A hidden survival

Chapter 20

Akane regained consciousness, she slowly opened her eyes. Looking up at the ceiling, the lights were flickering. She tried to sit up, a sharp pain on her shoulder stopped her as she let out a groan. She was held and she heard, "I'll help you." A familiar voice. She slowly traced her eyes from the hands that help her sit up to the face of the owner of them. If this is a dream, don't wake up. This thought entered her mind.

"Akane? Are you alright?" Yu asked in a worried tone. She snapped herself back to reality, "I'm fine. Where are the girls?" Yu placed his hands on her forehead, "They're safe. They'll be here soon. You still have a slight fever from the wound infection. What were you doing trying to blocking Yoichi's arrow?" Akane looked down and stayed silent. She heard him sigh, "I was worried." Akane glanced up at him and assured, "Yu... I'm fine now."

Without notice, she felt his hands wrapped around her shoulders and he mumbled, "I'm sorry, I was there and I let this happen. They're weren't so persistent with Mika." Akane patted his back, "For two of the times you've saved me, thank you." She then pulled back, "You met Mika?" He nodded, "He's..." Before Yu finished his sentence, Akane finished, "a vampire." He looked at her, "So you knew?" Akane smiled bitterly, "I saw him recently with Ferid." Yu frowned, "Ferid Bathory? You've met him?" Akane nodded, "But... he released me..." Both of them exchange looks, none of them really knows what the vampire is plotting.

Yu suddenly said, "He's still our family despite what he has become." Akane looked at him with a confused expression. He patted her head, "Mika." She recalled Mika's pained expression and guilt washed over her. Yu looked at her carefully, "You've never been good at hiding your emotions." Akane mustered a smile, "Since when have you become so sharp?" He stared at her intensely, waiting for her answer.

Akane lay her head on her knees, "This is the first time you called us a family... ... ... I...  I've said something terrible to him." She could hide her face, but the trembling of her voice could not be hidden. Yu comforted, "Mika is very forgiving, he wouldn't stay mad at you." Akane stayed silent as she tried to stop crying but she was unable to. With Yu by her side, she let herself be spoiled a little and cried.

Yu placed his hands on Akane's back as he assured, "I promise I'll save the both of you. I won't lose you guys anymore." Akane lifted her head, "Yu... There's something you need to know." Yu looked at the pair of almond coloured eyes of his childhood friend, they showed much seriousness, she wiped away her tears and said, "I'm not a human anymore."

Author's note: Akane is going to confess!!! Will Yu accept what she is now??? Will their friendship show any cracks?