Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

(Mini) Chapter 83: Resolutions

Morning, the next day

"Ugh..." This time when I woke up, I felt much worse. Though, at least I was dressed this time.
"...I think I know what's wrong with you" I turned my head to see Heisuke sitting next to me, staring at a pile of blackened wood.
"Nani...?"
"You're anaemic"
"I'm surprised you know of such a word..." I teased weakly.
"This is serious Chiyeko. You need some blood or you're gonna be in real trouble"
"Oh..." I used my arms to prop myself up and my hair swung forward as I did so. "Wait...My hair's white...?" I felt my forehead and sure enough, the four horns were there. "I-I don't understand...Why am I like this...?"
"...This is just a guess, do ya still want to hear it?" Heisuke finally looked at me and in his gaze I saw a seriousness I had only seen a few times before. All I could do was nod in agreement. "You have anaemia, that much I know since it's my fault..."
"Heisuke, I told you not to blame yourself...!"
"Gomen...Anyway, I think your anaemia is causing the fury in you to subconsciously awaken"
"Awaken...? So that's why I look like this...?"
"Yeah...I assume being anemic makes the fury in you much hungrier for blood than normal"
"Are you talking about the bloodlust...? Because I don't feel the pain that I normally feel when I go through that..."
"Like I said, this is just a guess and I don't really know what's going on. But your eyes are glowing red instead of the usual gold so I know you want blood, even if you don't know it yourself"
"Oh, I see..."
"If you do have anaemia then I'm pretty sure I know the cure"
"Yeah...to cure anaemia you have to perform a blood transfusion...but we don't have the equipment..."
"You're a fury now Chiyeko, you have all the equipment you need to take blood in your mouth"
"I-I couldn't-Argh!" I fell onto my side as I wrapped my arms around my stomach to try and ease the strengthening pain.
"You have to! Anaemia can kill if left untreated Chiyeko!"
"B-But...taking blood that way is painful and I...I don't want to hurt you...!"
"Just think of it as punishment for me hurting you first" He joked with a grin.
"I don't understand how you can be so calm about all of this...!"
"Because I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help you Chiyeko. No matter the cost"
"Heisuke, I-!" The pain worsened and I cried out as I tightened my hold around my abdomen. Why did I have to open my mouth about the pain...?
"If you don't do this, there's a strong possibility you'll die and I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to lose you. Not after I realised just how much I need you"
"Heisuke..." I looked up at him and saw myself reflected in his eyes. My body looked small and weak, not to mention ghostly pale. My eyes, however, glowed a bright, strong red and I could see hunger swirling around in my irises. "...Fine" Heisuke helped me sit up and I took hold of his hand.
"What are you-?"
"A lot of blood flows through the wrist too...It won't be painless but...it'll be better than me taking blood from your neck..."
"What did I do to deserve a wonderful woman like you?"
"I'm about to drink your blood...I'm hardly "wonderful"..." I muttered self-depreciatively.
"You're still thinking of me even though you're in pain yourself, that's part of what makes ya wonderful Chiyeko"
"Whatever..." I looked away as a blush rose to my cheeks.
"You know with your skin so pallor, I can definitely tell when you're blushing" He teased.
"I would be nicer to the woman who's literally about to bite you..."
"Point taken" He chuckled awkwardly. "Well, go ahead"
"...Here goes nothing" I raised Heisuke's left wrist and lowered my head until the two met. I opened my mouth and bit down on the inside of his wrist. I heard Heisuke wince and became hesitant, but he reassured me by grabbing my free hand and giving it a squeeze. I pushed my canines in deeper until blood rushed into my mouth. I'd forgotten how amazing this tastes...I drank in the sweet nectar that was Heisuke's blood and as I did so, I felt the pain in my stomach growing fainter. I guess his reasoning was right, even if he didn't know what he was talking about. I continued to drink until the pain in my stomach had ceased. When I pulled away, Heisuke sighed.
"Your appearance is back to normal"
"Good to know" I was already feeling much stronger and almost no pain assaulted my stomach. "Looks like you were right. Though, I don't think I'm strong enough to be up and about yet"
"That's fine, any progress is great after all!"
"So now nani?" Heisuke stood up and picked me up before answering;
"We go home. I'm pretty sure there's a very worried nakama waiting for us back there" He then started to walk deeper into the cave.
"Kinu-chan!? I almost forgot!" I gasped. "I hope she's not mad at me..."
"Why would she be mad at ya?"
"Because I kind of ditched her so I could keep looking for you even though I was in no condition to do so..."
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll understand" We reached where Jinsoku was tied to and Heisuke helped me onto Jinsoku before untying him and mounting our horse himself. "You ready?" I wrapped my arms around Heisuke and nodded.
"Let's go!" Heisuke flicked the reins and we were off.

