Chapter 10
The sun began to rise over the horizon as Marinel watched over a sleeping Tamao, softly stroking her hair. She must have held her like that for what felt like hours, she didn't even need to wake her up since there was no school today. Before anything else popped in her mind, she heard the sound of footsteps approach her door then it swung open.
-"Ohayo Tama—!"- Marinel rushed to Nagisa in a blink of an eye, only the gust of air hitting Nagisa and Marinel's hand covering her mouth.
"Sshh," she said, "Tamao is still sleeping."
-"Gomen,"- Nagisa cried out softly, -"I thought she'd be awake by now."-
"Do you want me to wake her?"
She shook her head, -"No, I'll come back later."- Nagisa smiled and walked back to her room, happily knowing that Tamao had spent the night with Marinel.
Once she was gone, Marinel crawled back in bed and began to softly stroke Tamao's face as she slept which did not last long. After an hour passed she finally opened her eyes and gazed into Marinel's green orbs.
-"Ohayo Mari-chan."-
"Mornin love." She replied and Tamao reached over, wrapping her arms around Marinel's neck and lowering her for a good morning smooch, "I take it you slept well sugar?"
Tamao nodded, -"Very much so."- she snuggled closer to her.
"No doubt, oh by the way Nagisa was looking for you."
-"Nagisa-chan? Did something happen?"-
"I don't think so, but she wanted to see you."
-"I see, well I better get changed,"- She grabbed her clothes, -"Do you want to come?"-
Marinel shook her head, "That's alright love, I'm sure she wants to talk to you alone. I'll find something to keep myself busy."
-"Okay, i'll be back soon,"- she gave her a kiss, -"Try your best not to drink blood 'kay."- Tamao had to stop halfway after hearing herself say that, she never once in her life thought that could ever come out of her lips.
"I'll try." She watched Tamao leave the room and was left alone with her thoughts, She looked outside and could see the sun was already high in the sky, "What the hell should I do now?"
Tamao walked over to her room, and walked in seeing Nagisa reading one of her books.
-"Tamao-chan!"- She practically leapt off the bed and gave Tamao a big hug.
-"I'm so happy to see you!"-
-"I am too Nagisa-chan,"- They slowly pulled away from each other, -"Mari-chan said you wanted to see me? Is something wrong?"-
She shook her head, -"I just really wanted to see you two together, it's really cute Tamao-chan."-
-"I see."- Tamao blushed as she looked away.
-"You two look so happy!"-
-"Arigato Nagisa-chan, I feel happy, happier then I've ever been."- Tamao then looked at Nagisa, -"What about you? How's it going with Shizuma?"-
-"I don't know, she wants to take all of us to her summer home."-
-"All of us? Why?"- Tamao wondered what was on Shizuma's mind, if she wanted to make a move on Nagisa wouldn't it be better for them to be on their own?
-"All she said is she wants all of us to have a good time."-
-"Well, I hope something happens between you two Nagisa-chan."-
Nagisa didn't respond, only blush on the mere thought of it.
The two sat down and talked, well, mostly Nagisa asking alot of questions about Marinel and how amazing it all must be for Tamao. Before they knew it, the two turned to the window and saw the sun was already an orange ball about to set and were shocked by how much they talked and played some of the board games Nagisa had.
Marinel walked under the shade of the trees though the sun was beginning to set as she made her way to Lulim to visit Chikaru, and along the way she saw many couples enjoying themselves in the forest which was unusual because didn't they hide in the safety of their library where they all gathered. While it was enough to peak her interest and excite her, she kept going maybe thinking of bringing Tamao here for some fun. Though, she just couldn't resist, she actually double backed and watched those other girls a moment which turned longer then a moment.
A smirk appeared on her face as she thought of it.
The familiar pink building came into view and saw many girls outside playing sports or just having fun with their friends and even others showing off the costumes they had made in their clubs. Marinel quickly entered the building as to avoid the sun and began to look around for Chikaru.
What she did find however was Shion, looking in through the window and after peeking over Shion's shoulder she was looking at Chikaru and she looked so mesmerized.
"What are we watchin love?" Marinel snapped Shion out of it.
-"Whaa!"- Shion backed away from the door, -"I'm not watching anything!"-
She only smirked, "Of course you're not." She then waltzed her way to the door Shion was just standing in front off and peered in, she saw Chikaru quietly working in there on her clubs, "Aah, I see." she giggled.
"It's nothing alright!" Shion's face was so red, Marinel could almost feel the heat coming off her.
"That's not what I'm getting off you." She giggled once more, then looked back at Shion who had given her back to her, "Why don't you go talk to her?"
-"Go talk to her?! I can't do that!"-
"Why not? You like her don't you?" Marinel stepped closer to Shion, "And you don't have to lie, I already know you like her."
Shion faced her, -"And what if she doesn't?"
