Reality's Blade

Chapter 28: Lust and Bloodlust

I didn't know what to think about the The Count being a real player, but on some level I thought that it might have already occurred to me. In all honesty, I wasn't that surprised, he just had too much personality to be a computerised character. I wondered many things about him, like why he was creating vampires of a select few and how he chose them, but the tantalising scent of blood kept drawing my mind back to the problems I was facing here and now.

"Hikage?"

"Yeah?"

"What if I don't want to drink your blood?" I questioned tentatively.

He sighed. "Am I not good enough for you? But being serious, your bloodlust will just increase until you do, so I'd rather you did it before you lost your mind."

"Will it kill you?"

"I'm the Dark Samurai, I won't go down easily." He replied, not really answering my question.

I wondered whether he just didn't know, or perhaps he did and would rather not think about it. If his death was already inevitable there was no use getting too worked up over it, it was merely a case of sooner or later. Creases wrinkled his forehead and his hands fidgeted nervously.

"Are you scared?"

"Not scared... Just nervous I guess." He replied, his voice sounding weaker than usual.

I nodded, I was nervous too. I hated feeling like I was just waiting for my fate to reach me, it filled me with anxiety.

"You'll get enhancements, that'll be cool. You might finally stand a chance against me." He teased, trying to lighten the mood. "As a swordsman class I think you'll get a speed and strength enhancement."

"Probably." I agreed.

"And you'll become part of the famous characters." He noted. "You might even get fan-art posted online."

"Sounds terrible." I laughed hollowly, not really feeling able to abandon all my worries enough to feel happy.

I didn't want to become famous, I wasn't even sure I wanted to become an equal to Hikage, I wanted to stay out here past the forest in peace with him, learning new things and enjoying his company. I didn't want anything to change, being like this was just fine.

While I was busy contemplating, Hikage's hand slipped into mine. I could only stare as he stood up and my body followed suit. Airi had been right, his touch was feather-light but warm and comforting. He had a way of moving that made it feel like your hand had a mind of it's own, not being moved by your own will, but neither by his. It did make my heart flutter.

Leaving the torch by the shore Hikage led me to his cottage, nestled in the darkness looking as if the house were sleeping.

"W-what are you doing?" I questioned.

Hikage didn't reply. The flutter in my chest had amplified to a fierce beating that was so loud it felt like it was drowning out my thoughts themselves. I was helpless to resist the tender pull of Hikage. We were soon in the near pitch-black cottage, with a few encouraging words from Hikage the fire sparked into life, engulfing the patiently waiting kindling with yellow flames that crept along the wood then jumped to the next piece with a crackle.

Hikage sat me down on his makeshift bed and let go of my hand. I watched his shadow darkened figure, his face a mask of calm, as he started to remove his clothes.

"Oi, Hikage... What are you doing?" I stuttered, feeling nervous on so many more levels than before.

"You know what I'm doing." He replied evenly, his voice resonating in the quietness.