#toxic: toxic relationship according to extreme obsession and possessiveness
#pregnancy: pregnancy, abort, childbirth, etc. [previously #tw]
#dad!ruki: Ruki as a father
#rukiko: OC ship – Ruki's wife [@yuriko-mukami]
#rufi: AU ship – Ruki's wife [@afi-mukami]
Asks about incest, rape, pedophelia, religion or politics will NOT be answered. Also, asks that are too uncomfortable or awkward for Admin will NOT be answered.
NO ROMANCE OR SMUT RPs WITH OCs. I'm EXCLUSIVE and also loyal. I belong to @yuriko-mukami. (Admin feels uncomfortable doing this kind of RPs with someone other than @yuriko-mukami / @afi-mukami.)
I ASK FOR UNDERSTANDING.
BE RESPECTFUL. No hate or harassment against Admin, others or me.
DO NOT BE RUDE.
NO JEALOUSY.
Some pictures are Admin's edits and drawings. You are NOT allowed to use them.
“What is this place…” Yuriko yawned. “...anyway?”
Three days had passed in a blur. Yuriko lay on the bed, curled against Ruki’s side while he drew lazy circles on her bare upper arm. They had agreed to talk, but mostly they had simply reminded each other of how much they had been missing one another during the last few weeks.
Ruki’s hand stopped, and he pressed Yuriko closer. “An abandoned orphanage.” His voice sounded ragged.
“Oh?” Yuriko squirmed sideways and slid her arm over Ruki’s stomach. His skin was icy as ever, but she didn’t mind even though the room was slowly getting chilly since they had burned everything that could have been put into the fireplace.
“Yes.” Ruki coughed. His gaze wandered to the stained walls where the paper had started to peel off and hung here and there.
“We aren’t in the Demon World anymore, are we?” Yuriko stroke Ruki’s cheek. “Talk to me, Ruki. We made the promise.”
“You are right…” A sigh vibrated past Ruki’s lips. He sat up, resting his back against the headboard of the bed. Before continuing, he collected Yuriko into his embrace and covered their bare feet with the blanket.
Yuriko sneaked a pillow on their laps for warmth even though she didn’t otherwise care that they wore nothing. When she moved, Ruki played with one of her curls as if searching for the right words.
“I used to live here… This is where I met Kou, Yuma, and Azusa.”
Now that was a revelation! Yuriko already knew that Ruki had lost everything and ended up in an orphanage. Still, it hadn’t occurred to her that this could be the very same place where Ruki had spent part of his childhood.
“Umh… then we aren’t in Japan either… right?”
Ruki chuckled softly. “No. We are not.”
“In Europe, then?” Yuriko rested her head against Ruki’s shoulder. As far as she knew, Ruki had been born somewhere in Eastern Europe, but he hadn’t ever mentioned the country, and since Ruki didn’t like to talk about the matter, Yuriko hadn’t dug it up either.
“Yes, that is correct. These days, this country is called Romania,” Ruki confirmed Yuriko’s suspicions. Yuriko repeated the name a few times in her head to memorize it. She couldn’t recall ever hearing such a place, but once she had internet access again, she could read all about it. Or perhaps she could buy a book about the country if Ruki took her to a bookstore. No… That probably wouldn’t help. The books here weren’t written in Japanese, right?
Yuriko’s ponderings were rewarded with a tiny laugh from Ruki. “No, they do not sell those here. But I can teach you all you need to know.”
“Oh my gosh! School!” Yuriko straightened up so fast that her head whirled. “I… I can’t fail again! I have missed so many classes! And… and…”
What could Yuriko even do? The autumn semester was going to end soon. There was no way to catch up. It seemed rather clear that she would not graduate next spring either. That would mean she could not go to university. In the end, the only option was to get a low-paying job, never fulfilling her studying dreams.
“Haa… That is indeed a problem.” Ruki pulled Yuriko back into his arms. “You cannot go back to Ryoutei Academy for the time being, at least. We must not contact anyone else while we are hiding, no friends, no families, no one. Shu will need time to pull off his plan, and as long as he is up to it, we stay out of his way.”
“Everyone will worry…” Yuriko hung her head. “...and I won’t graduate.”
Ruki snaked his finger under Yuriko’s chin, lifting her face. “I promise to teach you everything you need to graduate. Once we can, we will arrange for you to attend a high school and get you a graduation certificate. It does not need to be from Ryoutei Academy, does it?”
“I…” Yuriko shook her head. “I guess not. As long as I can prove that I have finished high school, I can apply to the university later.”
“Is that what you want?” Ruki smiled. “You truly are my kind of woman. Smart through and through. What do you want to study?”
“Umh… literature… I know it doesn’t guarantee me a good-paying job, but… but… that’s what I wish…” Yuriko tucked the pillow on her lap. “You know, Yuma said I should tell you that.”
Ruki captured Yuriko’s lips and kissed them as gently as possible. “He was correct. I will make this dream of yours come true. But first, we are to steal this moment for ourselves.”
“But for how long?” Yuriko broke the kiss and peeked around. While this room had been enough for these few days, the weather was getting colder and colder, they would soon be out of wood and food. Not to mention that they only had a few pieces of clothing and no running water. It was not possible for them to live like this for the whole coming winter. How harsh would the winter even be here? They were probably different from the ones Yuriko had used to.Â
“I am afraid to say that I do not know that.” Ruki ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it even messier. “But we cannot stay here. I’m aware of that. This was just the first stop so that you could recover, and we could find another place.” His eyes wavered. “I have to admit that I have not searched for anything yet, though.” Tugging Yuriko closer again, he pecked her lips. “You have imprisoned me in this bed. I should punish you for that.”
“I… I… I was under the impression that it had been the other way around…” Heat coursed on Yuriko’s face. Yet, it was more than pleasant. If it had been possible, she would have spent the rest of her life with Ruki in between these sheets. “Besides… you told me to stay here and rest.”
“And have you been resting?” Now, there certainly were sparks in the storm of Ruki’s eyes!
“Well… it depends on what counts…” Yuriko mumbled, unable to break the bond between their gazes.
Ruki smirked. “Hmm… definitely not your feet on my shoulders… or holding on to the headboard while moaning so loudly that the whole forest knows to whom you belong.” He pulled Yuriko’s lip with his. “Or bouncing on your master’s cock while he was teasing your perfect little ass.”
Yuriko flared all over when the images from past scenes rushed through her mind. Her insides clenched, leaking wetness between her thighs. “Oh my gosh… Ruki… You must stop this, or we’ll never get out of this bed!”
“Would that be so bad~?” Ruki stroked Yuriko’s bottom lip with his thumb, dipping it into her mouth.
