Reality's Blade

Chapter 37: Frenzy

We were returning with more people than we had started, Hikage's final act as the Dark Samurai successful. It felt strange for it to no longer be just the two of us. The echoing of fireworks had seen us off, but the loud bursts had now faded to the peaceful lullaby of flowing water and bird song.

Despite my company I couldn't help but think about my own destiny with the vampires, The Count had said they would teach me to better use my enhancement, so I speculated I might be training with them. I doubted I could respect them in the same way I had Hikage, but then I hadn't seen their powers up close, with their enhancements they should be a terrifying bunch. I would no doubt learn to respect them with time.

I didn't know what kind it training it would be, as a swordsman I had received instruction from the best that there was, and it wasn't even like they could teach me about the aspects of being a vampire, since they didn't need to drink blood anymore, that was my burden alone.

I wasn't sure if it was nerves or sea sickness that made my stomach uneasy and my brain unfocused, it was like the Legerdemain flu had returned. I rested on my arms, peering over the side of the boat into the rippling water, and gazed at the face that stared back at me, it still didn't feel like my own. A familiar face appeared in the reflection next to mine, I was surprised to find the Dark Samurai had sat next to me.

"You're shaking." He murmured quietly.

I briefly glanced over at him, I was still adjusting to the Dark Samurai no longer being Hikage.

"It's just the water."

I pulled out one of my arms out from under my chin and experimentally held a hand out, I watched my fingers twitching uncontrollably. He was right, I was shaking. I returned the trembling hand back to it's previous position. I should have realised sooner it was the effects of not drinking blood. The Count seemed to have made sure that I couldn't remain on empty, I'd never be free of the vampire bloodlust.

"Why do you resist it so hard?" The Dark Samurai asked, looking confused by the decision.

I cast my mind back, trying to remember how it all started. I had been terrified because I didn't understand what was happening to me, then I was even more concerned to learn I had no choice in the matter, my fate and Hikage's had been tied together. Hikage had been scared, he didn't want to 'become food for vampires', I didn't blame him, and he didn't want to die, the fear of losing the Dark Samurai was immense. I didn't want to hurt him or take his life, and that feeling had never really gone away. Even now, with Hikage in his own character I wasn't sure if I could bite him, he looked far too much like Kazehiro, his young body seeming almost frail in comparison to the Dark Samurai's, I'd be even more worried about hurting him. I wouldn't use this body to overpower him in the way he hated so much, and I wouldn't let my title of vampire be an excuse to do things to him against his will, or anyone else, it wasn't how I wanted to live my Legerdemain life.

"I don't want to be constantly drinking blood like some parasite against people's wills all the time." I summed up with a sigh.

"Once you learn to use your power you won't need to drink blood anywhere near as often. You use your enhancement indiscriminately, but you'll learn to use it only when necessary, so it won't run down as fast, or not at all if you don't use it." The Dark Samurai replied soothingly.

I continued to stare into the undulating water, I was relieved to hear that, but it didn't solve the problem that I would have to drink blood at some point else I'd risk going on a rampage.

"You know, you haven't asked what it was like to be bitten." He noted.

The feel of fingers clenched against my hand and the low groans of pain flashed back through my mind. I didn't want to ask, it was obvious, it'd be impossible to bite people if I knew what I was putting them through when I did so. But my venom was numbing wasn't it?