Chapter 16

It was early in the morning when Rinko got up with Fuyumi. As an observant observer, the brunette immediately noticed how weak she seemed to be when they were heading to the dinning hall. When they took her to the infirmary, they knew she has a slight fever with her 38°C. After eating breakfast, she took a fever medicine and was ordered to sleep for some rest. Jole and Rina were there, bitterly thinking that it's unfortunate for her since the sports fest is still going on and she won't be able to participate in the particular game she chose. However, it was part of her plan. She schemed all of it so she won't have any other excuse when she'd go missing in the middle of the fest to investigate. She sneaked out by time the nurse-in-charge was gone to look for some cold compress.
"I'd like to talk to you about something." a voice said, halting the girl as she walks upstairs. She looked over her shoulder and gripped her bow – which she just took from their room – as soon as she saw that it was Lawrence. His presence sent initial impulses through her veins, which she neglected, as she thought of using her arrows in the quiver that's slung across her back.
"What is it?" the same as their last meeting yesterday, her voice was in business-tone again.
"I..." he held a sour look as he walks closer to her. "I'll tell you while having some coffee in the cafeteria."
"Tell me now." she demanded. "I still have some things to do." he frowned.
"It appeared like my squad was attacked last night." he whispered.
"Attacked? By vampires?" her voice was flat but there was a sharp edge as she said her last word.
"You mean a vampire." he finished his statement. Her eyes widened.
"Just one? What were they doing!?" she hissed, clenching her fists in agitation. "What happened, then?"
"Only one survived." he bitterly phrased. "That vampire was strong. He was probably an 'old one'. It also seemed like he was using poison as his trump card. The tests made by the police proved that they died from some kind of unknown poison. Since there's no one to monitor the cameras anymore, I removed them earlier this morning. Kevin suggested that it's better if I'll take their place but I said accompanying you would be a better job. Investigating here is more important."
"Only one?"
"Only my aunt, Raziel." she stared at him for a while. "But she's comatose in the central hospital. Zack and Gureth died on their encounter." she suppressed a gasp.
"Aunt, eh?" she laughed without humor.
"Yeah. She's a few years older than me." he cleared his throat. "Anyway, moving on, what plans do you have that you pretended to be sick?" he crooked a brow at her.
"Do I need to explain to you?"
"Of course." he smirked. "Although I know you don't want to cooperate with me, we need to plan something together." Rinko bit her lip in defiance but complied, defeated.
"I'll go to the computer room and hack their system to get classified informations on how this university was built. By doing so, I'll be able to know why this place became their lair. That's only the start of it. I pretended to be sick to have an excuse for being absent in the current school event. If they'll happen to catch me, I'll simply act to be ditching the event."
"I was just about to order you to investigate the background of this university. But that plan of yours is a better start." Lawrence complimented and they both went at the second floor of the building.

"Sayako-sama," Khana called, interrupting her liitle chat with Rui. She moved closer and whispered to her ear, "I can't find Zen-baka anywhere." Sayako was immediately stoned; her jaw was clenched into a perfect square.
"Isn't his chess starting soon?" Rui asked. Khana nodded but Sayako stayed silent like a tiger waiting for the right time to attack its prey with the best way possible.
"I..." Sayako managed to mutter, catching the attentions of the two. "I was able to hear his thoughts last night. He thought, 'I must do it'. After that he was blocking me again."
Khana and Rui both stilled.
"Sayako-sama...isn't he the right hand of chairman Akishi?"
Sayako nodded once. Like they all have the same idea at the same time, they looked at each other in the dead silence that followed.

