Petals of Blood | Vampire Knight

CHAPTER 4

Juriki blinked cautiously as he gazed ahead, hidden among the bushes. A smile crept across his face as he observed his prey, blissfully unaware of his presence.

He was determined to catch it and present it with pride to his annoying uncle, who seemed to have made it his life mission to torment him.

The thought alone made him snort, but he quickly stifled the noise as his prey perked up, looking around alertly. A moment of silence settled in before his prey returned to munching on its carrot.

Juriki let out a sigh of relief, staring at the peaceful creature, which is a bunny. Don't laugh at him, okay? He had a natural dislike for bunnies because his good-for-nothing uncle always compared him to one!

He could already imagine his uncle laughing when he showed this bunny as his prey, which made him reconsider the hunt. But he pushed those thoughts aside, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

His uncle had taught him that to become a perfect and undefeated hunter, one must possess patience and resilience. He rolled his eyes at that, knowing full well that his uncle lacked those traits. Yet, being a good student, he etched those teachings into his heart.

The bunny's nose twitched as it sniffed the air. Its long ears perked up, sensing the gaze of a predator.

The forest around them was peaceful and beautiful, bathed in bright daylight. Lush greenery surrounded him, and wildflowers dotted the ground. A gentle breeze stirred the fallen leaves, swirling them gracefully through the air.

It was a picturesque scene that lulled the white bunny into a false sense of security, leading to its downfall as Juriki seized the opportunity.

With the precision of a skilled hunter, he prepared to strike. Just as he lunged forward, a crow cawed suddenly, startling the bunny into a frantic leap away from him.

He could only watch in frustration. He could have caught that escaping bunny with a single move, but the crow's unexpected arrival had halted his pursuit.

Pouting, Juriki pressed his reddish lips together, enhancing his delicate, doll-like features. "Uncle, you really should stop being a stalker," he said, his tone dripping with playful helplessness.

A chuckle responded to him, one that brought a smile to his face. Unlike his father's gentle laughter, which sounded like a song from nature, his uncle's chuckle was darkly alluring, filled with mischief and temptation.

Rido appeared from the shadows, his untamed hair wild and unkempt. The branches seemed to shy away from his overwhelming presence, but he paid them no mind as he regarded his nephew's helpless gaze.

As years flows like riverfall, Juriki's doll-like features earned him affection from all who beheld him. However, those who knew him well recognized the mischievous trickster beneath that innocent exterior, a boy who spread chaos while maintaining the appearance of an angel.

Rido recalled the day Juriki had casually used his abilities to move the rabbits further into the forest, a prank that had amused even him. After all, bunnies were his nephew's bane.

"I'm not following you, dearest nephew. I'm merely strolling. I just happened to stumble across you, that's all." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Juriki rolled his eyes playfully, clearly unconvinced by Rido's excuse, but his uncle seemed unfazed.

"So, what exactly brings you here, dear uncle?" Juriki asked, recalling that his uncle had been summoned by the council for an important matter that required his attention.

Because of that meeting, their hunting plans had been canceled. Their mansion, nestled in the heart of the forest, was the perfect hunting ground for their activities, a cherished bonding time between uncle and nephew.