Bitten By Love

Twenty

It had been a full day since Akiko had fallen asleep. Uruha was sitting on the edge of the bed, keeping an eye on her. He'd caught a few hours of sleep during the day, but was too worried about her to sleep any more.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Uruha said wearily.

Aoi, Reita, Kai and Ruki walked in, trying not to make any noise. "How is she?" Ruki asked.

"Still sleeping," Uruha answered, "but she looks a little more relaxed, and her wounds have started to heal."

"That's good."

"I was thinking of going back to her place now and picking up the rest of her things-"

"Nope," Aoi interrupted. "You stay here with Akiko. The rest of us will go in your place."

"Huh??"

"Just give us the address, and we'll be back in a few hours," Reita said.

"But will Akiko be comfortable with a bunch of strangers going through her things?" Kai asked.

"We should wait until she wakes up," Ruki suggested.

"I agree," Uruha said. "But thanks. It really means a lot."

* * * *

Akiko's POV

I could feel a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist as I slowly woke up. My eyes felt too heavy to open, however.

After a little effort, I finally pulled open one eye, then the other.

I stared into Uruha's worried face as tears formed at the corners of his eyes. "You're finally awake," he whispered, hugging me tight.

"H-how long was I a-asleep?" I asked, my throat feeling dry. I needed something to drink.

"Close to thirty-six hours," he replied, still holding me tight. "The change must have really tired you out."

Oh, right, the change...

"I'm sorry," Uruha said. "I wanted to change you only with your full consent. I won't deny that I really wanted to make you a vampire, but not like this..."

He pulled away and looked at me sadly. "It's okay," I told him. "I understand."

He nodded. "How are you feeling?" He asked, helping me sit up.

"I'm aching all over, and I'm very thirsty."

"I can't do much about the pain, but we can do something about your thirst."

He removed his jacket and adjusted his t-shirt. "When a human becomes a vampire, they fall into a long sleep of several hours. Waking up, they are inevitably thirsty, and water can't solve the issue. Only blood can."

He gently brought me onto his lap. "I would take you out for a feed, but you're too weak and injured right now to go anywhere. My blood should keep you going for a few weeks, until you're strong enough for your first feed."

I stared at Uruha, not sure what to say.

I finally settled for, "My mouth feels slightly strange."

"That would be the fangs," he explained. "Drink some blood, Akiko, you'll feel better. After that, I'll get you something to eat."

I gulped. "B-but I d-don't know how t-to use m-my fangs."

"Just will them to extend, and they'll get longer. Then, sink them somewhere around here, and pull them out." He indicated the spot where his neck and shoulder met.

"O-okay." I hesitantly moved towards the spot he'd indicated. "Uruha?"

"Yes, Akiko?"

"I-I'm sorry if I hurt you while drinking your blood."

"It's alright." He smiled reassuringly.

I smiled back at him. He always made me feel at ease.

I shut my eyes, and concentrated on my jaw, willing my fangs to extend. Soon enough, I could feel something extending as I opened my mouth.

I gripped Uruha's shoulders nervously as I sank my fangs into his skin, and quickly pulled them out. I was scared of hurting him.

As blood flowed out of the puncture wounds into my mouth, Uruha wrapped his arms around my waist and back, holding me close.

I had no idea what to expect when drinking blood, especially vampire blood. The times I'd bitten my lip hardly counted, but I could recall it tasting metallic. I couldn't remember what Uruha's blood had tasted like when he changed me, so I didn't really have any expectations in my mind.

But the taste of blood felt so unique, now that I was a vampire. It felt...beautiful.

I didn't need much blood to satisfy myself, so I pulled away within a few minutes.

I looked up at Uruha anxiously. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Not at all," he said lovingly, pressing his lips to my forehead. "You did well, Akiko. Are you feeling better?"

I nodded as I wiped the blood off my lips. "What about your..?"

"I'll clean it later," he assured me.
I nodded again.

Uruha gave me a soft kiss on the lips. My fangs had receded back into my mouth, so the kiss was a welcome change from the aching jaw.

When he finally pulled away, he whispered in my ear:

"Don't worry anymore, Akiko. I'll always be here for you, and make sure you're safe and happy."