The new saviour
Mafuyu slowly opened her eyes. Yes, there it was. This girl was sleeping, without any care in the world. The prey was next to her and she could just suck the blood. But she couldn’t. She could just stare at this sleeping beauty, not knowing what to do.
Mafuyu was saved by a knock on the door. The vampire should be waiting by now. Mafuyu sighed, as this was going to be a long night.
The purple haired girl tried to get up, but she slowly discovered that she couldn’t. When she turned, she saw that Kanade already had a strong grip on her hand. Mafuyu began to feel scared; what if Kanade found out? But analyzing her breath, she came to a simple conclusion. Kanade was probably dreaming, nothing to see.
Slowly, trying not to wake the white haired girl up from her sleep, Mafuyu freed herself from the grip. It wasn’t like she wanted to do this, but that vampire was going to break her door if she continues to be late.
When she got near the door, Mafuyu sneaked a last look at Kanade. Her white hair was spread all across the pillow, her hand gripping the mattress and she slowly muttering some nonsensical words…she was really that innocent, wasn’t she? With a last smile, Mafuyu opened the door and made her leave.
She was right about the situation. The vampire with pink hair was already kind of concerned. She used the name “Mizuki” as a cover up, seeming like she used to be called that.
“Mafuyu! I thought that you were really killed or something! You should announce little old me before you do this again!”
Mafuyu rolled her eyes and the girl began to laugh. This was just a joke, after all, and they both knew it.
“Anyway, Mafuyu, I bought some food for you. You should really go hunting again, you know.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Mafuyu’s stomach was begging her for some vampire food after Kanade’s appearance.
“I let it on your kitchen table, you know where. Ah, and I almost forgot the most important part!”
Mafuyu was surprised. What important part…? “What…what do you mean?”
Mizuki never said this word before. If it was important, then Mafuyu needed to hear.
“Ah, yes, Mafuyu. I’ve heard that the Hermits rose again! And, to add to it, my spies discovered that they want to ask for help from the spirit realm!”
Mafuyu felt more sick and sick with every word. What…what was this?! They’re going to die, and even quickly! How did the Hermits even rise…? Weren’t they killed a thousand years ago?
“Mizuki…how did they rise?”
“I don’t…I don’t know. General Shizuku-chan asked for a meeting. I’ll tell you the details when she decides.”
This situation explained Mizuki’s anxious state quite well. Even Hinomori-san didn’t know what to do…Mafuyu closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down a little.
“Do…do you want a glass of blood?”
Mizuki already rushed to the counter and took a glass that had some water in it in her hands, ready to pour blood in it.
“No, no, it’s ok. It’s ok.”
This shook Mafuyu to her core. It wasn’t like she really liked this life, but it was that she could remember a time when someone helped her to. Someone forced themselves to help her, to save her from her misery. She couldn’t remember their face, their name, their hands…but she could remember warm memories of a far away world. Maybe this was only her imagination and needed to be loved. Maybe it really happened. But Mafuyu needed to honor that promise she made. She’ll live. Or at least, she’ll try. But this…this wasn’t what she wanted!
“Mizuki. I’m good. Thank you.”
This convinced Mizuki to let the glass down on the table. Mafuyu needed to make Mizuki leave. And even quick. It wasn’t a good situation and acting panicked in front of her won’t give Mafuyu anything.
“At least you’re still calm. Good then. Goodbye! And take care of you!”
“I will!” Or at least, she’ll try.
When Mizuki left the house, Mafuyu sighed and fell on a chair. She couldn’t die. That person made her realise this. And Kanade…Mafuyu knew that she needed to leave. But Kanade was…she couldn’t explain it, but Kanade was…warm. Just like summer. Every time she touched Mafuyu’s hands, she could feel her heart becoming warmer and warmer. Kanade seemed to be like the person from her distant memories, but Mafuyu quickly dismissed the thought. No, it couldn’t be it. She’ll be too sad if she guessed wrong.
“Mafuyu?”
Kanade’s warm voice woke Mafuyu from her thoughts. She looked around and soon enough saw the girl closing her door, still moving calmy.
“Kanade…? You’re…awake?”
“My throat feels dry. I should drink something.”
So she didn’t hear anything. Mafuyu smiled and went to fill a glass with water.
“What are you doing up at this hour, Mafuyu?”