“Umh… no… but… but…” Yuriko swallowed. She sucked the thumb in and forced a groan out of Ruki.
“Fuck! You are right…” Ruki pulled the finger out of Yuriko’s mouth. “I have been toying with a thought. Let us collect our things. We will eat in the town, and then we will go check out one place. I might be able to convince someone that it should be ours for a while at least.”
“Oh…? That would be nice.” Yuriko beamed. A place of their own. Probably at least a room with heating and access to running water. She wouldn’t ask much.Â
Ruki returned Yuriko’s smile. “Yes, that is true. But first…” He pushed in finger back into Yuriko’s mouth. “Show your master how will you treat his cock once we have found a place to stay.”
With burning cheeks, Yuriko allowed the thumb to glide along her tongue and started teasing it with the best she could… even though it wasn’t able to match the delicacy she would get later.
The restaurant had been the coziest one Yuriko had ever visited. It had been located in an old building with stone walls and lit with candles. The food… Well, very different from what she had eaten before, but tasty, nevertheless. She wouldn’t complain. Not after going through all that hunger again. Whatever was served before her, she would eat it gladly.
“We will visit this address now…” Ruki showed a piece of paper to Yuriko. “It is not located in the town center, so we must walk a little. Is that okay for you?” He adjusted a bag on his shoulder. They had stuffed everything they currently had in there, if you didn’t count the sheets they had left in the orphanage.Â
Yuriko peeked at the paper. Words didn’t make sense to her, but she nodded anyway. “I can walk. It feels good to be outside again.” She wrapped a scarf better around her neck. The weather wasn’t cold exactly, but not as warm as back home either. Their surroundings were so different as well, with all the old houses straight out of a historical novel… or perhaps from a fantasy story. Yuriko had stepped onto the pages and was living an adventure of her life.
Though this quest was bittersweet. While they were surrounded by wonderful things and beautiful nature, they were all alone in this strange land with people Yuriko couldn’t understand at all. No one knew they were here, and since Ruki had betrayed the Vampire king, they could not afford anyone to learn about their location either. They might have to live in exile for the rest of their lives. Could Yuriko really even study? It was not like she could register herself officially in any school.Â
But that was a worry for tomorrow or perhaps the day after that. Ruki had managed to figure out that a certain building he was interested in was still there, and they were going to check it out today. He would have wanted to rent it directly, but for some reason, that wasn’t possible. Perhaps it would be easier to negotiate with the owner face-to-face.
The road to the building went through the woods, and when it finally came into view, Yuriko gaped. It was huge. Not as big as the Mukami manor, but enormous enough for at least two families to live in. And so beautiful. It was like a downsized mansion. The Inn Beldiceanu, it said on the sign in front of the house.
“Beldiceanu…?” Yuriko read out loud, probably pronouncing the name completely wrong. “Like Nicholea Beldiceanu… that poet and novelist?”
Ruki frowned but then tilted his head, looking at Yuriko. “You have read his works?”
“Umh… I have read about it… I don’t think I have seen translations if there are any…” Yuriko patted her lips. “Did he live here?”
Ruki shook his head. “No. He lived in another place, but… he was alive when I was a child. I still don’t know why they named the house after him.”
“Maybe he visited the inn then?” Yuriko couldn’t stop staring at the building. It radiated gothic beauty and made her think about all those romance novels she had gobbled up after her mother had gone missing. She had always imagined the locations looking like something like this.
“No, it wasn’t an inn back then…” Ruki muttered the words, taking Yuriko’s hand and guiding her toward the front door. “It seemed they kept a lot but changed many things as well.”
So, Ruki had been here before? Back in his childhood… which meant… as a human? Yuriko had difficulty imagining it. That had been so long ago, after all. Something beyond her understanding due to her limited lifespan. No, actually, she didn’t wish to think about the matter with too many details since those thoughts could bring her into a dark place she would rather not visit.Â
Opening the door, Ruki led them into an entrance hall with a reception desk. An already greying man was sitting behind it, but he lifted his head in the instant they walked closer. As Ruki threw himself into the conversation with him, Yuriko allowed herself a moment to look around. After all, she couldn’t catch a word of the men’s changing.Â
Gothic mansion described the house's insides perfectly. Everything was made of dark wood, and the carpets were heavy. The hall’s walls were full of old photographs and paintings. As the conversation seemed to take forever, Yuriko slipped her hand from Ruki’s and roamed closer, gazing at the pieces. She couldn’t recognize any artist’s names, but it seemed that most of the pictures had either landscapes or people in historical clothing.Â
Yuriko blinked. No, not historical. Contemporary, for sure, at the time of their creation. All paintings seemed to be ancient, and the black and white photos as well. When she strolled near the staircase, her eyes caught something: a family portrait with a man, a woman, and a tiny boy.
Oh my gosh…! Yuriko almost pressed her nose on the glass as she peered through it. The photo was greyscale, but if it had had colors, Yuriko would bet the boy would have had grey-blue stormy eyes. She peeked at the sign next to the tiny photo. The text was written in a few languages, and one of them even Yuriko knew – even though her skills were weak. Hence, she took quite a while staring at the text, trying to figure it out.Â
“The last owners of the house before it was abandoned and stayed empty for decades. The head of the family was found hanging from a tree, but his wife and son had disappeared. Several servants had run with the family’s property, and only a few of them faced the consequences. No relatives of the family have been able to be found, and eventually, the building was bought by a businessman who restored it and founded the inn.”
Had Yuriko understood everything properly, or was her mind making up things? It sounded a lot like the story Ruki had told her, and the boy in the photo truly had his eyes. But somehow… the details didn’t match, right?
“We can stay here. They had a room we could rent.”
Yuriko almost jumped as she heard Ruki. Heart bouncing, she turned around and pushed a smile on her face. “Oh… oh! That’s so nice!”
“What were you doing?” Ruki pulled Yuriko closer but looked over her shoulder. “I see… They really have the story on the wall.”
“Yeah… but… it could be my English. Yet, I think it’s not correct…” Yuriko tilted her head.
“Your English is just fine if you spotted that.” Ruki nodded. “It seems that the story has taken some twists and turns through history. Nevertheless…” He let out a strained chuckle. “The current owner believed that I was a distant relative of the family who used to live here…”
“Oh?” Well, perhaps it would have sounded too odd if Ruki had revealed that he was the son who went missing.
Ruki wrapped his arm around Yuriko’s shoulders and guided her to the stairs. “Let us go upstairs and settle down. Tonight, you can finally sleep in a proper bed.”
