CHAPTER SEVEN
Mitsuru is lying in bed staring up at the ceiling. He isn't sure how long he's been awake. All night maybe? Thinking back, he does have a few gaps in his memory so he must have dosed off at one point. Not that it matters. Awake or dreaming, his thoughts still focus on the same thing.
Mahiru…
He keeps going over every detail of last night. How his stomach clenched in fear when he heard her scream. How he ignited in anger so easily when he saw Hokuto hurt her. How his mouth felt when he said her name for the first time. How much he enjoyed feeling her warmth in his arms. How much he wanted to kiss her on the rooftop.
He groans and covers his face with the pillow. I had not wanted to kiss her. That would never happen. I loathe her. I hate her. I wouldn't mind if she dropped off the face of the earth! He contemplates about what it would be like if he never saw her again and his chest tightens. He doesn't want that. He wishes she were next to him right now.
Mitsuru groans again and tosses the pillow across the room. It hits the wall with a soft thud. What the crap is wrong with me? I don't even feel like "me" anymore. He lifts his hand in front of his face staring at his palm as if all of the answers lie in the lines and creases, just waiting for him to decipher them like a palm reader. What am I changing into because of her? I don't feel as angry anymore. I feel like whatever I wanted out of life has suddenly shifted sideways and upside down. Do I really hate what's happening, or do I like this new "me" I'm becoming?
A loud commotion coming from downstairs pulls Mitsuru out of his thoughts. He glances at the clock. It reads 6:36. He sighs and throws the covers off of him. Might as well go see what's going on.
Mitsuru drags himself downstairs, head still foggy from lack of sleep. The fox and vampire are in the kitchen arguing about something way too early in the morning for Mitsuru's liking. Misoka is trying to stay calm and collected but he's obviously struggling. Nozomu isn't even trying to keep it together. His arms are flinging around and he looks like he wants to hit something. There's only one person they would get this worked up about. Mitsuru starts to focus on what they're saying.
"Those idiots!" Nozomu yells, exasperated. "Why didn't they wait for us?"
Misoka sighs loudly. "Well, obviously they are very worried about the girl, as they should be, but this is beyond reckless. They can't handle Dawn's Venus by themselves."
"And Mahiru! She didn't bring Batty with her again! I swear I'm gonna clobber her when we find them."
Mitsuru notices a piece of paper clasped in one of Nozomu's fists. Mitsuru grabs the vampire's forearm, ignoring the yelp of pain and attempt to pull away from his grasp, and yanks the sheet out of Nozomu's hand, almost tearing the paper in the process. Mitsuru scans the paper. It's a note written in Mahiru's hand:
"Dear Mitsuru, Misoka, and Nozomu,
In case you guys wake up before we return we decided to leave you a note. Akira and I have gone out to look for Himura. I'm sorry we didn't wait for you all, but, as Misoka said, time is of the essence and she may not have much left. Again, we're very sorry, and hope you can forgive us.
Sincerely,
Mahiru and Akira"
Mitsuru crumples the note and throws it in the sink while every profanity he can think of comes streaming out of his mouth under his breath, cursing the stupid girl and werewolf. Why I ever thought I needed to kill her myself I have no idea. She's going to get the job done on her own just fine. Mitsuru rushes up to his room to change. No matter how much of a hurry he's in he doesn't want to go out in just his boxers and a shirt.
Now fully dressed, Mitsuru is about to jump out of his window when he hears something land on the roof. Then the sound of feet pounding against stairs. Mitsuru turns around and heads to his door. He's out in the hallway just in time to see Mahiru bursting through the stairwell door.
Tears are streaming down Mahiru's face making her eyes red and puffy. When she sees Mitsuru she lets out a mangled sob and launches herself into him. Her arms encircle his chest tightly, tight enough to match one of Akira's hugs even when he's fully transformed, and she presses her face against him. At first Mitsuru hesitates returning her embrace. By this time Misoka and Nozomu have come upstairs, too, and he doesn't want them thinking things they shouldn't. But seeing her cry, seeing her tremble again with fear and distress, he can't help himself. Slowly, he brings one arm across her shoulders and the other slides down across her back, holding her close.
One second.
Mitsuru gives himself one second to soak in Mahiru's presence, to press his face against the top of her head, and to breathe in her scent. When he read that note he thought, for the second time within a twenty-four hour period, that he was going to lose her. Relief courses through Mitsuru as he enjoys that one second.
Then the second passes and he grabs Mahiru's shoulders, pushing her away from him so he can get a look at her. Her clothes and hands are covered in blood and Mitsuru turns several shades paler. "Are you hurt?" he asks gently, trying not to let his panic show as he scans her body looking for an injury.
Mahiru opens her mouth to speak but all that comes out is another sob. She covers her mouth with her hand, trying to stop the sobs and compose herself, but it is a losing battle so she simply shakes her head no.
"Mahiru, what happened? Where's Akira? Did you find that girl?" Mahiru sobs again as she nods her head to the last question, grabs Mitsuru's hand, and drags him up the stairs leading to the roof, Misoka and Nozomu close on their heels.
Up on the roof sits Akira, a broken and bloodied form lying in his lap. He has two fingers pressed against the figure's neck searching for a pulse. Everyone just stares in horror and the only sound heard is of Mahiru crying. Akira looks up at them, tears brim his eyes and spill over, and says one word.
"Keiko."
Author's Note
I know, I know. You hate me. This cliff hanger wasespecially evil. Don't worry, though, I'll post more soon. Review please!