“Oh, I drank a glass of water as well. Don’t worry.” Mizuki already left that glass on the table, so it was proof.
Mafuyu was the one that needed to worry, not Kanade. Her head was spinning and her feet began to feel weaker and weaker. This wasn’t the plan. She promised something! The glass fell from her hand and she closed her eyes, squeezing them. She…she…
“Mafuyu? Are you good?” Kanade's voice was weak, like they were talking in a storm.
This was horrible! Kanade will probably die as well! And look at her, still waiting to be saved once again! Why, why, why…?! She didn’t even need someone to save her! She was already sure that her ending was…but no! Why wouldn't she be let to…to…
Slowly, she felt a pair of hands on her waist. They seemed like they were from another world, not from this one.
“Concentrate on my voice. Breath…breath…”
Mafuyu tried to respect what the voice said. She messed up one time. And another one. And another one. But slowly, she regained her calm ritm. Now, she could clearly feel those warm hands around her waist. It felt like the storm that was Mafuyu’s thoughts passed.
“Come after me,” said Kanade, slowly enough for Mafuyu to understand. She took her hand, a hand that was many times full of blood, but now experienced a gentle touch that reflected nothing but care.
Mafuyu nodded and followed Kanade to the bedroom. Kanade made sure that she was well placed and she slowly covered her with her blanket, then also got under it.
This kind of warmth…she could only remember it as a distant and almost forgotten memory. She never thought that she’ll experience it. After all, the other vampires weren’t so good at this kind of thing.
She turned face to face to Kanade and closed her eyes, just not to see that innocent face. She was protected one time. Now, it was her turn to do something. She couldn’t wait for someone to save her in this situation. She needed to save herself and Kanade…
“Thank you,”she muttered.
“There’s no need.”
“Sleep well.”
This time, Mafuyu really felt tired. It was strange for a vampire to need sleep, but look at her now. Slowly, she fell asleep, listening to Kanade’s calm breath.
All of this felt like a dream. A good one.
She dreamt of a different time, of a different world. Like every night, the girl took Mafuyu’s hand that was instantly filled with warmth. The girl was in the dark, like a phantom. Mafuyu smiled as the girl squeezed her hand, harder and harder. Look at her will to live. Look at the person that managed to keep her alive. She would do anything, even showing her true self for that person.
But the girl did something unexpected. She came closer. With every step, Mafuyu felt happier and happier. Even so, the girl’s face remained in the dark, like a reminder that Mafuyu couldn’t remember her. Or that she was only a result of her own imagination, an image that her brain invented just to keep her alive. Suddenly, the girl stopped.
“Don’t stop,” said the girl, pronouncing every word with kindness. “Please.”
This was the first time Mafuyu heard her voice. She looked surprised and quickly decided to say something. “I won’t. Thank you.”
Even if this was just a dream, Mafuyu knew that she wouldn’t give up. Even if the Hermits and the spirits came, she’ll try to fight and to live. Just for this girl, who spoke so kindly and calmly. Just for this phantom, that couldn’t exist.
The girl disappeared, transforming in a red-ish smoke. Mafuyu tried to touch it, but it quickly flew away. Mafuyu was, once again, left alone, in that dark scenery that she knew too well. Mafuyu closed her eyes, wanting this dream to end. She sat down, feeling sad and tired. She couldn’t touch her even now. She couldn’t remember her face and her voice…
Mafuyu sighed. She heard her voice today, but it was…she couldn’t locate it in a time or place. But no. This wasn’t it. She could. She could and the possibility was slim. But what if she really was…?
Mafuyu woke up and quickly got up. It was morning already, wanting to forget that nightmare. She was tricked to think that it would be something happy, but…it was all her own dream, after all. She should've expect it.
Mafuyu turned to see Kanade. She was still sleeping calmly. Mafuyu smiled, then began to think about general Hinomori-san’s meeting. At the end, Mafuyu was forced to participate. She was a high-ranked vampire, powerful enough to stay in the sun. Another time, she will be honored. But this time, just looking at Kanade made her rethink. What if the Hermits attack when she’s away? What if Kanade dies? What if…she turns in smoke?
