The hunters after the vampire and now in a way the battle is getting heated up 
Let's get ready to rumble.
yeah, still managed to post an update.
BIG THANKS to
Come-chan for helping me up with this~~
Jaa... Minna-sama, douzo~
Bloodstained
~ Part 6 ~
(Third Person’s POV) With his hood protecting him from the sunlight, Ayato jumped through the roofs to get a good look of what caught his interest. He was happy but at the same time fury arose because of the sight of the familiar person…
But before he could get any closer, he saw her walking out of the lecture hall.
He stayed at his current position and from the windows, he observed the woman walking through the hallway…
Realizing where she might probably go, Ayato travelled closer to the school buildings. There was only one possible entrance to that place – a small window.
There is a way to get inside. First, he assured by peering through the window that there wasn’t anyone inside the girls’ toilet.
Clear… There’s no one inside.
He sneakily entered through the window and waited inside an empty cubicle.
Ayato knew the sound of her footsteps. That’s why he listened carefully as he awaited for her arrival…
In a short span of time, she entered the toilet with her heels slamming on the tiled floor. Umeda Ayaka, on the other hand, was unaware of Ayato’s presence.
When Ayato opened the door of the cubicle, he grabbed Ayaka’s hand and pulled her inside…
Ayaka was shocked upon seeing the man. At that moment, she cannot believe what her eyes are seeing… The man eyed her with much intensity and they both knew what each of them wanted – to hear the truth behind the years that have passed…
It was as if both of them can read each other’s mind…
“Let’s settle this at the rooftop. There’s rarely anyone there at this hour…” Ayaka told him.
Ayato nodded then he climbed out of the window, leaving Ayaka inside the toilet. The woman was still confused of what’s happening as she traversed the usual path to the rooftop.
Ayaka just passed along the hallway when Anna went out of the clinic. She noticed Ayaka who looks like she was in a hurry. Anna decided to sneakily follow her.
The vampire was unaware of Anna’s presence few meters behind her. Her mind was too occupied that she wasn’t able to sense Anna…
(Anna’s POV) Where is she going?
My mind began to wonder as I keep on following her. I assumed that she was going to the rooftop and I guess I am right…
But why…?
Ayaka opened the door and she slipped out of it to the open space behind. Then, she closed the door. I waited for a little time before slightly pushing the door open, allowing me to have a small space to peer through.
There’s someone waiting there, a man wearing a black jacket with a hood covering his head. He removed his sunglasses as Ayaka approached closer to him…
Who is he?
“Ayato… You’re alive…” I can vaguely hear Ayaka murmur.
Eavesdropping isn’t good but…
(Ayaka’s POV) “Ayato… You’re alive…” I barely murmured when we met face-to-face again.
He still looks the same just like when I last saw him years ago…
I seriously missed him… My dear twin brother…
“Yes, I am. It’s been so long, my dear sister…” He coldly said as a smirk was formed on his face.
“I thought you escaped—” He cut my words off when he suddenly slammed my back to the roof’s fence. He was so fast, just as always… Faster than I am.
“I didn’t kill her! They did it! They caught me and framed me up, Ayaka!”
Ayato clenched his fist. He was angry I could tell.
“Then what happened, Ayato?” I tried to keep myself calm. As the eldest, I knew I must keep my composure in front of him. “Tell me.”
“I’ll tell you what happened.” He growled lowly with his fangs made an appearance. “I rot up under their tortures for years, my dear sister! And with the memories of Misato’s death that haunted me every night, it was just like being in complete hell!”
His words made me speechless and motionless. I never heard of him for years.. Not a single thing ever since that day….
“How about you? Roaming and drinking human blood freely?” he asked gruffly. “I can see you’re wandering freely under the sun...”
I looked at him sharply, “You have no idea what has happened…”
“Time to exchange our story then, eh?” He said letting go off my collar but still standing so close to me.
I sighed and buttoned down my shirt, but only halfway. I could tell his eyes widened when I showed him the upper part of my back, lined up with healed bullet holes. “I got betrayed. Seven hunters with seven guns welcomed me back from slumber one morning.”
“You can hide the scars?” he touched one of the healed scars on my back. It doesn’t hurt anymore like it used to, but his fingers felt colder there. “Ohori cast a spell on that?”
I nodded, “Miyazawa and the others saved me. They tried to look for you as well, but the hunters were hard to track and so did finding their HQ.”
His eyes fluttered, “I see…” he then leaned back also on the fence beside me. “She betrayed you then?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” I said firmly. “Especially about her.”
“You should start now.” He said. “She joined the hunters now and she’s here in the city.”
My eyes widened, “She’s here..? What-how-..?”
“A few days ago, about half a year after my escape from their HQ, I visited Micha’s grave, downtown. They’re just there, waiting for me.” He mumbled. “It was your ex that shot me.”
My heart sank upon the name, “Natsumi..?”
Then as if someone heard my voice, a sudden voice thudded from the rooftop door. As if someone was eavesdropping. I looked at Ayato and saw him nodded, then the two of us approached the door…
“You have three seconds to show your face.” I said clearly and coolly. But I was surprised to see the door opened and showed a certain figure. “Anna..?”
