Only Human

The Ray of Sunlight ch.15

      Misaki woke next to Mike once again. She sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawning. Her neck was now the only thing that was still bandaged. She massaged it as Mike woke up. He pat her head, as he always did. "How're you feeling?" "Better. Can we go outside now?" "Uhmm... Yeah. Yeah I think you're well enough now." He crawled out of the tent and Misaki followed. She stumbled onto her feet and almost fell, but Mike held her up by her hands. "Sorry, I haven't walked in.... I don't know how long." "It's okay. Want me to carry you?" "No way. I need to recover anyway." "Okay, come on." He walked towards a small pond and left Misaki to walk by herself. Misaki gulped. She lifted her foot and held it out in front of her, struggling to balance on the one foot that was on the ground. She took one step and her knee buckled and she fell face first to the ground. Mike turned and panicked at finding Misaki on the ground. He quickly walled over to her, with his arms spread out. "No! Don't pick me up!" "Huh? Why??" "L-let me try again." He stood back, but still kept his arms outstretched. Misaki pulled herself onto her feet again and gulped before she took a step. She took another. But at the third one her foot twisted and she fell to the ground. She groaned and massaged her ankle. Mike crouched down in front of her. "Misaki, it's okay, you'll get it eventually, don't cr-" "Did you see that!?" She looked up at him and smiled, her cheeks pink and her eyes warming green. "I walked! It was just for a second, but I did it!!" She hugged him and he blushed. "Y-yeah! But let's not try again okay, you've already injured yourself again." He glanced down at her reddening ankle. "Okay, I'll wait." He sighed in relief and scooted her off the ground. "But let's stay out here, I don't want to go back in the tent." "Okay, here, let's cool your foot in the water." He carried her to the pond and slipped off her shoe. She dipped both of her feet in the clear cool water and sighed happily. She looked over to Mike, who was staring at her. "Come on, don't leave me here doing this by myself, I'll look like a weirdo. You do it too." He smiled as he threw his shoes off and dipped in his feet next to Misaki's. The tiny fish started to swim around their feet. "Misaki, you said that you had someone special to you right?" Misaki paused. "Uhhmm.... Yeah? I don't really know if we're considered something special, but he is the person I most wish to go back to." "I see... So how far have you two gone?" "H-huh? How far?" "Yeah, you know.. Holding hands, hugging, kissing..." "None of the above." Sure we've hugged before, but never in a romantic way... More of a... Let me bite you kind of way. "I see... And your someone special was a demon right?" "Vampire." Mike paused at this and his eyes traveled down to Misaki's bandaged neck. "This vampire... He used to bite you right?" Misaki shuddered and held her arms closer to herself. She became serious. "Y.. Yes.." Mike scooted closer. "And the demon who kidnapped you... Bit you." Misaki nodded. "Misaki, are you sure you want to go back?" Misaki's head spun to Mike. "What're you talking about!? Of course I do!" Mike inched away. "I'm just saying, your vampire--" "Roku would never bite me like that!" "Does he stop when you tell him to?" Misaki paused. No... He doesn't. She turned back to the pond, frowning and tears pricking her eyes. Mike came closer again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you Misaki.." "It's the truth... He doesn't stop when I tell him to. But... But... If... If I really want him to.. I'm sure he'll stop! I'm sure he wouldn't hurt me!" "Okay okay. Calm down." Misaki wiped the tear off her cheek and sniffed. "Mike...I need to go home. I just have to. And..." Misaki looked around the camp that they were in. There was only a few tents scattered around an empty space surrounded by trees. "You guys can move in with us." "Huh? Move in with you?" "Yeah! We've got this huge cave that is just sitting around, waiting for more people and you all seem to be nice people, you'll fit in perfectly!" Misaki smiled at him. "Is it really that big?" "Yes! It's giant and not to mention I saw some demon construction workers making it bigger the other day." Misaki smiled happily and Mike stared at her. "By the way, we've spent most of the day here haven't we? I don't see anybody around, not to mention the sun has started to set and-" "Misaki." "Huh? What?" "I like you." Misaki smiled. "I like you too, I'm sure that you'll like everybody else at the cave--" "No I mean I have a crush on you" Misaki stopped. ".... Wait, what?" Mike came closer and kissed Misaki's cheek. "I like you romantically Misaki." Misaki's face reddened and she jumped away. Mike kept his eyes on her. "I...I'm sorry... No one has ever confessed to me before so I don't know how to..." He scooped her up off the floor and walked towards the tent. "Then don't. Don't reject me." Misaki blushed harder as he let her down in the nurse tent and settled down next to her. He laid down next to her, facing away and his eyes shut. Mike... He likes me. He really does like me. Wow. Of course I can't give back the same feelings... But... No one has ever liked me before, much less told me. Her heart beated rapidly and she laid down to sleep. Roku... I'm coming home with Mike and his group. We'll be happy. Everything will be perfect.

        The next morning Misaki woke to find herself on Mike's back as they were walking down a road along with everybody else. They were carrying all their belongings. "Mike." His head turned to look at her and they both blushed. "Y-you're awake." "Where are we going?" "We found something this morning not far off from here. So we're investigating. " "Something?" "Yeah it was this big lake next to a lot of people" "A lake..." Misaki remembered the big lake next to the cave. Her eyes widened. "Mike." "What?" "Take me up. I want to see this place." Mike's wings came out of his back. They were like Roku's, but a bit smaller. They carried them up into the sky and Misaki searched the ground frantically. She caught sight of a big blue lake and multiple people in front of it. They were wondering around, carrying fish and buckets. Misaki then spotted the place they were entering. Her heart raced and she lunged forward, almost falling off Mike. "Woah Misaki don't do that! You're going to-" "The cave!! It's them Mike!! It's them!!!" Her cheeks reddened and tears streamed down her face. "It's them!! Hurry!! Hurry! Get to them!!" Mike obeyed and flew ahead. Roku!! Olive! Gorru! Lily! Roku!! I'm back! Please see me, get out here! Roku!!!