Mafuyu sighed. Look at her life. She was one of the most powerful vampires who could make every human her puppet, but she was still bound to things she shouldn’t be. If she transforms Kanade into a puppet right now, she would make her inhuman. Mafuyu trembled thinking about it. She didn’t want Kanade to be just a tool. She was her own person and she can’t make her the girl in her dream, either. But maybe, she can be that saviour. Maybe Mafuyu can save someone, just one time. Just one time, to honor her own saviour.
But the vibe Kanade gave her was the same as her saviour’s. Calm, collected…no, she already made her mind. She will be too sad if Kanade isn’t really what she wanted her to be. She doesn’t want to force Kanade in a role that she’ll be comfortable with. But even so, Kanade made her think of the girl in her dreams.
The white haired girl woke up shortly after, her blue eyes scanning the place. Mafuyu observed the peace on her face: she was safe. Or at least, Mafuyu can keep this impression to her. It was for the better in the longer run.
“Mafuyu,” said Kanade, when her eyes met hers. “Did you sleep well?”
Mafuyu nodded. It was a lie, once again. “Did you have good dreams?”
Kanade smiled. “Yes. I had.”
Mafuyu waited for Kanade to get up, then maybe her way to the kitchen. She looked at the glass of water that was left on the table, the single thing that signalitated what happened earlier. She took it and hid it in the cabinet, closing the door quickly. No. She shouldn’t think of that all over again.
Kanade made her way as well and smiled when she saw Mafuyu. The purple haired girl looked at her. That innocent eyes, that beautiful hair, her pale skin…she could also be a model. Mafuyu asked herself why she wasn’t married already. Or maybe she was, but she hid her ring.
The two of them sat on the table, in silence. Mafuyu experimented many times with a completely silent dinner, but this one wasn’t signaling tension, but calm and care. It was the type of atmosphere Mafuyu could dream of another time, but now she was living it. But even so, she can't remain in this silence for long.
Something in the back of Mafuyu’s head was stopping her from experiencing it fully. The question in her head persisted and was truly pressing. If Kanade was really married, then…then what? Why was she so interested in this girl anyway? Just because she makes her think of her saviour? There’s nothing more there. But even so, the question was in the back of her head. She should ask it. What if she was truly her saviour? She needed to know.
“Kanade…”began Mafuyu, balancing her words. The white haired girl turned her eyes to her. She should think before she speaks more. “Are you…married?”
“Married? No, I’m not. Marriage just isn’t for me,” said Kanade, after a moment of thinking.
Mafuyu found herself releasing a breath. So she wasn’t.
“Oh, I get it. I feel the same here,” Mafuyu said casually.
The white haired girl nodded and continued to eat her food in silence. Mafuyu tried not to think of anything related to her, but her brain couldn’t obbey. The possibility was slim. That girl was probably dead. No one will live this much, then go at her knowing what she really is now. No one from her past. The girl will probably be terrified of her.
Mafuyu hated herself just for thinking that. This wasn’t something to be proud of. But in the end, it wasn’t really a choice she made.
“Mafuyu?”said Kanade, her voice waking the vampire from her thoughts.
“Yes? I’m listening.”
“Do you still have any familly?”
“No.”
This was the truth. She didn’t have anyone left. Mafuyu couldn’t picture her family, even if she tried. Everytime, she felt a sentiment of coldness, like a wall that tried to make her stop from trying to remember bad memories. The other vampires didn’t have that problem, as Mafuyu heard Mizuki and Hinomori-san talk freely about how they tried to remember how their sisters looked. But if Mafuyu’s brain didn’t want her to remember anything, maybe it was for the better. Who knew what kind of people her parents were?
Kanade nodded. “Me either.” Her voice contained sadness, like it hurt to think about it. This meant that she had, at least, a happy family at one point.
When they finished eating, Mafuyu had an idea. If the Hermits were going to attack when she was away, she could at least show Kanade this town. It would help her escape, even if this meant that Mafuyu will never have the chance to see her again.
“Kanade, do you like to visit this town?”
Kanade stopped from looking out the window, her white hair falling on her back. “Probably yes. I don’t even know where I am.”
Mafuyu suppressed a smile, then took Kanade’s hands in hers. The white haired girl looked surprised at her, but it quickly transformed into happiness.
They left the house still holding hands. Maybe Mafuyu should let Kanade go, once and for all. But looking at her bright smile and feeling her gentle hands touch hers, Mafuyu didn’t know what to do.