cloak!" she laughed and caressed my cloak gently. "I really hate red but this is the first time I've ever long for something red and that is your cloak" she whispered. The girl continued to touch me like I'm a delicate flower I practically see her cleavage in our position once again I tried to sit up only to be terribly stopped by her.
"Stop this" said I, fighting the urge to give in I'm not even sure if she knows I'm getting turned on. "I'll making you immortal so shut the fuck up! I don't want to be alone anymore…"my eyes widened "You can do that?" I asked. "Of course I am a 500 year old witch what do you expect?"My mouth went dry she's the witch I didn't expect the witch to be like this she seems so innocent and kinda cute if you ask me. I am absolutely attracted to her. Her touches burn in my skin; she touched my ears, eyes, eyelashes etc. and asks me which I decided to answer for her to calm down. She inhaled my scent. "You smell like you…" as she embrace me tight whoever she mistakes me to I suddenly wanted to be him to be hugged like this is all I ever wanted, to be loved. This girl looks so tough but her soft side is to die for I must say. "You know now that I stare at your eyes they were quite different" she said kissing my eyes. "Have they gotten bigger?" I didn't know what to do so I lied as an impulse. "Yes…" saying yes doesn't seem quite right so I knitted an excuse I could think. I stared at her eyes getting lost. I fought harshly with my mind and heart. The mission and the chance for … "What's your name?" I asked quietly looking at her deep magenta orbs.
She hiccupped "You have already forgotten?" she whined sounding really hurt "Akira! it means crystal you are the one who named me because you said being called 'the witch' is inappropriate. Don't you remember?!"My eyes widened and forced a smile."Now! Tell me why your eyes are like that! They changed!" she whined. "They have gotten bigger so that even if there is a mountain or ocean between us I could always see you" I said touching her cheeks. I couldn't tell if she's getting red because she's drunk or she's getting red with me touching her. "Did I ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever laid my eyes upon?" I asked her. She laughed "Yes that's why you named me Akira! Don't you ever disappear on me again I'm so miserable and lonely without you" Akira then touched my ears. "Ne your ears are different. They are bigger and your ear lobes are definitely smaller!" I removed her hands from my ears and transferred it to my face. "I wanted to hear you whenever you cry or when you need my help. Because I would be damned if anything happens to you" I said gently to her. We are at the floor cuddling as we stare at each other I have decided that I want her for myself seeing that she's quite really drunk I took advantage of that. It's my first time wanting something this badly my heart ached by the thought when she snapped out of it she'll kill me or getting back in the village.
"I love you" she whispered to my ear. "It's almost 400 years" I started her attention and eyes are on me now. "I am quite not the same. You're just drunk that's why you don't get it. You don't love me" I said quietly. "Even though my heart was drawn out I could never forget you" she's drawing circles to my chest. "Can you still get your heart back? I'm afraid that you'll never be accustomed of loving me" I asked this may be very well the solution for the village but I know deep inside me I just wanted to be sure that I have a chance. "Are you that afraid? If I go get my heart back our avengers would disappear too" she asked me kissing me once again when I broke the kiss I answered. "I am that afraid of losing you" I could see the resolve on her eyes. "But the vampires must pay for separating us" Is this really true? Is this really happening all of this must be a dream, A good dream "It's all in the past what's important is our love and not the vengeance. After all your gonna make me immortal right?" she smiled and nodded. It was a foolish smile like a kid receiving her very first present. She touched my forehead and held my hand she chanted some spell and I fell asleep.
When I woke up I'm still lying on the floor I feel different then I saw a transmutation circle on my wrists. I heard the werewolves growl. I don't know if it's on pain or what. Sitting up I saw Akira outside my eyes widened I saw her touching the forehead of each werewolves lined up for her. Disappearing in to dusts one by one then I could clearly see that Akira's chest was literally palpitating. After the werewolves disappear completely Akira clutched her chest grunting in pain. I run to her seeing if she's okay she smiled to me and lost consciousness. I carried her inside and tucked her in to her bed. I observed her every movement I lay beside her, after hours and hours of waiting I could see her struggling to open her eyes. She's not drunk anymore so I'm quite nervous. Her hand reached for my nose and pinched it. "You know your nose is kind of different they are not soft anymore and it's kind of aristocrat if you ask me" she said obviously tired. "It's like that so that I could smell you better" I inhaled her sweet scent she hit my forehead playfully. "You are so cheesy! Aren't you embarrassed saying something like that!?" I got on the top of her taking advantage of her due to her weak state she cannot even open her eyes. "Are you okay? What are you feeling?" I asked gently pressing my forehead unto hers. "I feel so tired but my strength should be able to be back by two to three days" I smiled "What did you do anyway?" Instead of answering she grabbed my hands and placed it gently to her heart. I could feel it pumping. I smiled "Thank you" I said. "You know your hands have gotten smooth" she inquired again. "Oh that! I'm just afraid of touching your soft skin with hard hands" I've just got her to stop that by kissing her. When I kissed her I knew I belong here with her. I know it sounds crazy like a love sick novel but I couldn't believe it myself either. You know the feeling when you knew you just have to without a reason at all. She moaned and I felt an adrenaline rush inside me. I'm going crazy, I know it.
"Your lips have gotten thick" she said weakly fighting the urge to fall asleep. "but I like it" she added. It made me smile I wouldn't hesitate anymore. I know what I want and hearing that from her… We both don't want to be alone anymore.
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"My lips are like this so that I could easily make you mine…"
END