(Anna’s POV) “Ayaka…” I fumbled. They noticed my presence and I have no choice to show up from behind the door, Ayaka would forgive me for sure. But I looked at the man, he was slightly taller than Ayaka, about my height. But he was muscular under his hoodies, and his face…
He was beautiful, like a sculpture made out of marble. He was beautiful like Ayaka, except for his short wavy hair.
As if Ayaka noticed my eyes on him, she cleared her throat. “Anna, meet my twin brother, Ayato. Ayato, this is Anna.”
I was too occupied looking deep into his eyes, as if there were lots to tell from the pair of eyes. The deep shade of brown tells off sadness, pain, betrayals… But I also saw great kindness from him…
As if he was reading my mind, he smirked friendlily. “I see you and my sister have built a relationship. Be mindful though, she’s sensitive on some parts especially under-“
“Ayato!” growled Ayaka. She gave his brother a look which was replied with a sly smile formed by his lips. I couldn’t help not to giggle seeing the two siblings teasing each other.
“You never told me you have a brother, what’s more; a twins!” I said to Ayaka.
Ayato raised his eyebrows, “You never told her? That’s very mean of you.”
“I have reasons, Ayato.” Said Ayaka firmly before holding my hand. “She’s not ready.”
Ayato’s eyebrows scrunched up, “Well, it’s time for you to open up now. She’ll know it sooner or later.”
“Ayato.” Said Ayaka once. Her tone sounded dangerous, as if she’s trying to make him back off. Her grip tightened on my hand, it was crushing my fingers.
“A-Ayaka...” I mumbled in pain. “Your grip…”
She snapped out and let go off my fingers in instant, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to!!”
“No, it’s fine...” I smiled weakly, trying to shake off the pain. “But you… Ayato is right, you’d have to tell me. Even if I’d know about it sooner or later.”
Ayaka looked at me in pain, it hurts me to see her that way. It was as if these great memories she has been keeping inside of her all the time, unable to tell it off to anybody. It burdened her for years, I bet.
“But before you do...” said Ayato eyeing something on the distance. I looked at where he was looking and saw two black crows standing on the wiring top of the rooftop fences. “You see what I see?”
I looked over at Ayaka who’s eying the same thing in question, but I saw her smiling grimly at the sight. I was totally confused, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Two crows,” said Ayaka cracking her knuckles. “And none of them cried to each other.”
“You know what I think? One each and sees who gets them faster.” Grinned Ayato.
“Deal,” then they suddenly disappeared into the thin air. I glanced around, trying to spot them and the next thing I knew, they were already on top of the fence. The two crows cried loudly and tried to flew away, but the twins were faster and even Ayato plunged himself to catch one of the crow. He caught it on the leg and smirked as the other hand holds his body hanging on the fence. Then I saw Ayaka eying the crow in her hand, it was screeching loudly now and struggling in her grasp. It was as if Ayaka eying it as dinner.
Once Ayato propelled himself up back to the rooftop, he received the crow from her sister and grasped the two crows in each hand. “You know, it’s been a long time since I have roast crow. Oh yes, I can eat some roasts now so you two better start showing yourself.”
It was as if the two crows understood what he said, the two crows morphed or transformed bigger and bigger. Their black feathers blended in until they turned to black coats…
“Shape shifters.” Said Ayaka half-heartedly. “And I definitely recognized this two.”
The next thing I knew, Ayato was no longer holding two crows. Instead, he was holding two girls dangling upside down by their legs. One girl was struggling to get her glasses not to drop down to the floor, while the other one has simply given up to struggle on Ayato’s grasp.
“Hello, Come and Ame.” Said Ayato. “Caught up with the two of you, eh?”
The girl with the glasses gulped nervously despite being the tallest one, her eyes bulged at the sight of the two vampires. Her eyes peered at me nervously as if trying to say ‘save me!!!’
The other girl, shorter but with longer hair crossed her arms and sighed in annoyance instead. “You do realize that involving a mere human in this business means danger, Umeda? I see you brought it upon one.” She eyed me carefully.
Ayaka stepped in front of me as if she tried to protect me from her eyes, “Don’t you even dare, Ame. You hunters have businesses with us, not her.”
“You know the rule, Umeda Ayaka.” Said Ame. “Know one and be one. Otherwise it’s a death sentence.”
“Is that why you, Hunters killed Nonaka Misato? Because she knew I’m a vampire?” growled Ayato shaking the two shape shifters. “You two are still kids, so better tell me who ordered to fire at Nonaka Misato. And I mean it now.”
“All I can tell you is that she’s in the city.” Said Come nervously. “I swear we weren’t there at the time when you got caught! We’re not involved.”
“Come!!” snarled Ame at her friend for spoiling at the vampires.
“You two weren’t involved, but your Vervain does a great job, eh?” said Ayaka. “You poisoned me, brats.”
My eyes widened, “What? Vervain..? Poison? It was them?”
Ayaka nodded, “I definitely can still remember your scents, brats. One smells like orange and the other one smells like strawberry. You two shape shifted just before I caught you.”