They started to walk up the wooden stairs that squeaked here and there under their feet. The wall next to them was filled with more pictures from past times. It was like walking into history. Yuriko tried to see everything at once, but her head just started to whirl. Perhaps, she could look around the house later, capture every detail of it, for it was more than simply an inn.
Ruki stopped behind a thick door and pushed the key in his hand into the keyhole. The hinges didn’t make a peep but let them in silently into a room with heavy curtains, blocking the daylight and a four-poster bed, again directly from those gothic romances Yuriko had read more than it was healthy for anyone. Such a romantic place to stay!
“Umh… Ruki?” She took her shoes off and twirled around. “This… this isn’t just an inn, is it? And that photo… You aren’t a distant relative, right?”
After closing the door, Ruki nodded. “You are correct, my angel. With that all.”
Sitting on the bed, Yuriko waited. It was no use to pressure Ruki, and he had promised to talk to her anyway. Now, he marched through the room, leaving their bag on the bed and then hurrying to the window to push aside the curtains. The cold light of autumn swayed in the room, but darkness still lingered in the corners.
“I used to live in this house…” Ruki stared out of the window. “This was… my mother’s room.”
Yuriko swallowed. “That was… a long ago, right?”
Ruki nodded, still measuring the view with his gaze. “A very long time ago. My last memories of this place are not fond, but for that exact reason, this is the best place for us to hide. I swore I would never come back here, and I told that even to my brothers. We are safe here.”
“And… umh… your heart?” Ruki’s mother had left him and his father for another man. Because of that, Ruki still hated the woman, and Yuriko could understand him even though she hadn’t gone through the same. Could Ruki really stay in this room that had once belonged to his mother?
Ruki cleared his throat. “What about it?”
“Will it be okay if we stay here?” Yuriko stood up. She closed the space between Ruki and her, wrapping her arms around him from behind. “I’m more worried about that than anything else.”
“I see…” Ruki chuckled, placing his hand over Yuriko’s. “Do not worry, my angel. As long as you are by my side, my heart will always be fine.”
“Then… then I will stay with you for all eternity.” Yuriko didn’t know how since she was a mortal while Ruki was not. But she would find a way, even if that meant that she needed to become a Vampire too. Ruki had pulled her out of the darkness; the least she could do was chase it away around him.
the anniversary is months off, but thought i might as well go ahead and make it. there are no veteran requirements u just gotta be rly into blood sucking losers with mommy issues
tag the dl veterans you know and pass the badge on!
“Yuriko is not your servant.” Ruki’s voice dripped hoarfrost. He shoved Yuriko behind his back, where she grabbed his shoulders, peeking from there.
Carla chortled. “Thou might have an impression she is thy property. Natheless, she was ours ever since she was born.”
“I… I belong to no one else but Ruki!” Yuriko squeezed Ruki’s blazer. She wouldn’t go back. No way!
“Silence, servant fox! Nobody asked thine opinion.” Carla’s tone turned icy. “I shall take care of thee later. Now, thou…” He lifted a corner of his mouth as his gaze slithered toward Shu. “I see thou did not learn thy lesson.”
“Ruki, it’s time.” Shu stepped in front of him and Yuriko, not even bothering to look at them.Â
“I thank you for everything, Shu.” Ruki turned around, wrapping his arms around Yuriko.
Shu chuckled. “Thank me later.”Â
Ruki didn’t answer Shu’s words but pressed his face against Yuriko’s hair. “Prepare yourself, my angel.” It was a mere vibrating whisper.
Yuriko nodded, enveloping Ruki’s body with both of her arms. Briefly, Ruki stroked her hair.
“Close your eyes.”
Without a question, Yuriko did as Ruki told her to. Air swooshed and whirled, lifting her skirt and making the world turn upside down – or at least it felt like it. Yuriko’s stomach squeezed into a tiny ball, and for a moment, she could barely breathe. There was nothing but Ruki and her, hanging onto each other in the void.
A sudden soft breeze danced Yuriko’s hair. She fluttered her eyes open. They were still in the forest… wait! This wasn’t the same forest, was it? While keeping Ruki close, she turned her, trying to catch a glimpse of something familiar.
“We must hurry.” Ruki let go of Yuriko and pushed his hand into his pocket, fishing for something.
“Yes! We need to tell the Vampire king what is going on!” Yuriko nodded. If only she had known where to head, but she didn’t recognize this place. The trees were tall, covering the sky, and the rattling from the bushes sent shivers down her spine. Animals, only tiny animals, right?
“We do not do such a thing.” Ruki’s voice turned icy. He tossed something on the ground and stamped it with his feet several times. The thing made cracking sounds.
“But Ruki –” Yuriko glanced down. “Was that your phone? And mine?!”
Why had Ruki broken both? Not that they worked in the Demon World, but once they were out of there, they could have contacted all the important people, telling them they were fine. Ruki’s actions made no sense.
“I will get you a new one. Eventually.” Ruki took Yuriko’s hand and started to walk. She stumbled after him. His pace was so fast that she had difficulty keeping up with his steps, and every rock and root tried to resist them moving forward as well. Not that Ruki cared; more like he was adamant about pushing forward no matter what.
“Why?” Yuriko panted. Every muscle in her body ached, and her shoes rubbed the back of her feet each time she took a step. Was that pain a blister, or had it already broken? “And where are we going?”
“Away. I can’t tell you more for the time being.” Ruki glanced at Yuriko and lowered his voice. “There could be lurking eyes and ears in this forest.”
Ah, that made sense! Ruki was still afraid that the Founders could find them. Yuriko nodded and squeezed her mouth shut. She wouldn’t make a peep as long as they were walking, she wouldn’t complain even though everything hurt, and her head felt light. For the greater good, she could push through all this because now Ruki was by her side again.
Yuriko was unable to tell for how long they simply walked, but finally, Ruki pulled her into a cavern. It was so dark that she could barely see, so she held onto Ruki’s arm, leaning on him and letting him guide their way through. Each step of theirs echoed from the walls like a looming prediction of terrible things, but surely that was only her imagination. Everything would be fine when they went to Eden Castle. Ruki just needed to take this detour with Yuriko because he didn’t want to reveal their intentions to the Founders, right? That was what all this was about.
After a march that took forever, a light started to sparkle in front of the couple. Yuriko raised her free hand and covered her eyes because it almost burned her, making her gaze all watery. A rich mix of scents hit her nose when they stepped out of the cavern into a different part of the forest. The sun was shining through the trees that celebrated the season with autumn leaf colors.Â
“Oh my gosh, so beautiful!” Yuriko gaped as she looked around, not believing her eyes. Light shone from so high in the sky that they must have roamed through the cavern all night and most of the morning. “Even the air smells different here,” she whispered.