The walk up to the computer room was totally different from the noisy court at the outside that can be viewed from the windows. They were both quiet. Aside from the noise outside and the twittering of some birds, their footsteps that were clacking on the marble floor were the only particular audible sound along that corridor. Their footsteps came to cease as soon as they reached the computer room; they were replaced by small sounds of infiltration when Rinko tried to unlock the door with a key she recently duplicated from the real one. After she unlocked it successfully, the door swung open and they went inside.
"I have a laptop here." Lawrence said, catching her attention. Then, he held his right hand up that's carrying the laptop bag. They moved to a computer and started it. Rinko first opened the 'documents'. She easily took every information about the school – the history of its foundation, where it originated and even the details about Vince Akishi, the university's chairman. However, things did not go on accordingly. There was one file that required a password to be opened. In pure haste, Rinko brought the laptop to life and used it to hack the other. In no time, they got the correct password. But, on the other hand, Rinko is the one who hesitated. Her fingers tremble on the mouse.
"Open it." Lawrence commanded. His voice was husky, filled with anticipation, which she flinched at. As soon as she regained her esteem, she clicked it open, but almost gasped at what she saw. She shuddered when she rolled her eyes to her side and saw Lawrence's face very close to her. His smirk was noticeable.
The file was only a picture with a little caption bellow but what made it a perfect evidence is the damsel in the middle of it. The damsel stands by the door of a small cottage made from bricks. Around the cottage are some trees. Before her are toddlers of about five to six of age. She seemed to be teaching them. There was nothing odd from the photo except from the way they are clothed. They seemed to be from medieval era.
"That girl..." Rinko muttered as she observed the teacher. She has a long, wavy, auburn hair. Although it's fixed in a bun, half of it flows down her waist with its tips curled. She has a pair of brown eyes that look at her students cheerfully. Aside from her features and the setting, no other things were clear considering its age. "Although the color of her hair and eyes are lighter...she looks like...Sayako-san..." she whispered too low that she seemed to be talking to herself alone. "But...that cheerful expression...it's the difference..." then she read the caption. "First school of Yukio Monte Crell."
"That Yukio was mentioned in this university's history." Lawrence stated, slightly surprising her. "She's the wife of Cross Monte Crell but her maiden name is Akishi." she stood up and stared at him with fiery eyes. "This university was founded by her. She and Cross has an only daughter but little is known about her. Such as her name..." Rinko glared at him. "Her daughter was called...Sayako Monte Crell." she flinched as he said it syllable-by-syllable.
A half minute passed but it seemed like an hour.
"It was noted that Cross was British and Yukio was Japan." Lawrence continued merciless as he watches realization slowly consumes the other slayer. "So, it may be possible that they were from Britain and just migrated here."
"What's the issue with that?" she asked, again, in a flat voice.
"There's only one reason that fits if they are the same Monte Crells. They are hiding because Monte Crells are known for being a family of vampires. They are the archenemy of the slayers before. Since that's the case, they might changed their surnames into something obscure. And that will be Akishi, Yukio's maiden name."
"Are you saying that Sayako-san and Chairman Vince are originally Monte Crells?" she gritted her teeth. "That's insane! You don't have any proofs! You're merely accusing them as vampires!"
"That cottage in the picture is also in here." he neglected her comment. If there was something that was missing in his theory, which is the fact he just said that sent shivers down her spine.
"Where is it?" she asked in a low, serious and calm voice.
"Follow me." he said. Before they left, she inserted a CD in the drive and used the virus in it to corrupt everything in the system of the computer, including its memory to erase any traces of their hacking. The only things that were saved were the files needed as evidences that they saved in the laptop.

Sylvon's and Rina's eyes flashed red after hearing the news about Rinko from Fuyumi. The brunette just went back to the clinic to check on the raven but the nurse said she left already, probably to join them to the fest. But the nurse's conclusion was obviously wrong. They haven't seen her yet. Even her shadow was clearly absent. Sayako, Khana, Rui, Maria and Akira are by the side, too. It was a general meeting requested by Rui himself. At first, Khana refused but eventually agreed because of Sayako's presence.
Before Fuyumi continued, a breeze of cool near-winter wind passed them.
"The leader of the back-up squad, Lawrence, is also missing." she whispered, knowing they'll hear clearly no matter how faint her trembling voice is. "They are probably with each other by now, conducting their investigation in the shadows."
"In the shadows..." Sayako repeated. "Speaking of shadows...Zen must be the one playing in the shadows..." she frowned. "Among us, aside from those missing slayers, he's the only one that's supposed to be here but isn't."
"He's the same as always." Khana commented. "If he's not with Vince, he'll surely pop up from nowhere, later."
"He's with Vince." Rui said. "He can't be with anyone without us knowing. Aside from-"
"We rely on hunches and suspicions." Maria interfered. Her eyes are closed as she deeply concentrates. "I saw him went into elders' place..." Rina and Sylvon shifted their eyes at her.
"How much are you now allowed to see?" Sylvon asked, pronouncing each word hastily that Akira and Fuyumi barely understood him.
"Yeah. The spell-like barrier weakened. I think it's because the caster is concentrating on another spell." she answered.
"What can you know see?"
"I...I can see..." she flicked open her eyes. "R-Rinko...I-I don't know what time...but s-she'll know something very i-important...w-within this day." she stuttered, still in the state of shock from whatever she saw. After saying the due time, their conversation returned again to the dead silence they started from before Fuyumi was able to speak.

