Kimiko*Owari No Seraph

Chapter 14: Forever

Kimiko's POV: 

~ Imperial Demon Army Headquarters ~

A fiery-haired boy strides into the room as I'm perched on Yuu's bed, and he gazes at me with astonishment. He reminds me of a friend from the city, someone I knew long ago, though he's likely deceased now. Another failure of mine. Yuu glances between the boy and me, his expression shifting to concern. "I promise it's not what it seems," I begin, but...

"Kimiko?" The boy interrupts, and I meet his gaze with confusion and surprise. It's Kyato, my friend. I rise slowly, incredulous at his survival. I never imagined he'd made it out. "Kyato..." Tears well up in my eyes as I leap from the bed to embrace him. It's been years since our last meeting; I never dared to hope for another. "I can't believe you're alive. I'm so glad you made it," I murmur, holding onto him tightly.

"Well, of course, I couldn't have escaped without you. If you hadn't intervened with those vampires, they would have killed me," he remarks as we part from the embrace. Yuu sits there, utterly perplexed, emitting a slight cough to draw our attention. "You two know each other?" he inquires, glancing between Kyato and me.

"We met when we were fourteen, at a feeding center," I explain. "I used to help the kids there after they'd been drained of blood, ensuring they got home safely. One day, I saw Kyato being harassed by some common vampires, and I intervened. Despite my efforts, Kyato, being himself, continued to fight back, nearly provoking one of the vampires into biting him. I had to use my mother's authority to finally drive them off. After that, we became friends. But one day, he came to me with a plan to escape. I would have joined him, but it wasn't safe for me. So, to ensure his safety, I chose to stay behind."

"Thank you, but why are you here? I thought..." Kyato begins, but he cuts himself off, cupping my face gently. "Your eyes are still aqua. We need to get you out of here, now," he insists urgently. I sigh softly, nodding. "I know, but Mika is weak. We can't even wake him up. I'm not sure how to get him out of here," I reply, glancing back at Mika. "You know about them?" Yuu queries, turning to Kyato.

"Yes, I know they've been here since the battle. If we don't get them out immediately, we're likely going to die. I've seen it before," Kyato finishes quietly, triggering a flood of guilt and shame within me.

Flashback: ~ Vampire City Underground ~

Kyato's POV:

Kimiko was leading me back from the feeding center, as she usually did every other week. But this time felt different. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. "Kimiko, are you okay?" I asked, concerned. She squeezed her eyes shut, clutching her head. "Get away from me!" she screamed. I stepped closer, reaching out to comfort her, but...

"Kyato, I said, get away from me!" Her voice shifted, turning eerie and demonic. A black aura enveloped her as she collapsed, writhing in agony.

I recoiled in fear. "Kimiko..." At the sound of her name, she stilled, becoming eerily silent and motionless. Then, she sprang to her feet, her eyes now black with traces of red swirling within them. "Hi, Kyato," she greeted, her voice distorted and twisted.

"Kimiko, what's happening?" I stammered, edging away. She regarded me with a twisted smile. "You're so cute. No wonder she likes you. But we're very hungry. Can I taste you?" she taunted, advancing towards me.

"Back away from her, human," a guard intervened, seizing my shoulder and dragging me away from Kimiko. He ushered me towards a corner, but I lingered, watching in horror as...

She laughed maniacally, turning her attention to the guard. "You took my treat away, so I guess I'll have yours instead," she declared. With a swift motion, she lunged at the guard, her hand piercing his neck. He crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the wound, as she...

She sank her teeth into his neck, drinking greedily. When she finished, he crumbled to dust. Kimiko slumped to the ground, spent. I rushed to her side, shaking her frantically, trying to...

"What... What happened?" she mumbled, confused, blood staining her hands. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized... "Why is there blood on my hands? What did I do?" she cried.

Flashback Ends

Kimiko's POV: 

~ Imperial Demon Army Headquarters ~

As memories flood back, I look down at the floor, overwhelmed with regret. "I'm still so sorry you had to see me like that. I thought I had it under control, but..." I trail off, but Kyato interrupts, enveloping me in a hug. "I know it wasn't your fault, but we have to get you out of here before it happens again," he urges, his smile offering a glimmer of comfort. It's a bittersweet moment, being reunited with my friend and my family, but...

I can't remain trapped here forever.

Yuu's POV: 

~ Imperial Demon Army Headquarters ~

Kyato, Kimiko, and I convene in my room, strategizing our escape from the headquarters before Kimiko and Mika lose control. Suddenly, the door swings open, and I instinctively move to shield Kimiko and Mika. Shinoa enters, accompanied by Kimizuki, Yoichi, and Mitsuba. They eye Kyato and me warily, their attention drawn to Kimiko and Mika, freezing in their tracks.

"What's happening here?" Kimizuki demands, tightening his grip on his weapon. He peers over and spots Mika sleeping on my bed, still dressed as a noble. "Why the hell do you have a vampire here?" Mitsuba explodes, prompting everyone to ready their weapons, except Yoichi. Mika begins to stir, and Kimiko rushes to his side. He gazes at my team, his eyes widening. "Humans," he murmurs softly. Kimiko's gaze shifts downward, filled with concern.

"Shinoa, we need to attack!" Mitsuba insists, the tension palpable as everyone braces for combat. "Wait!" Kimiko interjects, and a hush falls over the room. Rising from the bed, she steps forward. "I apologize for the trouble we've caused, but we simply want to go home," she pleads, her tone tinged with sadness.

"I won't fall for your vampire tricks," Mitsuba retorts sharply, aiming her weapon at Kimiko. "We only wish to speak, please. We mean you no harm. We just want to leave and return home," Kimiko implores, her voice trembling. "I've known Kimiko for most of my life. She may have changed, but she's still a good person. And technically, she's not fully a vampire," I interject, casting a glance at my team, who seem perplexed.

"I used to be human. But four years ago, when our family was killed, Mika and I were turned against our will. Raised among vampires, we recently discovered that both Yuu and Mika were alive. I would do anything to keep them safe. They're my family. But since we're not fully turned, we can't consume human blood. We're weak and in need of our maker's blood. We need to escape this city before we lose control and hurt someone. Please, allow us to leave," Kimiko pleads, tears glistening in her eyes. Shinoa gazes at Kimiko, slowly lowering her weapon.

"We will help you escape, but nothing more," Shinoa declares, her eyes firm. "We'll get you out at dusk, as soon as you're both able to move." Her words bring relief, knowing that both of my families can work together, but in this world, nothing lasts forever.