“It does indeed.” Ruki stopped and inhaled. “That brings back… memories.” A sigh left his lips as he turned to Yuriko. “We must teleport again. I do not want to drain you any more than necessary by forcing you to walk through another forest. I will take us to a temporary shelter and then get you something to eat.” He brushed Yuriko’s cheek. “I cannot believe you are in front of me again. Forgive me, my angel, for all the mistakes I have made.”
“Ruki… There’s nothing –”
Ruki pressed his index finger on Yuriko’s lips. “There is more than you can imagine. But not now, let me teleport us.” He pulled her against his chest, stroking her hair once again.Â
Yuriko closed her eyes and clutched Ruki as if he could disappear from her. The familiar sensation of the world turning along with her stomach knocked her almost out of the air this time, forcing her muscles to quiver. But Ruki’s grip was tight, not allowing her to sway from what happened.
“It’s still here…” Ruki’s voice cracked with the words.
Fluttering her eyes open, Yuriko peeked around. No, she didn’t know this place. Right in front of them stood a building that looked like it was about to collapse. Brown-grey walls lacked beauty, and some windows had been broken. No one lived here, that was for sure. But the trees surrounding the house were still sparkling in the midday sun.Â
“Let’s go in. No one will look for us here…” Holding Yuriko’s hand, Ruki pulled her with him. They crossed the overgrown yard to the few steps that led them in from a wooden door that stank of mold.
Yuriko wrinkled her nose, tossing the rising dark thoughts into the furthest parts of her mind. This wasn’t the dungeon. This was just an old building, and they weren’t prisoners. She needed to be brave a little bit longer. Then all this would be over.
Ruki hurried through the hallways until they reached a bedroom with bunk beds. Sheets were in pieces, pillows growing some kind of fungus. Letting go of Yuriko’s hand, Ruki emptied one bed, shoving everything else than the mattress into the fireplace, and tugged Yuriko sitting on the bed with him.
“Finally…” Ruki lifted his hands, cupping Yuriko’s cheeks. His thumbs brushed the corners of her eyes, and only then did she realize that tears were still gliding down. “All is well now. You are safe, and I will take care of you. First, you need to sleep. Then we will talk.”
“But… Ruki… Shu-san… Yui-san… We must –”
“Shush,” Ruki pecked Yuriko’s lips. “Shu has a plan. For it to succeed, you and I need to disappear.”
“He… he has a plan?” Yuriko sobbed between the words. “Yui-san will be saved?”
“Yes. Shu would never let anything happen to her. Do not worry, my angel.” Ruki was so close that their noses were touching, their lips millimeters away from each other. While neither of them was fresh, Yuriko could still smell his musky scent under everything else. The scent of safety. “Your focus should be only on yourself and your master now. Can you do that for me?”
The stormy blue-grey eyes locked onto Yuriko’s gaze. As she leaned in, her lips trembled against Ruki’s. “I can… and I will. Anything for you.”
“That’s my good girl…” Ruki placed his hand on the back of Yuriko’s head, pushing her even closer. Their lips collided, and he captured her in the gentlest of kisses. Her mouth opened for him like a flower for the sun, for he was the brightest light of her life.
“Ah… Ruki…” Yuriko pushed her fingers into his hair, surrendering to his mouth.
But Ruki broke the kiss. “Shh… you must sleep now.”
It was only a soft touch on Yuriko’s nape. The room dimmed in her eyes, and she drifted away…
I would not have wanted to leave Yuriko alone for a second, but I was out of options. So, I lay her on the mattress, took off her glasses, and covered her with her cardigan and my blazer before setting off. She smelled terrible, and her clothes were ready to be thrown into the trash. Not only that, this place had even less food than back in the day, and not a fresh sheet in sight.
Luckily, the town was still where I remembered it to be. It was time to rely on the safety money I had collected through the decades, just in case. Finding a bank took more time than I could have spared, but finally, I had withdrawn enough with the fake identity I had created just to make sure no one would ever find out my little backup plan to keep my brothers safe. Never had I thought there could be a woman I would keep hidden with this all, but there surely was no better use to this all.
Years… decades… had passed. Yet, this place did not stop striking needles through my dead heart. But the feeling was unimportant. Because everyone close to me knew how much hatred, how much disfavor I held against these streets and walls, no one would even think I was here with Yuriko. It was the perfect place to hide while being visible.
Food, clothes, sheets, towels, personal care products… I went through the list in my mind. All the essentials for us to survive until I had planned our next move. People side-eyed me, for I must look like a mess as I roamed through the shops and bought everything I could think of.Â
Two hours later, I stood in the tiny bedroom I had sworn never to return to. Yuriko had been curled into a tiny ball on the mattress as a fox, only her snout now peeking under the cardigan. Perhaps that was for the best. I would let her sleep until I needed to fix the bed for the night.Â
Working quietly, I burned all the old bedding in the fireplace and carried water into the house while the room was warming. We would not need much. Only a bed with a table, and a bathroom. A place to store food.
The kitchen was a mess, and there was no working refrigerator, but an old cold closet did the trick with the few food items I had brought with me. Soon, I would make sure Yuriko would eat enough. But before that, I hurried to the bathroom to clean it up and fill the tub with warm water. It was quite a task to warm it up in the fireplace and carry it in, but there was nothing I would not do for my angel.Â
The sun was setting behind the trees when I was finally done. I roamed back into the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed. Leaning in, I pecked the fox’s soft fur on the top of her head.
“Time to wake up, my angel…”Â
Something was off… Yuriko lifted her head, and it collided with something. Ah, that scent and chuckle! Ruki! Glancing up, Yuriko wished to greet him… but why did he look so huge?
Oh my gosh! I’m in my fox form! Yuriko jumped on her paws, shaking her body. The cardigan slipped off her. Uh-huh, everything stank terribly.Â
“I can see…” Ruki said, but stopped to chuckle. “I guess I should say that I can hear that you have learned the fox talk Yuuto told me earlier about.”
Fox talk? Yuriko tilted her head.
“Talking directly into my mind.” Ruki tapped his temple with his index finger. “But right now, I would prefer hearing your voice. Can you turn back?”
I… I think so! Yuriko shifted, sitting on the bed. For the longest time, she was a little less tired. Yet her muscles still ached, and her stomach let out a loud growl as she moved. Ah… it had been a while since her latest meal.
Focusing, Yuriko called out her human body. The change came slower than usual, but she could feel how it vibrated through her. The room grew tinier in her eyes… or more like into a normal size. It was warmer than it had been when they arrived, and it seemed that Ruki had done a bit of a clean-up.Â
“Well…” Ruki cleared his throat and glanced at Yuriko. “I guess you did not need that uniform anymore…”
Peeking down, Yuriko gasped. “Oh my gosh! I forgot to bring back my clothes! And my glasses!”