They were couples of meters away from the cottage when they stopped to look. After a long period to time, the cottage's physical features are different to the one in the picture. Vines and ivies crept around its structure. The bricks are now green from the moss. The ground that it stood upon is also covered in green grass; then, the faint light of the autumn sun shown upon it. For a moment, they forgot that it was an olden school with a teacher being suspected as a vampire. What they just felt was the joy in the air of the small architecture.

He knelt down and after a few tries, he heaved the metal up and saw the ladder leading down. "Shall we go and find what's bellow?" she nodded. He sneered at her. "Remember, curiosity killed the cat," he said, letting her to go down dressing up in her black and red jacket and white blouse, the faint sound of the sheathing of her sword announced the coming of the unwanted battle. She pulled her brows together and felt the texture of the jeweled basket-hilt of her claymore under her index finger as she carresses it. Then, as if testing her prowess, she ran high-voltage electric currents through it as her eyes reddened. She gulped and then, like a sinking ship, her eyes slowly closed. When she reopened them, they're already back to their natural autumnal-brown color. She took the cord of her sword and tied it around the belt way of her jeans. Suddenly, out of the blue, a couple of knocks on the door alerted her. She walked with heavy steps, unlocked it and opened for her fetcher to come in.
"Ready?" the black-red haired guy asked. She nodded and instinctively glanced at his waist where his sword, flamberge, lies. "You don't look like you are. Are you sure you'd go, Akishi-dono?"
"Stop worrying, Rui." she walked pass him. "If there's one who's in dangered to come, that will be you." in the most ignorant way, Rui tilted his head to his side.
"Me?" he asked, stepping closer to her making her heart thump.
"Yes, you." she answered, concealing her heart's recent activity. "Have you forgotten Maria's premonition about you?"
"Nope." he became serious again. "But...If I'll really die tonight, what will you give as my last compensation?" he inched closer.
"Halt." she phrased, looking at his lips that are in-no-inch close to hers. Because of it, she's already breathing the air he exhaled. "If you don't want to die earlier, then that's as far as you can go." the guy instantly stepped back, holding his gut as he choke out a loud laugh. "Wha-!"
"Playing tricks on someone who's unpredictable and making her predictable is really a superb hobby!" he said between his laugh. "Look, you're blushing!"
"Stupid idiot!" she fumed and angrily sent him a bash, which he easily blocked.
"I was just about to give you something when I heard your heartbeat." his tone became normal again, calming the other.
"What is it?" she threateningly questioned. Then, he took something from his pocket, grabbed her hand and submissively gave it in her care.
"That is yours." he said as she hold it up in her front, marveling. It is a silver bracelet with a cross in the middle, which has a ruby gem in the center. "Don't you remember?"
"This...is my otto-sama's, isn't it?" she said without a tone of questioning. After examining its ancient features, she warped and locked it around her wrist. It took her some seconds before she put her hand down and looked back at Rui. "He gave this to okaa-sama."
"Yes. That is also the thing that showed to me who I really am." he looked down, as if ashamed of what he just said. "If...we...aren't really related...who will I be to you?"
"You will always be you." she replied without any moment of contemplation. "it doesn't matter. What are saying?"
"I can read past events in objects depending on how much stored memory there is." he paused with a deep breath and he took his contact lenses off and kept them in his case, which he slipped in the pocket of his coat. When valor lit upon his will, he held her face up so that they're looking into each other's eyes. "I saw the scene when Cross-tono was planing to adopt me. Because he loves you so, he was ready to adopt an orphan to be your human cousin so that in time, you'll understand how to care for humans."
"What proof do you have?" she asked, intrigued; and unbelieving at the same time. "You mean...we aren't cousins?"
"Yes. The reason why why I wanted you to meet Rinko was because she's a part of your past." he confessed, forming creases on his forehead because of his deep frown. "I saw it through her rabbit stuffed toy. Believe me or not, that's the truth. The truth, which they concealed and which I tried to hide due to my fears, is my farewell gift for you."

