Souls In Hiding

The Phantom and Vampire

Throwing on his dark blue cloak the boy shut and locked the door behind him, saying goodbye to his carer currently working on the town's paper on the latest news. The wanted kid slipped amongst the shadows as he made his way to the market to buy any food he could afford with the little money he and his uncle made. He couldn't help but chuckle as he walked past garlic wreath after garlic wreath, created to keep away vampires since they were considered the most cunning beings out of all known creatures in existence. 

Shuichi soon reached the market and was about to remove his hood to appear less suspicious before seeing something quite intriguing: a purple orb floating in the air in front of him. Assuming his eyes were playing tricks on him, Shuichi tried to ignore it and continue into the market but was stopped by a non-existent wall. Laughter floated around him, mocking him as he flicked his head around, trying to figure out who or what was laughing at him and why he couldn't walk through this specific area.

After a minute of this confusion Shuichi quickly realised what the orb must be and got quite defensive. He puffed his chest out in confidence in front of the purple glow and frowned in frustration before decided to whisper, barely moving his mouth in case a passer-by noticed anything strange.

"Leave me alone ghostie."

"Ooo we have a tough guy on our hands!" The disembodied voice laughed again. Suddenly, the boy's lips had been parted by an unseen force to reveal two sharp fangs as the voice continued. "Oh my look what we have here~ A vampire~?"

Shuichi jumped back, clenching his mouth shut again and whisper-yelling. "Can you say that any louder?! Are you trying to get us killed? All you ghosts are the same, you hate everyone unlike your kind."

"What?" The orb swished away behind a pillar so only Shuichi could watch it fade into a small, humanoid figure. "I don't hate you, can't speak for other phantom's though. I just want to have a little fun since, you know, we're kind of being hunted." The now fully opaque boy tried to put on a happy front, but Shuichi could tell his accusation hurt the phantom.

"Sorry... I guess I got too defensive..." Shuichi awkwardly chuckled. "Anyway I'm here for food not a chat so good luck around here." Before he could walk away, the smaller boy grabbed a pale arm and kept it close, allowing violet eyes to stare mischievously into glowing, golden ones.

"Awe, not gonna stick around~?"

"Why would I? It's dangerous to be outside." Shuichi replied matter-of-factly. 

"To have fun! Duh! You can't just stay holed up for all eternity, aren't you vampires immortal anyway? Have some fun in your long life!" 

"I have enough fun at home on my own thank you very much." The kid with deep violet and grey hair grinned at the vampire before Shuichi stuttered from embarrassment. He would blush if he had the blood to do so. "Th-that's not what I meant!"

"Suuuuure~ Anyway watch this!" The purplette jumped back behind the pillar and floated out as an orb again. Shuichi watched as the phantom glided over to a stall full of apples, remaining unnoticed by the lowly humans bustling in the market. The unknown boy picked up an apple which made it seem to float on its own around the purple orb which was now noticed by the market vendor as she screamed for help.

"Ghost! Someone help!" She screamed as everyone around her started to run.

Both orb and apple hurried above the stall before fading back into the boy's normal body and laughing at the idiotic beings below him. "Thank you for the treat~! Best be off now~" He threw the apple up and flew after it, not needing to transform into an orb to fly as he disappeared around a corner, followed by a few humans with pitchforks and burning torches.

Shuichi watched in awe from behind the cloak hood he had pulled over his head again, impressed but concerned for the foolish boy's actions. He sighed and turned to leave the market for another, less dangerous day before being stopped by a familiar face. "Going somewhere so soon? I haven't even got your name yet vampire." The purplette grinned, throwing the apple in the air and catching it over and over.

"Why? Want to turn me in?" Shuichi grinned.

"Hmm, I don't know, I might~" The unknown boy grinned back.

"I'm Shuichi, what about you ghostie?" 

"Kokichi. You have a nice name Shuichi." Kokichi winked at the vampire.

"U-uh thank... you..." He stuttered out causing a laugh from the new friend. Kokichi threw the apple he stole at Shuichi who fumbled as he caught it. "Why are you giving me this?"

"You're out to get food right? Take it."

"But it's yours."

"Not anymore it's not!" Kokichi grinned as he rested his hands behind his head. The two noticed how much each others company was cheering them up in this horrifying century and found themselves wishing for more until they were interrupted by the loud, familiar bell of despair.

"Nice catching up with you Kokichi but we should both hide." Kokichi's face was contrastingly serious as he nodded and bolted into the shadows to his hiding place as Shuichi hurried home to his uncle. The bell that was sounding around the town was a heavenly noise for humans, but for the supernatural beings that were left it meant death and culling of their species.

Shuichi hurried to lock the door behind him and dropped the apple on a table near the door, his uncle running up to check over his nephew for any injuries.

"I'm okay uncle, it's not for me." 

"You've always been smart enough to avoid suspicion, but I can't help but think the worst you know?"

"I know..." The two shared a kiss on the cheek and a loving hug before making their way to the window of their home towering over the town. Their home was taller than any other (except for the royal castle and noblemen's abodes of course) which granted them both ample time to spot any streets to avoid if a 'monster hunt' was taking place.

Screaming travelled up to the tower's window from the crowd surrounding a burning stake in the town's centre. The victim seemed calm, she didn't struggle against her ropes as the fire burned around her, enveloping her in heat and flames. Blonde hair burned as violet eyes dimmed, villagers cheered as the witch died in front of their eyes bringing a sour taste to Shuichi's mouth. How could anyone enjoy the murder of an innocent girl? What did our kind do?

Another young girl who looked exactly like the witch being burned screamed at a knight guarding the stake. "Please! She did nothing wrong! She's not a witch please please stop let her go!" 

The knight simply deadpanned, reciting a line he was clearly trained to repeat to civilians: "The witch is dead, you're safe now."

"What do you mean 'I'm safe'?! You just murdered my sister!" The girl screamed as she fell to the floor crying.

"The witch is your sister?" The knight questioned, readying his hand on his weapon before saluting to an unseen being. Two mighty stallions trotted to a stop as the king stepped off of his chariot, guarded by multiple royal knights as he approached the now dead witch and the crying witch's sister. 

"Is there a problem here?" His voice brought silence amongst the previously ecstatically loud crowd.

"Your Majesty Monokuma, this girl claims to be the witch's sister. What do you want to be done with her?"

"Bring her here." The knight grabbed Kaede who was kicking and screaming before dropping her in front of King Monokuma and holding a sword in front of her, ready to attack if she attempted to hurt the king. "Ah yes, just like I suspected. Kaede Akamatsu."

"Your Majesty." Kaede bowed as best as she could while on the ground, staring at the king.

"This isn't the first time we've met. You've caused quite a bit of trouble." The king smiled down at the helpless girl in front of her. "You claim to not be a witch like your twin sister, I've given you the benefit of the doubt since you served well as Princess Monophanie's servant for multiple years." Kaede's eyes sparkled as hope coursed through her, she thought she might be okay.

King Monokuma turned his back to Kaede and stepped back on his chariot before his voice bellowed an order to his guards. "Kaede Akamatsu is hereby banished from this town and will be killed on sight of trespassing. Escort her to the gates immediately."