All naked. Yuriko was all naked. Not that Ruki hadn’t seen everything already, but this was such a beginner mistake. She had been past this stage. Now, all she had was the cardigan that smelled for kilometers.Â
“Your glasses are right here.” Ruki picked them up from a nearby table and handed them to Yuriko, who put them on. “As for your clothes, I brought new ones for us both. You can have yours after taking a bath, I have prepared for you.”
New clothes? Bath? Just how long had Yuriko been out of it? As she shivered, wrapping her arms around her body, Ruki pulled her into an embrace. He was really there. Pressing her face against his broad chest, Yuriko simply breathed. She could feel how he brushed her back, sending cold shivers all over her, but Yuriko wouldn’t have it any other way. His touch was all she needed right now.
“Let us get you in that bath.” Ruki collected Yuriko in his arms in a bridal style and lifted her from the bed. Carrying her through the room and into another, he put her in a rather small and ages-old bathtub, but it didn’t even occur to Yuriko to complain. It was clean and smelled of lavender while being lit by a candle. Everything was as perfect as it could be, knowing the state of affairs. In other circumstances, she had called it romantic.
Soon, Yuriko was in the water, and Ruki hurried somewhere. She could hear him working in the bedroom. Honestly, it sounded like he was moving the furniture.
He should rest as well… Yuriko sighed and sank deeper into the water. Her knees peeked from the foam.  Gosh! They were so full of bruises… Yuriko lifted one leg. Yeah, there were scratch marks and bruises all over it. The other wasn’t in any better state. She sat up straighter, checking her upper body. Both sides… old, yellowish skin discolorations.
Swallowing, Yuriko traced her shoulders. Nothing there but aching places. As she ran her fingertips along her neck, she flinched. A bite mark. There was another on her nape under her hairline. It throbbed even more. Well… actually that was the first Carla had given her. The skin felt swollen and torn apart. Would it ever heal perfectly?
Gosh… I hope Ruki won’t hate me for this… I have done so much wrong, and yet he is now taking care of me… Yuriko leveled her face into her palms, trembling all over when the sobs came. Because of her mistakes, terrible things had happened to Ruki… to Yuuto… and Yui. If only Shu’s mysterious plan would work… If it meant she had to disappear together with Ruki, she would gladly do so. But that didn’t release her from being guilty of all this. All might have gone better for everyone if she hadn’t been there because she had messed up for good.
“Yuriko…” Ruki’s voice sounded like he had difficulty speaking.
Lifting her head, Yuriko peeked at Ruki, but the view stayed watery. He was leaning on the door frame and simply gazing at her. “Ruki…”
“Are you in pain?”
Yuriko shook her head. Yes, everything ached, but otherwise, her body was working properly. If only she could have said the same for her soul, which was stained forever because of her deeds. How could she ever redeem herself?
Ruki stepped into the bathroom. “Then why are you crying? You are safe now, I promise.”
“I’m so sorry…” The water splashed when Yuriko lowered her hands faster than she meant.
“For what?” Ruki squatted next to the bathtub and stroked her hair.
And Yuriko let it out. All the mistakes she had made during these last weeks, all the lies and secrets, not leaving out a single thing. Words swooshed out of her like she had become a flood. It was the mother of all confessions, for she had done worse than she ever could have imagined.
“And… and… this…” Yuriko gathered her hair and turned, showing her nape to Ruki. “I’m so sorry… I tried to fight back, but Carla-san… He did it anyway. He took my blood… I didn’t want him to…”
Ruki slid his icy finger right next to the marks on Yuriko’s neck. “This might leave a scar…” He sighed. “But I hope only to your skin, for you deserve to forget all that happened.”
Yuriko’s shoulders shook as the new wave of sobs burst out of her.
“Did he do something else? Something worse?” Ruki kissed her nape, nuzzling his nose against it. “You can tell me. I would never judge you. He is to blame for everything, not you, Yuriko. None of this was your fault. You only tried to do what you thought was best in an impossible situation. And as your master, I failed to listen to you. I made you feel like you could not talk to me, even though it should be the opposite. So, please, I beg you, my angel. Tell me everything.”
All the time Ruki talked, his lips caressed Yuriko’s skin right next to the spot Carla had blemished, as it didn’t matter that another man had marked her.
“No…” Yuriko whispered. “He just bit me… and hit me… Tossed me around.”
“He will never lay a finger on you again.” Ruki kissed all over Yuriko’s neck, then took her shoulders and turned her around. “I apologize for not being a better master for you. You were harmed because I was not careful enough, but that will not happen anymore. From now on, you will be safe at all times.”
“Ruki… but you too, please.” Yuriko swallowed. She took Ruki’s hands and placed them on her cheeks, putting her palms on them. “Please, don’t keep secrets anymore. Share everything with me. We can trust each other and build our lives. I want to do that without lies and secrets… Promise me this… Please?”
“My pleading angel… how could I ever say no to you?” Ruki locked his gaze with Yuriko’s. “I promise. No more secrets, no more dishonesty.” He let out a chortle. “Look at me, what you have done to me, Yuriko. You changed everything. Yet, I could not be happier to have you. I have no idea how you did it, but you have melted my icy heart and brought it back alive. If it could beat, it would throb only for you.”
Blinking heavily, Yuriko felt how her lips curled up. “I love you, Ruki. More than I can ever tell.”
“Well, you will have all eternity to try,” Ruki chuckled and pecked Yuriko’s lips. “I love you as well. From the bottom of my heart. Now, keep that smile on your face, and let me wash your hair before this water cools down. We have dinner to eat.”
“Oh my… I’m so full…”Â
I could not help my smile as I saw Yuriko leaning back in the chair and rubbing her belly through the sweater I had purchased for her earlier today. White wool suited her well, complementing the sky-blue tips of her hair. Although the shirt looked a little too big, as did the pants on her. She had indeed lost some weight, but I would fix that as soon as possible.
“I have to admit this was not the best dinner I have ever made.” I handed a new glass of water to Yuriko, who downed it without a question.
“Gosh, Ruki, it was the most delicious thing I have eaten in weeks!”
Silence fell between us. Yuriko gasped and covered her mouth as I stared at her. The Founders had let her starve, and without Elizabeth’s help, she would not have gotten enough energy for the fox transformation. I would never forgive the two and would be forever grateful to that little Zombie for taking care of Yuriko when I could not.Â
“Umh… I’m sorry…” Yuriko put the empty glass on the table. “I didn’t mean to imply…”
“We cannot deny what happened. You are allowed to speak about it.” I pushed my plate aside and linked our fingers on the table I had carried into the bedroom.Â
The candle between us flickered as Yuriko breathed out. “Still… right now, I only want to be with you…” She moved her foot under the table, sliding her wool sock-covered toes along my calf. The purposefully of the movement did not get past me.