"What are we gonna do next after proving that they are vampires?" she asked blankly with no hopes of success. If they would be successful in having strong evidences against the university itself, that only means Sayako would be the opposite of 'friend'. "We aren't just doing this for the sake of being a detriment to this university, are we?" she was still astounded by the beauty of the antique painting.
"After proving that they are vampires, we can easily tempt them with your blood." she shuddered. "Then we can easily create a panic scene and define who are the vampires in the crowd as they try to attack you."
"So, you mean, I'll play as the bait?"
"Of course." he looked at her, and smiled genuinely. "Don't worry. I won't let you down." she snubbed him, immediately creating a wide contrast between his current expression with the most recent one as he snickered.
"If you won't wanna go in, so be it." she said expressionlessly as she paced to the door of the cottage and went inside. He followed her trail.
"It's really a school, eh?" said Lawrence as they examined the interior of it. By the walls are the shelves with books and in the center is a wooden table. Near the windows are some lockers with rusted padlocks. Despite how old it may seem from the outside, it's clean and has no trace of old age."I thought it's an abandoned place. Although it's proven to be old by these holes." he referred at the irregular-shaped holes on the wooden floor.
"Even cobwebs aren't present." Rinko supported his line. She ran her index finger on the table but when she took a look at it, not even a single dust particle was caught. "This isn't abandoned. They're using it." she concluded.
"Harume-san," he called, holding a fire hook. She looked down and noticed a metal covering on the floor. "It seems like this is for that thing, which possibly leads to a secret hideout." her eyes widened and her lips curled from the corners, forming a smirk of a curious cat.

It was a chaotic afternoon for the whole university. The festival was cut short and what's worse is that the students are to go back home too early for the winter break. Based on the rumors, it was because of the sudden news about a lunar eclipse, in which the university is tasked to observe for an unknown reason. After a little commotion, the front entrance is now crowded with different family cars as the students say their goodbyes to each other. What is obscure to them is that their departure is a preparation for a head-on battle at night.
"Jole," a soft, kind voice called from nowhere, causing the girl to be startled. She turned to her rear, swinging her yellow dress around because of the motion, and saw it's Rina. "Be careful."
"What for?" she snorted, jokingly. "You sounded really serious."
"I am serious." all at once, she stiffened and closed the distance between them to hear more of what she'll say. "On your way, if you'll see a Mercedez heading towards here, call me immediately. We are waiting for some back-up."
"What...what's going to happen?" she asked, shivering when she realized the fact that there's an unwelcomed occurrence waiting to happen.
Rina waited for the another cars to leave. With trembling, cold hands, she forced her tone to be calm and almost nonchanlant. "The elders and Vince will later hold a rebellion against the vampire lord." she paused, her lips involuntary quivered as she continued, "Though we still don't know...what they might actually do...that's our conclusion at this time." she turned her back; and just then, plastered a fake smile as carefree as she can manage while watching Jole – who was also fear-strucken at that time – when she went inside their car and left.