“Vervain?” asked Ayato. “Are you alright then, sis?”
“I’m fine now, thanks to Anna.” Said Ayaka.
“Is that why you got sick…? What do you call it, vervain?”
“I’ll explain it to you later…” Ayaka gave an assuring smile before she turned her attention back to the two young hunters.
“Now, you two…” The twins both eyed them dangerously. Gulping nervously, the hunters glanced at each other. Ayato shook them as he asked. “Your HQ, where is it located?!”
“We don’t know!!” They synchronously said with shaky voices. Ayato shook them harder but the shape shifters weren’t saying anything. Ayaka smirked with a hint of annoyance caused by the hard-headed kids.
“We can’t tell you any location, even we know nothing. Our fellow hunters always pick us up on spot!” Shouted Ame as she rolled her eyes. Pissed, Ayato quickened his pace but they remained silent.
“Hey!!” Come yelled for she was struggling really hard under Ayato’s grasp. “Please slow down! My glasses are going to drop!!”
Ayaka let out a sigh. “Guess we really can’t get anything from them. We’re just wasting time here, Ayato.”
“Yeah, sis. So what’s our plan?”
Ayaka just shrugged her shoulders and reached for my hand again. “I’ll leave the decision in your hands. We’ll get going, I guess. Bye bye…”
Ayaka and I were to leave; I glanced once more to her twin brother. He was eyeing the two girls, but then he sighed as he let go of them. It made a soft thud when the two girls dropped to the floor. Once more, I see them morphed into tiny, feathered crows and they quickly flew away. Ayato soon vanished, too.
I turned my attention to Ayaka who was staring at me. “Doushite?”
She slightly shook her head. “I guess you’re really confused right now. Please come with me, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Looking at her eyes somehow lets me look deeper inside her. It shows pain and nostalgia of the past memories. My lips curved into a smile as I nodded to her suggestion. “Ah! I’ll just drop by the clinic…”
“Okay, then I’ll head first to the faculty room to get my remaining stuff. Let’s meet at the parking area.” Said Ayaka as she gave me a peck on my cheek before we parted ways.
(Natsumi’s POV)I leaned my back on my chair. And so she’s Ijiri Anna. I guess we resemble each other a bit but… I was different from her and so she’s different from me too, in many aspects. I felt restless that why I stood up and tried to walk around the room.
Certain memories of my past occasionally came back into my mind. These memories that I thought were the best ones turned out to be the regretful part of my life. I lived in a warped, delusional world before… when I was still with her… but now I’ve opened my eyes and I saw who they really were – shameless, selfish monsters without a heart.
They’ll make you fall in love. They’ll make you give them everything of you. Then, they’ll suck all of your blood and kill you, leaving you empty and dead.
The last part didn’t happen to me, though, because I was warned beforehand. But the tragic fate was set upon my beloved cousin, Misato. He killed her. That monster. After that incident, I promised to myself that I will exterminate those monsters until my last dying breath.
I stopped in my tracks when something caught my attention.
I went closer to the body lying on the bed and looked intently at the weird mark on her neck. It was a bit covered by her hair that’s why I can’t see it clearly so I tried to brush her hair.
There’s no mistaking it. It’s clearly a vampire’s bite. But who did this to her? The twins? Or another vampire? I need to save her and Ijiri before it’s too late…
“Ano…” I heard her say. “What are you doing, Doctor Matsubara?”
“Erm… Just checking your temperature.” I said as I straightened my clothes. “Are you feeling better now?”
The girl nodded as she sat at the bed. “Kamieda-san, do you believe in mythical creatures?”
“Eh?”
“Mythical creatures like werewolves, shape shifters, vampires…?”
She diverted her eyes away after I posted the question. “Do they really exist? I wonder…”
“I believe that they do exist… isn’t that weird?” I let out a dry laughter then I walked back to my chair and let my body rest on it. Kamieda soon followed, I bet she assured that the scar was hidden.
“Anyways… what happened to your neck?”
“My neck…?”
“Yes.”
“Insect bites.” Answered Kamieda straight-forwardly. She surely thinks fast. My lips curved into a sly smile.
“Please sign this logbook, first, before you go.”
“Thank you so much, Doctor Matsubara.” Kamieda Emika said before leaving the infirmary.
(Anna’s POV)I knocked at the door and shortly, the doctor came out to meet me.
“Oh, Kamieda-san left just a few minutes ago.” Said Dr. Matsubara.
After I heard that, I bade goodbye to the new doctor and I left to meet with Ayaka. I searched inside my pocket for my phone to check if Emika left any message. Oh, there’s nothing. She must’ve forgotten about it so I sent her a text message to check out on her.
Meanwhile, I reached the parking area and Ayaka was already waiting for me outside her car. She doesn’t usually use her car when she visits me and it is really my first time riding on it. Ayaka opened the door for me and I gladly accepted her invitation.
“Where are we going?” I posted up a question.
She smirked. “My apartment.”
“Eh?! Hontou ni?!” I blurted out. I never really asked her about her place so seriously I have no idea where or what it looks like. Does she also sleep inside a coffin like classic vampires on movies?