“I wish nothing more than that as well.” A genuine smile curled my lips. When was the last time I had smiled? There was no recalling it. But now, it did not matter. Surely, Yuriko would give me all the reasons to smile once again.
“Then… come…” Yuriko pulled her hands from my grip and stood up, gesturing toward the bed. It was rather tiny for two adults, and I did not want to think about the mattresses, but at least the sheets were fresh now for my angel to sleep.Â
As Yuriko sat on the edge of the bed, I followed her even though the top of my head almost reached the base of the upper bed. Yuriko leaned in, drawing circles on my sweater with her fingertip and gazing up at my eyes. “Ruki…”
“Yes, my angel…”
“I missed you so much…” A rosy tone of color climbed up her cheeks. Now, what was in that curious mind of hers?
“I missed you as well, and tonight you shall sleep again in my arms.” If only I could offer her a better place to stay, but we needed to lay low for a while to see if anyone would come after us. Perhaps, after a few days, I could search for a proper hotel or inn to take her in. Or rent a room.
Yuriko shifted, crawling closer until she was climbing on my lap. I did not stop her but slid my hands along her back, only to hold her even closer as her legs settled on both sides of me.
Closing the distance between us, Yuriko placed her lips on mine. “I slept through the day, I’m not tired.” She sucked my lower lip, and I felt it all the way on the bottom of my stomach and in my loins. Fuck. She was already spurring me on, even though she was in no shape to do such things with me. Not yet, not after everything she had been through.
Holding Yuriko by her waist, ready to gently push her farther, yet at that moment her tiny tongue darted past my lips and into my mouth. Growling into the kiss, I pressed my hand against her back, leaning in and tangling my tongue with hers while sweeping her off balance. She trusted herself in my care, not even flinching. Such a good girl.
Fuck. I needed her. In my mind, I was already tearing apart the clothes I had just gotten for her. She should be claimed again, marked as mine.
Yet, I could not do it. She must be all sore and sensitive everywhere. Not to mention the state of her soul. She needed to be treated sweetly, not roughly, and hot as I yearned for. I could not be selfish in this moment, no matter how much she was luring me in with her swaying hips and groins that were rubbing against my hardening length.Â
So long, it had been so long. All those eternal hours without Yuriko in my arms, without my cock sunk deep into her damp depths. I needed that squeeze around my shaft, her walls clenching around it, embracing it like nothing else could. But it was not only that primal urge. For months now, I have come to realize that I craved something more when it came to my angel. I could not go on without her lips on my mouth, her body nudging on mine while her breathing turned into wavering pants and the words of love sailed from her into me.
Yes. That was what I ached for.
But… After all… Yuriko had been imprisoned, and I still did not know in detail what exactly Carla had done to her aside from biting her harshly enough to leave permanent marks on her nape. Yuriko had stated he had been violent, but could it be that she had left something unsaid?
I wanted to kill that fucking Founder. And if Shu did not end him, I would find a way to do it myself. No one could hurt my angel and get away with it. He would pay in one way or another.
“Ruki… please…” Yuriko’s pleading voice snapped me out of my darkening thoughts. She locked her eyes with mine. Amber-yellow. The heated shade of her lust.
“Haa… you shall be the end of me…” Lifting my hand, I picked up her glasses and put them aside.
“Then you should also be the end of me.” Such a quivering whisper, almost inaudible, a mere hush. “I want you so badly, I need you, Ruki. Please…”
This angel was my personal devil, always tempting me, and I was unable to deny her wishes. How could I say no to those pleading eyes and begging lips? Yuriko had changed something definitive in me. Never had I allowed a woman to guide my ways like she did.
And I did not mind.
It was like a strike through my heart, deep and devastating. No, not devastating. Quite the opposite. It built my shattered soul again, made me alive once more because loving this woman in my arms meant giving myself into her care in the same manner she surrendered in mine. She was the one who commanded my heart… not-so-dead-after-all heart.
Yuriko was the lifeline I held onto and I would always hold. Never would I let go of her, no matter what.
“You are sore, are you not?” My voice was also flickering as I pushed the words out. I swayed Yuriko on the squeaky mattress and brushed her cheek. So pale, so thin, bruised all over; she looked even more fragile than before.
Silence lingered for a moment. Then. A nod. “I… I am… but not in… that way…” Yuriko squirmed, raising her arms. Her fingers found my nape, tangled with my hair before she pulled me closer. “Please, Ruki, I beg you. I want to feel you in me.”
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I truly could not deny this wish. Not when she was asking like this.
“Very well then. Prepare yourself, Yuriko.” I removed her hands from my neck and straightened up, only to pull off my new sweater. It was difficult in the small space we had on the bottom bed. Yet Yuriko followed suit, slithering out of her shirt and revealing her bare breasts under it, tiny rosy buds already perking as if asking for me to conquer them.
I made a mental note that Yuriko needed proper new underwear, but that was a problem for another time. Now, it was almost impossible to tear my gaze off those soft mounds. To my pleasure, they were unblemished. At least, that disgusting mut had left my angel’s private parts alone.
“Tonight, I will not take much of your blood.” I forced the words out to make Yuriko feel safe, but also ensure myself with them. She was weaker than ever, I must not endanger her health. But I also wished to claim her, establish our bond once more. “But I would like to mark you.”
Again, Yuriko nodded. “Please do. I want you to mark me from one end to the other, I need you to claim me. I belong to you and only to you, Ruki. It should be written on all parts of my skin.”
More and more. I loved her to a greater degree with every passing second. Yuriko had been made for me ever since she was born. There were no other explanations. Everything in my life had led me into this very moment with her. She was perfect for me, all I needed. The greatest joy of my eternal life. Her words were the sweetest music to my ears; I could never get bored listening to her.
“As you wish.” A chuckle left my lips as I pulled off Yuriko’s pants. It had been strange to see her in them, for she usually wore only skirts and dresses. Once we could move around, I would make sure that she would get more fitting clothes again. I have to admit I was not the most skillful in choosing such things. Yet, now I could not lean on my brother’s wisdom in the matters of fashion. Still, Yuriko probably knew what would suit her.
I tossed the pants on the floor, throwing mine off right after. While I still had my boxers, Yuriko had nothing at all. Even with bruises hugging her all over, she was the most beautiful sight in the world. But… I could not sink my fangs into the parts of her that were already hurting. That was not the kind of pain I wished to inflict on her, for it would not be pleasurable.