"Well how will you ever know that if you don't try love." Marinel then grabbed Shion's arm, "Come on, this is ridicules, lets go talk to her!"
"No wait!" Shion tried to resist but was no match for Marinel's strength.
She opened the door, "Mornin love!"
Chikaru looked up and saw Marinel walking inside and greeted her with a smile, -"Ohayo Mari-chan!"- That's when she noticed she was dragging Shion behind her, whose cheeks were flushed, -"Shion?"-
"Well I'd love to stay and chat love, but I believe Shion has something she wants to get off her chest." She said and looked at Shion who gave her a look that said 'I"m gonna kill you,'.
"Anyway I'll see you later love! Tamao is probably missing me right now! later!" She said cheerfully and closed the door behind her.
-"Tamao and Mari-chan?"- Chikaru was shocked, but at the same time she was happy for the two of them, -"But anyway, what did you want to tell me Shion-chan?"- Chikaru turned her attention back at the blonde in front of her.
-"Huh! uh!"- Shion was struggling to find her words.
Chikaru giggled, -"You can trust me Shion."
Shion looked at her, then relaxed and took in a deep breath, -"Chikaru..."-
-"Yes?"-
"How would you feel if you knew that someone liked you, no loved you and I'm not talking about a friendly kind of way but of a romantic kind of way?"-
-"My, that's quite the question."- Chikaru then leaned on the desk, -"Hmm... I don't know, It would have to happen for me to give you an answer."- She smiled.
Shion gulped then looked at her, -"Chikaru... I love you!"- She turned around, hiding her flushed face and to avoid Chikaru's gaze, -"And in a romantic way!"
silence...
Shion's heart was beating so fast that she felt it would explode any second and the more it was silent the more she felt she had messed up and ruined her friendship with Chikaru.
What was she thinking?! Shion would ask herself and for the first time in her life she felt terrified over what was going to happen next. Was she going to tell her to get lost? was she going to explode and yell at her? Or was she going to laugh at her? whichever one would happen she knew it would utterly destroy her and she was sure she would not be able to handle that.
That's when she heard the chair slide back, then a few footsteps approached her and felt Chikaru's hand on her shoulder to gently turn her around.
-"Really Shion?"-
Shion nodded, -"Yes."-
Chikaru exhaled and a smile appeared on her face once more, she hesitated for a while till she looked up into her eyes and said, -"I thought you didn't feel the same."-
-"Huh?"-
-"I guess you could say I had a big crush on you since I first saw you in the council room, and slowly it began to grow and grow till I realized I was falling in love with you,"- Chikaru explained, -"And I never would have guessed you would like me, you looked so focused that I never thought you would feel that way."-
-"Really?! I mean... Chikaru... is that the truth?"- Chikaru nodded, -"Wow... I mean it was and this is so cliche but it was love at first sight for me, and I was so scared to come tell you for so long."-
Chikaru grabbed Shion's hands and now she knew it was the right time to ask the girl she's loved for so long the big question.
-"Chikaru,"- They stared into each other's eyes, -"Will you be my girlfriend?"-
-"I'd love too."- She replied so lovingly to which she embraced the blonde haired girl.
Outside the room however, a certain vampire was still outside listening in with a big grin on her face, "Atta girl." She said and finally left, happy knowing that Shion finally made her move and would've marched right back in there if she didn't.
Shizuma leaned against the wall of the strawberry dorms, just watching the view and enjoying the breeze against her skin. She felt conflicted, ever since Marinel told her they could not be she's been having strange feelings. Those feelings were odd, on one hand she desired Nagisa since she first laid eyes on her and wanted to be with her and on the other... she shuddered to think about it but she couldn't help but feel attracted to her.
-"What are you doing here?"-
That voice, no mistaking it.
-"Better question is, what are you doing here Momomi."-
-"Same as you I suppose."- She walked over and leaned on the wall next to Shizuma, -"So, Mari dumped you too?"-
-"Eh?"-
She giggled, -"What, are you surprised that the great playgirl of Astraea Hill was rejected."-
-"Whatever."-
-"Yeah yeah, not like I was any different, I'm honestly surprised she settled with Suzumi-san."-
-"Tamao?"- Momomi nodded, -"That is surprising. How do know this anyway?"-
Momomi stared at her, -"I'm surprised you don't know, it's been the talk of the day. Nagisa told one girl and it spread like a fire."-
-"Was it Yaya-san?"- Momomi only nodded once more.
-"No surprise there, she loves to talk."- Shizuma sighed.
-"Yare... Well not much we can do now,"- Momomi looked at Shizuma who seemed awfully relaxed, -"I'm also surprised you haven't told me to get out of your space."-
-"Don't really want too."-
-"Eh?"- Momomi fully turned to look at her, -"Are you sick or something? That's so unlike you."- she shook her head.
Shizuma looked at her, eyeing her up which only made Momomi feel strange... then something that not even Momomi expected.