"No, I do sleep on a normal bed." Answered Ayaka. Without me asking her.
Uwaaaah! Why can she read my mind?! Am I that easy to read?
"Sometimes, you think weird, Anna..."
Seriously, can she always read what I'm thinking??? Kyaaah. Uso! Then that means... YADA!
"And quite perverted in some ways, too." Ayaka's smile widened then she winked at me. This is embarrassing. Seriously.
"Hmph!" I pouted my lips as I looked at the scenery outside the car's window. We were still in the city, so that means she lives normally like a human does.
I kept myself busy looking at the scenery not even to notice that we made a stop at a certain street. It wasn't really far from home but it's not as urban as it is compared to where I live in.
"We're here." pronounced Ayaka. She opened the car door and I stepped out of the car. The warmth of the surroundings welcomed me and she grabbed my hand before dragging me to the door of her apartment. She quickly inserted the key to the lock and opened the door.
It was like a normal, two-storey house. Usual furniture, appliances and other stuff.
"You're hungry?"
I shook my head. "Maybe later."
"I can see you're excited to hear about my past." Letting out a sigh, she tightened her grip on my hand and led me into another place.
It was a basement. But this is the exciting part; it's no normal basement where old stuffs are placed. This is an amazing basement, indeed. We entered inside the large room full of ancient artifacts and weapons, such things seen inside a museum. My eyes almost bulged out of amazement of the sight and I swear my jaw almost dropped.
"Are these—"
"Genuine?" Ayaka nodded. "Remember, I was living for almost a century on this world, it has been my hobby back then to collect things like these..."
“Sugoi!!!” I exclaimed as my eyes roamed around. There were large glass cases where brooches, necklaces, and other jewelries were all lined up. A rack of various swords, from wooden katana up to fancy metallic swords, was displayed, too. Daggers and guns of different sizes were located inside the shelves.
It was all so amazing except for the fact that everything inside this room also possesses memories Ayaka had from her past.
I gave her a warm smile after firmly pressing on her hand. “Tell me, I’ll listen to everything…”
(Ayaka’s POV)Her soft hand pressed mine as she looked deep into my eyes. She wanted the pure truth behind me, I can feel it. That’s why I don’t have any reason to hide it anymore. No matter how painful it is, the truth will always set us free…
FLASHBACKAyato and I were born into this world, almost twelve decades ago… We belong to a poor family. Thirteen years after giving birth to us, our mother became terribly sick, that’s why our father decided to sell us to feudal lords for us to survive…
We were so young back then, our arms were so thin… but that doesn’t stop our new owner to subject us to usual slavery. The two of us lived a life of a ragged slave. We cannot depend on anyone except ourselves.
We weren’t treated like humans anymore. They make us do all the farm work yet they don’t give us enough food. Having our meals three times a day was a rare occasion to us. One more thing, our masters beat us whenever we fail to do what they ordered us to do.
Things lasted for a couple of years, almost six to seven years…
It was that certain occasion, a certain night, when I, alone, was asked to go to my master’s sleeping quarters. It was a rare occasion because I always had Ayato by my side when we are given orders.
And so, as instructed, I went there and knocked on the door.
“Enter.” My master said.
I let the door slide open and slipped myself inside. I bowed before him.
“Come closer.” Ordered him, which I easily did.
I was standing about half a meter away from him when he spoke again, “Closer…”
Taking two steps forward, it felt awkward being so close to him. My master stood up, his chest almost right on my face. He leaned down, shifting his face close to mine and he held my chin so that I was looking at him. I felt uneasy being close to someone who isn’t my twin brother.
“Your face looks so beautiful…” He said as he caressed my face before moving closer and closer to me. Back then, I know nothing about what he was planning to do… but I just don’t like him close to me. I tossed my right hand in the air and it landed on his left cheek giving him a loud slap.
“How dare you!” He didn’t expect it, I bet. He turned his gaze back to me with glaring eyes. A patch of red appeared into his face and he screamed for the guards.
The guards appeared shortly. Even Ayato… Our master ordered the guards to get us and we are to be punished. Struggling wouldn’t really get us anywhere; they are far plenty compared to the two of us.
The guards got us by their hands. Ayato glanced at me with a confused look on his face as if trying to ask me what has happened.
“Beat them and then leave them in the forest to die!! Let nature befall my punishment on them!”
Like what he has ordered. Ayato and I were tied together and was beaten using a whip. It was too painful, enough to make me almost numb…
Our scarred and bruised bodies were brought to the middle of the forest. The guards left us there with devilish grins on their faces…
“Ayato, gomen ne…” I managed to speak softly to my twin brother. “I just can’t let master get close to me.”
“You did great, sis… His red cheek sure hurts.” He smiled at me. I never noticed that I was already crying…
“Is this… our end?” That was what I was thinking at that moment. That this is our last moment.