Their footsteps were echoing along the murky hall. It's dark and the only light are the torches. In the background are the unknown eerie noises which caused the hair on their arms stand up. Rinko gripped his bow tighter when a tug resonated. On the contrary, Lawrence kept still, like a walking statue in silence. Their hearts were pounding hard in their chests in anticipation for what unseen monster might be awaiting for their arrival. Aggravated as their surrounding as they may seem, but they did nothing for their determination to waver.
"Lawrence..." she called, her voice a bit muffled by her hesitating lips. "Look." she pointed her finger to their right when they came upon a crossroad . By there is a chamber without a door. Inside, shelves are arranged all around the walls as they tower to the ceiling.
"You wanna read?" he asked, mockingly.
"No." she hissed as she glared at him, but let it pass. "Look at the center." he obeyed. And his eyes widened in that slightest bit when he was dazzled by the angelic beauty of Yukio in a portrait that's evidently painted in perfection. "We must investigate that room." in pure haste, they immediately paced to the shelves. In to time, books piled up on the tables at its center.
It was when Rinko took a red and brown book out when their silence was broken with a loud thud after her hands slipped off. Lawrence averted his gaze from the books to her. Clueless, he stood and picked the book up. A smirk turned his lips up as he read the printed title of it: Carmeli University year book 1961-1962.
"This one is one of the missing year books." he said, handing it back to her. He scanned the shelves and found other other books in the same color. "Wanna read them?" still stunned, she just nodded, not trusting her words that might come, though unwanted.
Rinko sharply took a deep breath as he turned the cover. She looked a bit tanner as she glisters under the faint like of the surrounding torches. She became uneasy with a thin layer of sweat on her skin and the loud pounding of her heart. Unfamiliar faces passed by as the pages are being flipped but when he reached the middle he ceased.
Rinko shut her eyes in disbelief.
On that very page, all of the sepia photos of each registered student took the innocence of the people she once called 'friends'. Her eyes are are wide-opened when she abruptly snatched it from Lawrence. She stared down on it steadily, hoping that she was just seeing thing but instead, she threw the book away and stepped back until she hit a shelf. As tears started to trickle down, she slowly slid down and slumped on the floor. "It can't be!" her voice echoed. " ...Why...!? S-Sayako-san..." she sobbed, their images crept into her mind, carving themselves upon her memory. "Maria-san..."
"Those guys called Sylvon and Zen, too." Lawrence said as he reads the other year books.
"Stop it!" she exclaimed, squeezing her eyes shut and bracing herself as she curls into a ball. "This is a bad dream! A nightmare!" He looked at her, eyes filled will anxiety that's orginally hers. He doesn't know whether it was his conscience or just a human instinct but, he felt her pain and dropped his poker face together with the book. He paced and forcefully grabbed her, uncaring if she'll be in physical pain as she struggles but he insisted; soon, she became limp, giving up, and stared at him blankly.
"You aren't a simple human." he said, calm and compassionate. "You are a slayer. You shall not let your emotions get into your way." he continued to look at her; and just then, her gaze tightened, almost piercing but still smooth. He let her go and took the year books with him. Unfortunately, mercy wasn't shown upon her. When he started to walk, a picture dropped from a book he's holding and when it landed very delicately, it showed Rui together with Sayako. The proof that it's nowhere in the present is very noticeable. A hand written 1830 is the solid evidence of the case.
"...what...the hell?" her voice was flat; she paled. After saying her lone phrase she managed to choke out, her mind went blank, giving some space for pain to reside.