Shizuma grabbed her shoulders and pressed her lips on hers, stunning Momomi completely and yet Momomi didn't fight her off mostly due to that she was more in shock then anything and yet, why did it feel good?
Shizuma slowly broke off the kiss, a thin string of saliva still connected to their lips.
-"Well... holy shit..."- Momomi was at a loss, on any other day she would have been yelling at Shizuma, -"Shizuma?"-
Shizuma only kept staring at her, her gaze was inviting and her aura felt warm, -"Gomen... I don't know why, I've just been feeling like this."-
-"Interesting, are you sure it's not because of Mari?"-
-"Maybe."-
Momomi didn't want to argue, if anything she was turned on and curious, -"Well,"- she giggled, -"Let's see where this goes, playgirl of Astraea."- Momomi only gave her a come hither stare.
The two retreated back to Shizuma's room and continued this act of lust or passion, they had no idea as to which it was for them but they wanted to get it out of their system and see what happens afterwards.
Marinel cut through the forest now that the sun had set and the moon lit up the place, admiring the place around her and no matter how many times she sees it, it will never get old for her.
When she took an extra step however, she stopped, she felt light headed and placed her hand on a tree to support herself from falling, what was going on with her?
It didn't take long to figure it out, she was having an urge to drink blood and the sensation was more powerful then ever and she just wanted to drink it, but the more she fought it the harder it got.
She didn't want to do this, she had made a promise to Tamao to not drink blood and resist its call but it was tough, she didn't even care, if someone were to show up she'd probably drain them dry. She shook her head she had to get those thoughts out of her head, she wasn't some full-blooded vampire that doesn't care about human life, no she was better then them and she would not do it, she would not harm anyone anymore.
She dropped to her knees, clawing at the ground, she was addicted to it as there was no doubt in her mind and wondered how she would even stop.
"Well lookie here."
Marinel looked up, seeing two figures appear from the darkness and walk towards her.
"Isn't this our little half-blood friend?" He said.
"Why yes, but don't you mean half-blood filth?" the woman followed up.
Marinel looked at them, it was the same people from the club she had encountered and she weakly stood up.
"What's the matter baby? getting a little withdrawal?" He laughed.
"Stupid half-bloods, they don't need to drink from what I heard but do it anyway and then end up like this." She said while pointing at Marinel.
"Really?" He smirked and the two looked at her.
"The hell do you want?" She went into a defensive stance.
"Oh don't worry about that." in a flash the woman rushed to her, driving her fist into Marinel's stomach and had she not be weakened from her blood withdrawal she would've been able to react to that.
Marinel didn't even have time to catch her breath, as her fist came down once more across her jaw, knocking her out.
"Cause you anit gonna be around for much longer." He said and picked her up, "Go get her girl." she nodded and took off.
Tamao was waiting by the main doors, -"Where is she?"- she wondered, Marinel wasn't in her room or anywhere in the dorms, even the other students hadn't seen her.
The door opened, Tamao quickly ran up to see it was Chikaru, -"Chikaru-chan, have you seen Mari-chan anywhere?"-
-"She was in Lulim with us and left, why?"-
Tamao held her arms, -"Cause I can't find her,"-
-"I'm sure she's okay."- Chikaru tried to reassure the worried girl.
-"Maybe she went to town for a while."- Shion added.
Tamao however wasn't convinced, -"I'm going to go wait for her by the gate."- Chikaru nodded, and retreated back to her room with Shion following behind her, on any other day Tamao would've reacted to seeing them hold hands but right now she just couldn't shake off this feeling that something was wrong.
She stepped outside, greeted by the cool winds and walked over to the gate and waited.
An hour must have passed her by, watching the students quickly pass through and into the dorms but Marinel never showed up and Tamao got ever so worried.
That's when she heard footsteps behind her, a wave of relief washed over her, -"Mari-chan, I was so worried—Nani?"- This woman wasn't Marinel, and she immediatly felt fear and an urge to run.
"So you must be that half-blood's girl huh, she's got good taste I'll give her that."-
Tamao's heart began to beat faster and faster, -"Who are you?!"-
She laughed, not even answering her question. Tamao turned around and took off into a sprint to the doors but the woman appeared before her in the blink of an eye.
"Where ya going cutie, There's something you have to see!" She reached out for Tamao, and she could do nothing as she felt her strong grip on her arms and Tamao let out a terrified scream that echoed through the night sky.
When some girls peeked out their windows, there was not a single soul in the entrance.
A/N: First off I'd like to apologize for this long, LONG delay, I did not forget about this story, far from it. But things happened that prevented me from writing, and one of the biggest reasons was that I hit a wall and did not know where I wanted to go with it as I sort of went off from what I had planned. There were other things that happened but I won't go into detail. But I'll try to get the next chapter out, hope you guys enjoyed it and have a great day :D