Ayato wiped my tears away and then he brushed my hair with his fingers. “I don’t know, Ayaka. I’m still hoping that we can survive—”
Then, an unusual sound was heard. As if someone was watching us through the thick bushes…
My heart pounded loudly. I reached for Ayato’s hand and gently held it. In case that is a wild animal, I don’t think there’s any chance of escape. Our limbs were not functioning at all and so we can’t even stand upright…
Inside my mind, I was praying…
Slowly, I feel all my muscles stiffen. I bet Ayato was feeling the same because his body leaned on mine for support. My body felt too heavy that I wanted to sleep already… but I was afraid to close my eyes… because if I do, this may really be our end.
Through our hazy vision, we vaguely saw a figure stepping out of the bushes.
It was not any wild animal; instead it was a tall woman with short, spiky hair, wearing a black coat. At first, I thought it was an assassin sent by master to assure our death.
But it turns out that I was wrong…
When the woman walked towards us, she grinned and it showed off her fangs.
It was a creature far more dangerous than any wild animal… Lately, this creature has been a talk of the town. People say that they’re killing humans by drinking its blood until it’s drained to the last drop.
We are surely unfortunate. This is really the end…
Little by little, the distance between us shrunk. She stared deep into my eyes as if it’s looking into my soul.
In my mind, there was a very little hope that we’ll still be saved…
The woman moved her face close to mine and whispered, “Do you still… wish to live?”
“Yes…” I managed to answer. “Will you save us? Or rather, kill us?”
The mysterious woman sniffed at my neck. “Whatever it is that you wish…”
“Save us… please…”
After I uttered those words, I felt the woman’s fangs digging deep into my neck. I can still feel it as she sucked and started drinking my blood. My strength slowly draws away until I feel my eyelids closing by itself gently.
The next thing I knew… I woke up to the sight of Ayato chattering with the woman from last night. We were in an unfamiliar place. It was weird because it felt like I was inside a new body. All of my bruises from the previous night were gone. The two of them soon noticed me…
“You sure got plenty of rest, I bet.” The woman smiled at me as she approached closer. “Let me introduce myself first, I’m Miyazawa Sae…”
“I’m Umeda Ayaka.” I sat up and shook her cold hand. “Thank you for saving us…”
“Well, I haven’t explained the matter to you yet.” Said Miyazawa as she scratched the back of her head. “But before that… I guess you are hungry. You were asleep for almost three days.”
“Eh?! Three days??” Then, as if on cue, my stomach growled loudly. Ayato and Miyazawa roared into laughter making me want to hide my face out of embarrassment.
“Guess that answers it…” Miyazawa said as she reached for a golden chalice and hand it over to me. “Douzo…”
Looking over the chalice, my eyes almost bulged out. “W—What’s this?!”
“Blood.” Ayato was the one who answered my question. “Guess what, we’re vampires now, Sis.”
“Vampires…?”
Everything started from there. Miyazawa-san and Ayato explained everything to me. At first, it was really confusing for me, how things have changed that easy. Ayato has quickly coped up with the situation. After I drank the blood from the golden chalice, it indicated the beginning of the acceptance of my new fate.
Miyazawa Sae became our guardian. She told us up to the minimal details of being a vampire, including the benefits and the dangers of being one. She also introduced us to the circle of vampire friends that she has. All of them were nice actually.
She introduced us to someone in particular, Ohori Megumi-san. She’s a vampire, too, but there’s more to it, she’s also interested in studying spells and casting them. She was very important to the vampire community because she can help them adjust to their surroundings by her spells.
We lived like normal vampires for a long time. Hunting at nighttime, sleeping during the day… we have watched how the world changed for a hundred years. We don’t usually stay long at a certain place, because our bodies age really slow compared to a human body, and doing so will arise suspicion. The three of us lived together and travelled all along the country looking for some new place to stay. Slowly, I began to embrace my new life…
END OF FLASHBACK
Anna listened to me carefully, I can clearly read her mind but what fascinates me is the expression she’s showing on her face. It suddenly felt nostalgic, having told the story of my past and being inside a room full of old stuff.
“So you keep in touch with Miyazawa-san until now?” Asked Anna.
“Hai. She’s with the others. They’ve been searching for Ayato but to no avail. Good thing I’ve found him now...” Squeezing her hand, I winked at her to tease her. “And I’ve found you.”
She blushed instantly and was trying to hold her smile. “Continue with your story!!”
And that’s what I did.
FLASHBACKNothing really unusual happened for many years. My normal life lasted until I met her. Yes, I mean Natsumi.
It was a certain night that summer many years ago, when our paths crossed. By that time, we recently moved to a place away the city – to a place near the sea. I was hunting that night, and so is Ayato while Sae was visiting her friend, Akimoto Sayaka-san.
Being in a less-populated and remote place like this somehow made my hunting easier. I saw few animals lurking around, near the beach.
I lunged myself near the prey and grabbed it forcefully. It struggled upon my grasp but I was fast, I plunged my fangs on the poor meat.
As I was in the act, I heard soft footsteps behind me.
“Uh, excuse me… You’re new here, right?”
The person said. It was too late to escape because she already caught me in act. I remained motionless with my back facing the person.
“Please bury that thing properly.” Said the person.
“Eh?” I was surprised by her words.
“I mean, it will be a nice natural fertilizer for herbs.”