No matter how much time passed, I could rest my eyes on Yuriko. But she reached her arms, asking me to come closer without any words. Yet, this was the language we both spoke so well. Leaning in, I ran my fingertips along Yuriko’s side. There was a dark spot right under her ribs. I bypassed it without touching it, focusing on the unblemished parts of her. She shivered as I traced her skin, drawing invisible lines with my digits. Still warm, still adorable, still mine. Nothing would change that. Never.
“Now… part those legs for your master.”Â
It was almost amusing how Yuriko instantly spread her legs apart. She had been so timid when we had met, and even now pink flushed over her face when she allowed me to see her most hidden treasures. Still, she did not hesitate to obey my commands. A pleasing thought, that.Â
As Yuriko moved her legs, I felt a smirk rising on my lips. Such a wet, glistening she was dripping for me. But I would need to hold back tonight. Sliding my fingers along her calf, I proceed up without a hurry. I traced her knee, drew circles on her inner thigh. No marks of others there. I placed a kiss on the plumpness. She had not lost all the softness of her legs, and I would make sure she would gain all the missing weight back in no time.Â
Nudging the tip of my nose, I took my time enjoying her scent. Her blood throbbed through her veins as her heartbeat accelerated when I inched closer to her dampened curls. Just a little sip… I would not take too much.
I closed my eyes and pressed my fangs through Yuriko’s skin. She whimpered, leg tensing, and grabbed my shoulders. Her nails scraped my skin, but I allowed it. She was the only one whom I had ever let do such a thing and get away with it.
I sucked. The sweet heat coated my tongue in the instant, and the sensation struck through me like a tidal wave. This taste, this syrupy thickness! Nothing in the world compared to it. There was a hint of savory in the middle of the suavity. Taking another suckle, I surrendered to this temptation that had lured me to her in the first place. Damn me, but I had missed this, the way she fulfilled all my senses and made me complete.
“Ah… Ruki…!” Yuriko’s nails dug into my skin once again. Her hips rose, her thigh slipping against my lips.
Hastily, I pulled my fangs out. Droplets of blood appeared from the puncture marks. “Careful, my angel…” I licked over them, sealing the wound with the action. Perhaps that had been enough. She had probably lost a lot during the past few days. Even with the burning urge to bite again, I covered her pale skin with kisses instead, relishing in her thickening scent of lust.
“Oh gosh, Ruki please…!”
I chuckled. “What is it, Yuriko?”
She panted, squeezing my shoulders. With each breath, her legs quivered, her hips swayed. Yes, I knew perfectly well what she was after. Yet, it was such a pleasure to watch her squirm with a flaring face as I forced the words out of her.
“I… I… Ruki… I beg you… I need your… tongue… umhhh!” Yuriko’s own voice made her gasp. “Please… lick me…”
“That’s my good girl…” I pressed my face on her moist curls, spreading her legs even farther apart. The intoxicating aroma of ardor sailed into me, almost clouding my mind. Separating her swollen petals, I inhaled. Perfection.
Yuriko’s blood was – without a doubt – the sweetest taste in the world, but this came right after. No other meal could win over it. I slid my tongue along her opening folds, enjoying every tiny yelp that escaped from her. The tiny pearl shuddered as I circled it, taking my time.
A frustrated sigh jumped into my ears as Yuriko tangled her fingers with my hair. Such an eager girl she was, so naughty only for me. Wrapping the throbbing bud with my lips, I sucked it gently. Fingers tugged my hair, Yuriko arched her back, letting out a wail of bliss. She responded to my touch so well. Always so well.
I kept going, feasting with Yuriko’s juices as they gushed on my lips. She pulled my hair, whining and squirming, lost in the waves of desire. Legs trembling, she threw her calves over my shoulder, pressing the heels of her feet against my back.
“Please more! Oh gosh, don’t stop!”Â
The words I always wished to hear. Circling her entrance, I sank a finger into her depths. So wet and ready. Feeling her around my digit, I moved it in and out, again and again. She could take more, I knew it, slipping in the second finger.Â
A whine coursed from Yuriko’s lips. I sucked her pearl and thrust a third digit deep into her, curling the tips over her sensitive spot.
“Gosh, gosh, gosh! Too much!”Â
It was not. Teasing her bud with my tongue, I guided Yuriko into the torturous sensation of satisfaction, keeping my pace as she begged and whimpered, her nails scratching my scalp and heels hitting my upper back. Whenever she was about to relax, I sped up, using my fingers and tongue to shove her back toward the stars. She exploded against my lips, coating my face with her sticky liquids. Sobbing whines filled the air along with her quivering moans as she trembled all over, trying to throw me off her. Yet, I did not let her. With a final sway of my tongue, I sent her above once more until she was nothing but a mess of wavering cries and completely limp under me.
Smooching Yuriko’s shuddering thigh, I raised my face and rested my chin on her abdomen. Her eyes were only partly open, a panting breath running between her lips. She was at her limit, but this way, she would sleep through the night.Â
But me… I would not. My boxers were too tight, my loins too burning, craving for the release I hadn’t had for a while. Yet, I could not ask her for that. Not now, she would need to recover first.
“...Ruki…” Such a raspy voice, yet feather-light at the same time. “I…”
“Yes?” Supporting my elbow on the mattress, I lifted my body slightly. Yuriko’s leg trembled against my shoulder, and I took hold of both of them, sliding them down.Â
“I… I… need more…”
More? She looked like she had just come apart, which she indeed had – I still could taste her syrupy aroma that coated my tongue. I doubt she could have any more than I had already given her.
“Tomor–”
“No, Ruki! Please! I wish to feel you, I wish to have all of you…” Desperation made her lips quiver along with her voice. “I beg you…”
Fuck. Yuriko had learned to play our game too well. Of course, nothing else was to be expected, for I had been training her. She already knew how to make her master yield before her with those moan-like pleas.
Crawling closer to Yuriko’s face, I gazed into her golden eyes, now pacific from the past pleasure. I brushed a stray curl off her face that was painted with the pink of the sunset sky in the autumn.Â
“Are you sure, my angel?” My shaft jerked with the words. If only she would say yes.
A nod.
I hauled my boxers off, not caring where they ended up. “Prepare yourself.”
Yuriko’s legs found my waist, enveloping it as I nudged my cock on her moist petals that were luring me deeper. She arched her back, her stomach rubbing against mine while she held onto my nape. “Ruki… please… just take me…”
That was the only cue I needed. I thrust my length deep within her. The walls of her were crushing me the instant I hit her sweet spot. The most beautiful wail of bliss vibrated out of her and into my mouth as I covered hers with it and pulled her into the most French kiss I had ever given her, fucking her mouth with my tongue as I bounced into her.