The silence was prolonged when no one of them talked. The awkwardness was being tolerated when they paced together, side by side, heading to the others who they are going to meet. Their distance to each other makes the atmosphere more tensed; yet, the other is still determined for the vampire lord not to be able to penetrate his mind. Unlike during their ordinary days as university student, the whole corridor – or even the whole building itself – is absurdly still like an empty and deserted abbatoir. Having the university as their second home, they both felt homesickness through their very veins.
"Sayako-sama..." the familiar voice of Khana broke the silence. Sayako immediately turned to its direction, still holding a poker face. "All is ready."
"Head to your positions now." she said in her calm, normal voice. "We don't know what my uncle is planning." they all held doomed expressions at her statement.
"They're here." Rina said as she strolls toward them with Sylvon by her side. They are followed by a squad.
"Hisashiburi, Agnes." although the situation she was previously in was intense, her tone was chummy as she welcomed the girl who seemed to be the leader of the squad. Like every one of them, she and her companions possess the rare beauty of their race. From top to bottom – her sandy brown hair that's curled at the tips, her hazel eyes, and her lavender pink lips – there's no flaws. "Those guys whom you brought, introduce them."
"Line up." she ordered. A tall Venetian blond stepped forward; and beside him are the two others who are a platinum and flaxen blond respectively. "From my right, Armen," she said, referring to the tall one. "Jeinrich," she referred to the flaxen guy next who has the middle height. "and Jul." and ended after introducing the platinum blond who's seems to be the youngest among them. Just then, Fuyumi and Akira paced towards them, alerting Agnes and her company. She stiffened, hissing as her eye color gradually changes to red...
"Don't attack them." Rui interferred when she was about to step forward. "They aren't enemies."
"And who are you?" she raised a brow arrogantly.
"He's Rui; Rui Honou." Sayako said as the other slayers halted at their sides.
"The guy whom Cross-sama adopted from our orphanage?" – Sayako winced. For a moment, she looked at him as he let her read his thought; I told you – "So, it's true. Priestess Bridget really took care the ex-human who's supposed to be your responsibility."
"Watch your words." Khana snarled, defensing the vampire lord. Sayako shook her head at her.
"Thanks for what you said." she said in pure courtesy. "I hate hearing secret thoughts like that. If you want to go away now, do as you wish. I don't need loyalty but honesty instead." They smiled at each other.
"I won't leave you beacause of a simple matter. Besides, I know that you aren't foolish enough to do the same mistake twice." she looked at Rui. "Anyway," then she flickered her gaze to the two other at his side. "Are those humans hypnotized? What are they do – "
"We aren't under anything." Fuyumi said as she grip her staff at her side in unison to Agnes' surprised gasp. Akira stares at her pursuassively, trying to stop whatever she'll say; and fails when she spoke again, "And if you're trying to do anything to us – "
"They are here to help us." Sayako cut her off. Being able to read her mind, she immediately knew what she'll say will only cause a commotion. Although she was disappointed for not being able to say what she wanted to say, Fuyumi stayed calm. "They aren't civilians so don't worry, they won't burden us."
"That's not my concern." Agnes said. "They're suspicious." she eyed the brunette's staff and Akira's gun. "Remember the attack of the slayers at your residence before?" – Sayako held no expression as the cousins both glanced at her – "I don't think I could cooperate with them. I can't give them my trust after what happened in the past."
"If they'll do anything nasty," Sayako said, "I'll kill them myself." Fuyumi glared at Sayako but Rui interferred. "By now, you must be on your positions." Agnes nodded and together with Rina and Sylvon and left.
"Why did you say that?" Fuyumi asked as calmly as she could manage.
"Because it's the truth." Sayako glared back at her. "But don't worry," she sarcastically smirked. "I know that you won't. You value your life enough to have fear in me."
"I fear no one." Then, she pointed her staff up at her, gritting her teeth.
"Stop that." Rui tried to calm them down as he pushes them away from other with Akira's help. Sayako glanced at Khana; and realizing how calm she is, she dropped her facade and replaced it with a genuine tranquility.
"Let go, Rui." he hesitated but obeyed. Akira did the same, although bitterly when the brunette forcefully strungled. "I won't hurt you if you'll behave yourself...don't anger Agnes or she'll be over with your cold body before I do." Fuyumi's eyes widened when she noticed the blankness of the other girl's expression. That expression...by any chance... She thought, chuckling. Did she say that to reassure that girl so she'll leave...without hurting us...? Sayako tensed when she tried to read her thoughts. Fuyumi stilled and stared at her in the eyes.
"Got 'ya." she smirked. Sayako's eyes burnt red when she realized that the girl saw through the words with her excessive common – or maybe uncommon in her case – sense.
"Stop jumping to your own conclusion, will you?" she snarled, a faint blush tainting her fair cheeks.

"How long are we going to wait?" she asked, half-dazed by what they have recently found.
"Just half an hour." he said. "I've planned our last resolve prior to this investigation so they aren't that far from our location. And Kevin-sachou is with them." Rinko jerked and looked up at him.
"He's with our back-up?" she stood up from the ground and stared at Lawrence. The guy simply nodded as Rinko looked down, setting her gaze back on the ground.
"I'll just go back to our dorm." the redhead's eyes widened at the slightest bit. "There's an evidence I forgot."
"What is it?" he asked, pulling his brows together. "I'll accompany you."
"I don't want anyone's accompaniment. Besides, I can handle myself." she turned her back at him and started pacing. The only thing he was still able to see was her silhouette. Soon, it was also gone.

"Khana," Sayako called her. "Go and hide with Maria at the basement." It was only Rui and the two of them who were left after she ordered Fuyumi and Akira to accompany Agnes.
"Do you really don't need me in the fight?" she frowned. Sayako shook her head and took her hand.
"It's not because I don't need you." she explained, "It's because I need someone to look over to Maria. She can't defend herself without her ability working in its best condidtion." Khana nodded, and as if giving Sayako in his care, she left with an encouraging glance to Rui.