Puzzled, I looked at the person. When our eyes met, I’ve never seen any surprise or fear in hers. That caught my interest. Has she seen a vampire before? Why isn’t she afraid?
“Are you not afraid…?”
She lightly shook her head. “Why would I be?”
“Because I—”
“I have read about vampires before. And since I saw you getting contented by consuming animal blood, I think you’re harmless for now.” The girl walked closer. It was then when I noticed our height difference.
She grabbed the dead body from my hands and asked me to follow her. We walked a short distance to a place where there are various plants. “Please bury the dead bodies here. This is where I usually get herbs. One more thing… there’s a nearby forest here and there’s an overpopulation of rabbits there. Maybe you can help solve the problem.”
I nodded and made a hole on the ground where I dumped the dead animal. She smiled at me as she thanked me. Then, she reached for me and using her handkerchief, she wiped the remaining blood from my lips. My fangs disappeared in an instant and I felt my heart beating really fast.
“What’s your name?” Asked the girl.
“Umeda Ayaka.”
“I’m Matsubara Natsumi.” She offered her hand and I shook it. “Yoroshiku…”
Natsumi, I’ll definitely remember that name, especially when summer and sea comes into my mind.
The two of us meet every night by the beach. We became closer and closer until we became best friends. Natsumi told me many things about herself, including her interest in collecting herbs and other stuff about biology. I told her many things about me too and how I lived for almost a century. Natsumi also told me about her cousin and her painful past, the death of her parents and her cousin’s parents when they were younger. She told me how they lived together and how they managed to survive.
Natsumi was my first love. I was contented just by having her beside me. I never imagined getting our relationship into the next level since I highly doubt that she feels the same for me.
But, one night… Natsumi approached me with bothered eyes. I asked her what’s the matter about but then she confronted me with a question I never imagined happening.
“What would you do if I leave?”
I was speechless. The thought made my heart painful.
“Ayaka, I need you to answer.”
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere far.”
“Why? For what reason?” I asked her. Natsumi remained silent for a moment.
“Do you want me to stay? Or you want me to go?”
“I’ll support your decision—”
“Without considering my decision and my reason, what do you want me to do?”
“Of course…” I looked away trying to hide my face. “I’ll be sad if you leave. But that’s too selfish of me.”
“A relative of mine offered us a scholarship in a good school in Tokyo, she said I can study any course that I want and that goes the same for my cousin. My cousin doesn’t want to leave but she was pursuing me because she knows about my dream… If they offered it to me before I wouldn’t have any doubts and I’ll surely go for it. But now… I’m having doubts.”
“Why?” I felt my throat suddenly dry. It was painful inside my chest. “If you really want it, you should go for it…”
“But there’s one thing that I want more than that…” I looked back at her. She stared at me deeply as if trying to look inside my heart. “And that is to be with you always. Because… I love you.”
It felt unbelievable. My heart raced after hearing her words. I’m sure I was blushing very red. Natsumi asked me a question. “Do you like me, Ayaka?”
I shook my head. “No, it was more than just liking you. Natsumi, I love you.” I answered before leaning my face close to hers. We shared our first kiss.
Because of that, Natsumi didn’t accept her relative’s offer and decided to stay. The following night, I asked her out to meet Ayato since Sae was still away. I also asked her to bring her cousin with her so that I can meet her too.
She was easily accepted by Ayato. The suggestion that the cousins start to live with us in the same house came up. It surprised me actually, but I liked the suggestion because I will have more time with Natsumi. The two of them accepted the suggestion and the following day, they moved into our house.
Days have been happier since then. We sometimes quarrel over little things but at the end of the day, we’ll reconcile and everything will be back to normal. My brother and her cousin became close too. Months passed and things have been like this.
It lasted until one afternoon, Ayato and Misato decided to go hike on a mountain. So that leaves the two of us alone in the house.
“What do you want for dinner?” I asked Natsumi.
“Anything. You?”
“I don’t really mind about what I eat.” I flashed a smile at her. “I just want to cook for you tonight.”
“Why acting so sweet suddenly?” Asked Natsumi. I just pouted my lips at her. “Just kidding.”
In the end, I cooked her favorite food and we shared the same dinner. No hunting for me tonight. No collecting herbs for her. We just let time pass as we laid on the bed, talking about our plans for the future.
“You know, Misato likes your brother.” She suddenly brought up that topic.
“I’m certain that Ayato likes her, too.”
“Really? Then, that’s good news…” Natsumi let out a sigh as she caressed my hand. “I want to be with you forever, Ayaka… but I don’t think it would be possible.”
“Why not? We love each other, right?”
“Yes… but as I’m growing old, you’ll remain like that. I want to share my future with you.”
I held her hand tight. I haven’t thought about that thing before. I want the same thing as what she wishes. But I don’t know what to do.
“Let’s get married.” I blurted out suddenly. Her eyes widened as she looked at me, as if trying to read if it’s a joke or I was serious. “I’m serious.”