Two and a half hours later

Kinu-chan must have heard Jinsoku's hoof falls since she was waiting at the stables before we arrived. When we dismounted, she ran up to us and gave us each a long hug. "I was so worried about you two! The storm got so bad that it stopped me from going out again to look for you and I began to imagine the worst since-!"
"Kinu-chan!" I exclaimed as I put my hands on her shoulders. She closed her mouth and looked into my eyes. "I'm real gomen we worried you like that. That certainly wasn't my intention and I hope you can forgive me"
"Of course I can, that's what nakamas do...But you have to understand I was so worried! I kept going over in my mind of all the terrible things that could've happened to you and-!"
"I understand how you were feeling, which means I hope you now understand why I had to keep looking for that baka idiot-"
"Hey!"
"Hai, I completely get it now. Well, not completely since we're not in a relationship, but I understand why you had to stay in N/A forest"
"Good" I smiled before letting her go as she appeared to have calmed down.
"I cooked breakfast for us, I hope you don't mind. It's just...I tend to stress-cook when I'm worrying..." An awkward smile was on her face as she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
"I don't mind at all! After all, I didn't have dinner yesterday so I'm starving!" Heisuke excitedly stated while rubbing his hands together.
"Same here, let's go eat!"
"Alright then!" Kinu-chan smiled happily as we walked into the house. As we ate, Kinu-chan brought up my parents' graves and we re-planned the trip for tomorrow to give us a day to rest from everything that had happened.

After breakfast, Heisuke and I had baths to make sure that we wouldn't catch colds from being soaked through last night. That and because we were quite filthy from all the mud that had gotten on us. Now Heisuke and I were laying together in our futon.
"Sleeping outside is cool, but I think I prefer sleeping here with ya the best" Heisuke stated as he tightened his hold around me.
"Me too" I snuggled into his embrace. "Hey Heisuke?"
"Yeah?"
"...Don't leave me. When we're together, it makes me happy" Heisuke kept silent for a short while and I began to grow worried.
"Feeling insecure Chiyeko?" He teased and I let out a sigh of relief when he realised what I was referring to. "Of course I won't leave you, it makes me happy when we're together too" He turned me around in his arms so I was now facing him. "I love you Chiyeko"
"I love you too Heisuke" After I uttered my words of love, Heisuke surprised me with a kiss. He kissed me softly at first, but gradually the kiss grew deeper, more heated until we had to pull apart to gasp for air. "...That didn't happen last time..." I breathed out, my face slowly turning red.
"I improvised" He replied with a teasing grin. "And I'll gladly do it again"
"Well then, what are you waiting for? An invitation?"
"That would be nice"
"Just come here you baka idiot" I rolled my eyes before kissing him myself. He may be a baka idiot, but he's MY baka idiot. One I wouldn't trade for anything in this world.

DISCLAIMER: SOME lines or scenes MAY have been taken or adapted from Hakuōki/Hakuouki: Memories of the Shinsengumi. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CHAPTERS!!!