"Isn't it time for my compensation now?" he asked in a mocking tone. Sayako turned at him with a scowl. She clenched her hand into a fist but knowing he 'll be able to block that attack and loosened her grip. Instead she let electriacl currents flow through her right arm.
"Will this do?" she replied a question, using sarcasm as she holds her arm up. "Idiot." Rui simply chuckled when she put it down, casting the electricity off. "Our situation right now isn't something to laugh at. My uncle is one of the elder council, which means he's as old as a never-will-be-rotten-plastic; Zen is probably on his side; And on top of those, Rinko will also be our problem. She isn't at the clinic and I haven't seen her until now."
"I'm only asking for my compensation but you've already said lots of things." he stepped closer and her wrist up. She glared at him as he ran her sleeve up and closed the distance between it and his lips. "This shall be the best one, you know?"
"My blood? That would surely be blan –" she wasn't able to finish when he sank his fangs on the flesh of her forearm. "Nngh...!" she moaned as she reached his head and tried to pull him away but the sensation from the bite overpowered her senses and soon, her grip weakened to the point that it seemed like she's pulling him even closer. "...ah..."
I never thought I'll be able to hear that voice. She read his thought as he feasted on her blood.
"...Baka...!" she tried to push him again but her effort was lost in vain. "St...stop it...not that...bite..." she trailed off as she bit her lip to shut up, not trusting her words which may only make her utter unwelcomed moans. She grasped his hair as his eyes deliberately turned as red as the substance served before him. "R-Rui...stop it..." she groaned, pushing him as she hears the faint, dashing footsteps that's becoming louder and louder as if coming towards them. "Stop...Rui – !" before she could finish her phrase, an arrow slashed through the thin air; and, although a second delayed, Rui evaded to his side in a blurred motion.
"Will you explain everything to me, aniki?" the childish tone of her voice echoed in the dead silence as the two stare at her. Her eyes are still blue but something has change. Intead of resembling a clear weather sky, they are now clouded with confusion, hatred, and pain. They seemed to be closer to the cold shadows of the moutains.
Rinko put her bow down on the floor and took her pistols at her sides. She checked their bullet chambers and found them full, then aimed at them.
The time seemingly froze as no one moved, as if the time is not measured by the ticking of the clock but instead, by their breaths and heartbeats.
"I'm waiting." the slayer spoke in a low, flat voice. "As a childish brat, I'm impatient. Therefore, hurry up."
"Where do you want me to start?" Rui questioned, wiping the trail of blood from the side of his lips as his eyes turned back to dark amethyst.
Rinko gazed at Sayako's arm, as if concerned. But she only smirked when she saw the bite marks healing rapidly. Then, she returned her attention to him.
"From the time you met me." she answered tonelessly. "It just hurts my pride to be harmed by a monster yet was saved by another."
"I'll tell you," Rui said. "If you'll promise me that you won't hurt Akishi-dono." Rinko narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Why do you ask me that? It is my duty to erase such beings as yourselves."
"How rude." Sayako said, breaking off her silence as she rolled her sleeve to her wrist after she wiped the blood away. "Shall I teach you how to pay respect, slayer?"
Rinko winced both because of the name she addressed her with and the way Sayako turned and gaze intensely at her with bloodshot irises.
"I don't need a brute's lesson." she gazed at Rui again, ignoring the irritated noise that Sayako made. "Do we want to tarry more, aniki? Explain everything...are Fuyumi and Akira-aniki also like you?"
"No." he answered. "I found them five years ago. They are plain humans, just like you." he paused and sucked air deeply. "Right now, among us, Akishi-dono is the stongest. She can make this world an utopia that's only for vampires." Rinko frowned, unbelieving. "But she did not. Rebellion arised. And now, she's being targeted by the ones she formerly leads. But I tell you, once she died, that power would be passed down to her only living relative at this time." Sayako glanced at him. "If -"
"Enough, Rui." the vampire spoke spoke. "We can't do anything if she won't believe-"
"She has the right to know so she can have her own decision." he painfully pulled his brows together. "If that happens, Vince, her uncle, will become the vampire lord. His will is to erase the existence of humans. I believe that must be our priority right now."
"Why do you need blood?"
"That isn't important." Sayako hissed.
"Why?" but the slayer insisted. Rui's expression softened.
"Because we need it." he answered. "Just like how you eat."
"Can't you survive on human food?"
Rui pondered for a while then replied, "Only the older vampires can. The young ones basically thirst for it."
"...it's the nature of mosters..." Sayako mutterred, glancing at Rinko who narrowed her eyes at them. "Right?"
"...Yeah." the raven answered. "And for that reason, I shall kill you right here. But before that, if what aniki said was right, why did you choose to do nothing with such power?"
"Because it's a meaningless thing to do." Sayako said, immidaitely getting Rui's attention. "It'll be a waste of -"
"It won't hurt to tell the truth, Akishi-dono." Rui said, scratching his temple. Sayako shot him a death glare but he didn't mind it. "It's because your mother, Yukio-dono, is an ex-human just like me, isn't it?"

[shattered]