“I want to. But we’re both… girls.” Natsumi proposed a temporary solution for our problems as she let out a sigh again. “Let’s pretend that we didn’t talk about those things. Let’s not plan for our future… Let it come our way. For now, we should enjoy what we have.”
She snuggled close to me. I love the warm feeling when she draws close to me. “Okay…”
When she wrapped her arms around my body, it eventually made me feel warm.
“Ayaka…” I really like it when I hear her sweet voice calling my name. I never saw it coming, Natsumi shifted her face, closing the distance between us and allowing our lips to touch. The contact made my heart skip a beat, making my head spin as we kissed.
I didn’t manage to control my feelings. My body acted on its own, making my hands roam around her body. Natsumi was submissive to my actions, neither did she complain nor stop me. Maybe she wanted this too.
That night, we both decided to give each other our everything.
The morning after, I woke up beside Natsumi. She wore a smile on her lips as she slept. I was certain that I made her happy last night… Few minutes later, she woke up and greeted me like what she usually does. For a short moment, we remained lying on the bed as we stayed snuggling close to one another.
“Maybe we should get dressed… I don’t want Ayato and Misato to see us like this.” I suggested and she agreed with a smile.
The whole morning passed but there weren’t any sign of Ayato and Misato yet. We were starting to get worried that’s why she decided to check them out at the town proper.
Natsumi returned home mad and with teary eyes. I asked her what the matter was but she ended up screaming and crying in front of me.
“Hey! Calm down, Natsumi!” I reached for her hand but she just shrugged it off.
“How can I?! Misato’s dead!!” The revelation struck my heart. It was almost unbelievable but it doesn’t look like it was some kind of joke or something. “And what’s more? It was your brother who killed her!”
She said before breaking down into tears.
My brother? But how…? Ayato wouldn’t do something like that. He loves Misato…
“W—What…?” I muttered.
“Misato… is dead. Ayato killed her and now he has escaped…” Repeated Natsumi.
My mind was having a hard time processing what she said. It was so unbelievable that her words are enough to choke me up…
Natsumi just remained crying as I walked closer and tried to touch her but she just shrugged my hand off and ran for the door. “Don’t even try to follow me!!” She warned before slamming the door close.
I remained waiting for her all day until nighttime when she came home with red, puffed eyes. “I’m sorry about earlier…” She immediately said.
I walked close to her and embraced her. “I know you’re not okay right now… But I promise we’ll get over this soon… I’ll find my twin and he’ll bring light to the matter. I just can’t believe that he killed Misato and escaped.”
“Yet he did. I’ve seen the marks on Misato’s neck…”
I patted her back and assured her that we’ll solve the matter once she got herself back together. She agreed and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for both of us…
It suddenly felt awkward. Things tend to change really fast sometimes…
We had our dinner and she brought in a pot of tea because she said she wanted some so that she can possibly sleep…
She handed over a cup to me and I sipped the tea. Natsumi immediately emptied her cup and got a refill. After I finished mine, we went to our room and laid ourselves on the soft bed.
Natsumi sighed as she faced me. “If only last night didn’t end…”
There was great sadness and pain painted in her eyes. I want to erase it because I can’t bear seeing her like that but the sudden turn of events was out of my control. I’m sad about Misato’s death and one more thing; I was seriously worried about Ayato. What could’ve happened to him? And where is he right now?
I don’t know if those problems made my body react differently…
But I feel a sudden burning sensation inside my throat. It felt unusually cold and I know I was shaking…
“Are you alright?” Asked Natsumi. I nodded in affirmation.
“Let’s sleep?” I suggested. I can’t tell her what I’m feeling because I don’t want to add up to her burdens right now.
I can feel that my muscles are suddenly stiff, even my breathing became hard… Maybe I just really need to sleep…
As my body was resting, my subconscious mind remained active…
I’m now inside a forest, alone, when I heard someone running towards my way. She was screaming, panting and was in total panic. Then, I realized that the person was Misato…
As if she wasn’t seeing me, she passed by my way and hid behind a tree. Few seconds later, I saw Ayato walking towards us too. He had a devilish grin on his face. “Misato! You can run but you can never hide from me!”
I glanced at Misato, she was crying while crouched on the ground. Ayato was coming closer and closer to her. I tried to hold Ayato to stop him but I just pass through his body, as if I was an apparition.
It was too late for Misato to escape because he was already standing behind her. Bracing his hands around her body, he sniffed at her neck. Then, his fangs pierced through the skin and he began drinking her blood. Her body slowly weakens and she slouched on him for support but he didn’t mind and just continued on his act.
Then suddenly, bullets flew in all directions. It struck both Ayato and Misato several times and they both fell to the ground, dead and bathing in their own blood.
Even I was hit by many bullets… It felt true because it was really painful…
I woke up from my dream to the sight of seven persons wearing masks and pointing their guns towards me. I can’t move at all because I’m already hit by plenty of silver bullets.
Then another person came and pointed her gun right at my chest. She pulled the trigger and the bullet pierced through my body. My eyelids felt so heavy, I was about to close my eyes but before I do, I vaguely saw the last person remove her mask…
My heart sunk and it felt like I was going to die. “N—Natsumi… Why…?”
