A Date with Fate

Shi

Diary Entry Shi (4)

April 15, 1125
Okinawa, Japan

I awoke to the sun, in pain almost. My eyes hurt and I felt like I was sunburnt. I moved away from the light and sat up against a wall opposite of the doors, in the shade of the room. I felt sick to my stomach and a raging headache didn't help.
Suke was away with her father doing errands, so she wouldn't come to my aid this time. In her place, Hugo slid open the door with a tray of tea and rice. I was laying in the dark, curled up and mumbling random words. I was heating up. My face and entire body were burning.
Hugo quickly set the tray down and moved to my side. "Ichi! You need help, I'll be right back."
Before he could move away I grabbed his arm. "Don't leave me. I'm fine, I think it's just a fever." But we both knew it wasn't just a fever. I knew exactly what it was now. That damn man that cursed me. Cursed me to live like this, like a monster. It starts with the high fevers and then the loss of hearing and sight. You reject any and all kinds of foods, not like you feel like eating with your gums and teeth aching for relief. Then your heart stops without warning. Your body grows cold, and you lose the color in your skin. I'm sure this all sounds quite familiar. Those very eyes that are the passageway to your soul change color, and your senses are enhanced. It's a curse. And you ask, how do I know this? Because I watched this happen to all of my friends, and I am next.
I knew Hugo was freaking out and was telling me things, but I just couldn't hear him. This process takes its time, but does it quickly. It happens before you know it and you can't stop it. No matter how slow it may happen, it's still going to happen. Once your heart stops, there is no going back to the way you were before.
Hugo helped me up against the wall and tried to feed me some rice. I couldn't see the bowl, I couldn't see the chopsticks, and I couldn't see him. I felt nauseated from the loss of senses. I began to cough and cough in violent motions. Hugo was terrified to witness my changing. I was terrified. I began to spit up blood, all over the rice. It looked as if I was puking my guts. Someone. Anyone. Help me.
Then it all stopped.
Hugo stared wide-eyed at me with one hand on my back and the other on my forehead. I gritted my teeth, and watched as Hugo jumped back.
"Ichiko! Y-your teeth!" Hugo stuttered and only worried me more. I couldn't even talk, but I knew what he was talking about. I could feel the fangs pierce my lips making them bright red like a geisha.
Then it happened. It happened all at once. My heart stopped and then my mind went into a swirling vortex of madness. I was lost in my own mind.
I found myself in a field of tall, green grass. In the distance was a cherry blossom tree on its own. A figure sat at its base. I slowly walked toward it, running my fingers through the grass along the way. The figure turned upon hearing my movement. It was Suke. I smiled and she smiled back.
"Ichi. What are you doing here?"
I smile upon hearing her voice, "I could ask the same." I sat next to her and grabbed a piece of grass.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
I glanced at her and smirked, wanting to say the most typical response "you are," but decided to just lean forward towards her. Wanting to kiss her cheek, I looked at her and focused on her neck. Oh how I wanted to bite her and drain the blood from her slender, fair neck.
What. What? What did I just think?! My fangs were already out and I lunged forward at her ready to tear her throat out.
I awoke. My entire body was sore. There wasn't a thing that didn't hurt. Hugo was gripping his neck. I panicked and gripped his shoulders, while moving his hands away from his neck. He wasn't bleeding. A rush of relief rained over me.
"Ichi..."
I glanced at him. My eyesight was enhanced, the pores on Hugo's face were like small volcanoes. I could smell the flowers outside from a mile away. I could hear Suke and her father returning. Suke. What will Suke think of me now? Will she hate me? Will she still love me? How can I face her now that I've become the monster I've feared for a lifetime. Hugo embraced me. He held onto me and stroked my hair, shushing my incoming cries. I'll never be the same. Even as Hugo hugs me, I wish to taste his blood. It scares me.
I could hear Suke talk with her father and dismount her horse. She was getting closer. I was hungry. Suke. Go away. Hugo tightened his grip, as I found myself crushing him with my arms.
"My apologies..." I let go and hugged my knees.
"Ichi, Suke will help you."
"Suke will help me? Help me? How can she help me? What do you possibly think will cure me of this curse? Please do tell me! I'd like to know!?" I was in a rage. I'm sure my eyes weren't a normal color now and my fangs were noticeable.
Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.
The more I could smell and hear Suke getting closer... the more I wanted to eat her. The more I wanted to taste her blood. I'm starving and I have no control over the need to feed. Hugo saw my distress and pinned me down. I was lashing out at him, growling.
"Ichiko? Are you awake now?" She was outside the door.
My vampire senses were crazy at this point. My strength increases as I push Hugo across the room off me, he busts through the paper thin door alarming Suke.
Suke looked at the scene stunned in place. I ran at Suke but Hugo stood in the way blocking with his arm to guard. My fangs sank deep into his arm, as he screamed in pain trying to keep me away from Suke. He was her personal guard, so he wouldn't think twice to kill me if he had to. Suke was still bewildered, speechless as she saw me biting Hugo over and over again until he let go of my frame.
Hugo passed out from the lost of blood. Giving me the perfect chance to turn to Suke. 

I love you, Suke. I moved closer. Forgive me, Suke. Closer. Please run, Suke. Upon her. Run now. Inches away. Run.

A tear escaped down her slender, fair cheek. I held her in my arms watching her features. She lifted her cold hand to my cheek and smiled like she understood all that happened. She mouthed something to me and then slowly closed her eyes. Blood was everywhere. I came back to my senses and witnessed what I was doing. The lifeless body that rested in my arms with blood running down her neck. Blood stained my hands and face, and my clothes. I glanced around to find Hugo, but saw him nowhere. What have I done? 

Forgive me.