That moment, I thought I was going to die but then I woke up and found out that Miyazawa luckily came and saved me. It happened that Akimoto-san came along and had been a great help to us…
She immediately brought me to Ohori-san to help in healing my wounds.
I woke up with bandages covering my chest and back, even my legs have been hit by the silver bullets probably to assure that I cannot escape. The injuries were still painful but the worst thing is when I saw Natsumi shot me. It somehow made an invisible hole inside my heart. Whenever I think about it, the thought always bring me back to tears. Her betrayal was the most painful thing I received…
Miyazawa and the others did their best to find Ayato. They’re quite having thoughts that the hunters caught him but their HQ was too hard to track. Years passed without me having any news about Ayato and Natsumi… I did my best to move on… and gladly succeeded. Then, I finally met you…
END OF FLASHBACK
(Anna’s POV)I never knew that she had suffered so much before…
“Anna, gomen ne… You got yourself in danger because of me.” Ayaka let go of my hand and reached over the bottom shelf. She pulled out a wooden box and opened it to reveal an old pistol. “Keep this thing… and use it when needed.”
“What is this for?” I asked as I received the object from her. It wasn’t as heavy as expected but it was my first time holding a gun.
“For protection. They’ll now keep an eye on you, too.” Warned Ayaka.
Slightly nodding my head, I slid it inside my jeans’ pocket and glanced at my watch. “I didn’t notice the time… I still have classes tomorrow.”
“You can spend the night here. We’ll go to school together tomorrow…” Suggested Ayaka with a smile. I agreed to her suggestion.
For the first time, she cooked dinner for me. It really made me happy.
After watching the stars on the balcony, we decided to retire to bed… I took a quick shower first and had a change of clothes which I borrowed from her (her bigger clothes, though) as she took a shower…
Ayaka shortly came out of the bathroom. Seeing her like that somehow makes me think that she’s a normal human. She flashed a smile as she sat at the edge of the bed.
“Let’s sleep?” She asked. I hovered above the soft mattress and she lay beside me.
“Ayaka… Can I ask you something?”
“Hm?” She turned her head towards me,
“Do you regret your life?”
She shook her head then she winked at me. “Because I met you…”
“Seriously?!” I swear I was blushing very red right now.
“But I am serious!” She pouted her lips. It was seriously cute!
I cannot contain the surge of emotion that overflowed out of my heart… I leaned closer and kissed her.
It startled her, I bet. Before I knew it, I moved on top of her as we kissed passionately. She was respondent but when I tried to get my shirt out of the way; she held my hand and stopped me.
“We need to get up early tomorrow…” She said softly. She has a point there. I lay back on her side, still panting from the momentary encounter. Ayaka brushed my hair… She smiled at me before giving me a kiss on my forehead. “Sweet dreams, Anna…”
“You too…” I returned her smile and closed my eyes happily.
(Ayato’s POV)
“This will get me nowhere.” I murmured as I observed the two shape shifters move from one place to another. They knew that I was following them… Of course, they will try to mislead me. For now, I’ll leave Come and Ame to their own businesses.
For the meantime, I wanted to check out on Emika.
Jumping through the roofs, it was just a short matter of time before I reached her house… Emika was on her desk, reading a book, when I knocked at the window…
She didn’t expect me to appear suddenly but she let me enter.
“Hey…” I climbed over swiftly. “Just wanted to check you out.”
“I’m fine.” Responded Emika. “You want to eat? I still have some stew.”
“Gee, I miss you stew…” I commented.
Emika led the way down the stairs, followed by me up to the kitchen. She got the pot of stew and turned the electric stove on. Leaning over the wall, I intently watched Emika’s actions.
After I rejected her confession, Emika slowly distanced herself away from me as if trying to draw her feeling away. Her sudden change really bothered me. I kept on thinking about her when I don’t see her. And when I’m with her, I wanted to reach for her and make her look at me like what she has always done before.
“Nee, Emika…”
“Yes?” She didn’t even look at me and kept herself busy in preparing the stew.
I approached closer and hugged her from behind. “Please let me protect you.”
She was surprised by actions yet she managed to keep her composure. “Protect me from what?”
“From any form of danger.” I answered firmly before tightening the embrace.
“You’re just making things hard for me.” She answered coldly. But I was persistent; I will make her agree with me.
“Just let me protect you. I swear I won’t let anyone hurt you, Emika.”
She didn’t speak but she nodded lightly. Ayato, you are selfish. You said you will not let anyone hurt her, yet it was you who keep on hurting her.
(Ayaka’s POV)The next morning, the two of us woke up early and did the usual morning routine. We rode my car on the way to school...
Anna was a bit cautious and had me drop her off to a nearby department store.
I did what she said and drove the remaining distance to the parking area of the school.
As soon as I stopped the car, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of it. The wind blew my hair but it was not the reason why I remained standing still...
It was because I was standing face to face with her. I didn't know what to feel at that moment.
"Natsumi..."TBC...
Thank you for reading~
Topic: ~ame's OS domain~ Bloodstained: Part 8 (AyakAnna) 05/02/2016 (Read 61928 times)