I should have been gentle with her.
But…
Yuriko moaned onto my lips, and I couldn’t help but groan. She was so hot and wet around me, clenching my shaft like she was not going to let go ever again. I broke the kiss but only to shower her neck with more. Her heart pumped blood through those veins I smooched all over, singing an unsteady, ever-escalating song that lured me like a siren tempted a sailor.Â
My loins pounded against Yuriko’s. Almost like moving on their own, for I was beyond control, intoxicated by her closeness. She whined and squirmed, moving with me while digging her nails into my nape.Â
Not long. I would not last for long. Fuck. Thousands of sparkles dash through me, lightning striking along with my veins. This was too good, too damn ravishing, each shove blinding my mind to a greater degree.
As I plunged into her, Yuriko’s breasts bobbed. Those perky mounds, still unblemished. Slowing down, I leaned in, capturing the rosy bud of one of them in my mouth and sucking it. Yuriko moaned, almost cried, and the bean hardened against my tongue.
Stars exploded behind my eyes, filling my mind with the purest of all lights as gratification waved through my body. I jerked my hips, sinking deep into Yuriko’s depths, and let off her nipple to drive my fangs into the bouncy flesh of her breast. As her sweet blood gushed into my mouth, I let go, coming apart and filling her with my load.
At that moment, we were one, as there were no boundaries between us. Her blood was in me, my seed in her, and the bond that tied us together was strengthened once more.
“Yuriko is not your servant.” Ruki’s voice dripped hoarfrost. He shoved Yuriko behind his back, where she grabbed his shoulders, peeking from there.
Carla chortled. “Thou might have an impression she is thy property. Natheless, she was ours ever since she was born.”
“I… I belong to no one else but Ruki!” Yuriko squeezed Ruki’s blazer. She wouldn’t go back. No way!
“Silence, servant fox! Nobody asked thine opinion.” Carla’s tone turned icy. “I shall take care of thee later. Now, thou…” He lifted a corner of his mouth as his gaze slithered toward Shu. “I see thou did not learn thy lesson.”
“Ruki…” Shu muttered and stepped between the couple and Carla, not even glancing at them.
Oh my gosh, Shu-san is going to fight for us. If Ruki’s earlier thoughts were true, he has no chance… Yuriko’s heart pounded so loudly that it was even difficult to think. What to do, what to do?Â
There was no way Yuriko and Ruki could fight here and win. Shu neither. But… but if they managed to escape, they could get help. Leaving Shu behind pained Yuriko’s heart, setting a heavy squeeze around her chest.Â
“Forgive me, Yui-san…” Yuriko whispered into the wind and snatched Ruki’s hand in hers. “Come!” She dashed into the woods.
Ruki would have the strength to stop Yuriko, yet he did not. Instead, Yuriko could hear how his feet patted against the floor of the forest along with hers. She didn’t mind the tiny branches that beat her face, even though she tried to dodge them. Faster, faster, faster! They needed to get away.
“Yuriko…” Ruki tugged her hand between the steps.
No, it was not the time to stop. “We must run!” Yuriko’s lungs burned, but she kept going.
As they swooped to a clearance, there was someone in the middle of it. Yuriko gasped, stumbling as she stopped, but Ruki saved her from falling by grabbing her waist.
“Yuriko, I can’t believe you betrayed me again!” Shin glared at the couple. With a swift move, he was directly in front of them, seizing them by their necks. “And you, Ruki, I told you what I’d do if you made a wrong move.”
“Shin –” Yuriko tried to apologize, but fingers clenched around her neck, making her cough and gag. The world was dimming around her.
“Let her go!” Something flashed next to Yuriko’s face as Ruki moved, even though he was also dangling in Shin’s grip.
A disgusting sound of a knife stabbing into flesh bounced in Yuriko’s ears, and only a few seconds later, sticky liquid hit her face. Shin let go of her, dropping her on the ground. Her knee hit a rock, a pain exploding through her leg. For a moment, everything was white, but then the feeling turned into a dull throbbing.
Yuriko pressed her palms on the grass, pushing her body up. Needing to get support, she dug her fingers into the soil for a while, not minding the dirt that slid under her nails. Her knee wailed, not wanting to carry her weight. Leaning more on her other leg, Yuriko managed to straighten herself.Â
The view was getting blurry with Ruki and Shin’s tangled bodies turning a mess in Yuriko’s eyes. However, as she lifted her trembling hand and tossed her glasses aside, the night became clear once more. Both men were covered in blood, Ruki slashing Shin wherever he could, but then Shin growled and shoved him to the ground. Grunting, Ruki rose with the silver knife still in his hand. He was heaving and staggering.
He was no match for Carla-san… Yuriko tried to step forward, but her knee jagged flashes of pain toward her toes and thigh. Yet, she could not stay still. Limping forward, she tried to reach the Vampire and Founder who were circling each other, ready to kill.
Turning her palms up, Yuriko called for her fire. Yes, she was aware it would not burn Shin. Still, it could distract enough for Ruki to get a chance. The flare crackled within her, thrusting out through her hands and then flickering all around her. With a swaying step, Yuriko proceeded closer to the fighting duo.Â
“Fuck! Yuriko, stay where you are!” Ruki’s voice was strained. He would not be able to carry on much longer.Â
This would be the last time, but Yuriko couldn’t obey Ruki. Collecting whatever strength she had left, she raised her hands once more, guiding the fire toward Shin.Â
“I’m sorry…” A mere whisper, and the flames burst faster than ever, covering Shin from head to toe. Something warm dripped on Yuriko’s cheeks.
“That’s the third time!” Shin’s growl blazed through the night behind the dancing flames. “It’s all your fault, Yuriko. You force me to do this.”
“Nothing is her fault!” Ruki hoisted his knife, ready for the final strike. Yet, he never got the chance. In front of Yuriko’s eyes, Shin lunged from the fire, stealing the knife with a brisk hand movement and shoving it directly into Ruki’s heart.
“NO!” Yuriko’s legs gave up when a new shot of blood hit her. The pain that demolished her knee did not matter anymore, for her heart and soul had shattered into pieces.Â
Shin merely dropped Ruki on the ground, pulling the knife out while doing so. He stepped over the Vampire’s body, marching before Yuriko. Blood-covered fingers wrapped around her neck, yet she didn’t even fight back.
“You caused this, Yuriko. If you cooperated, I wouldn’t have to kill him.” Shin glanced at the knife, throwing it away. “It’d be too merciful to end you here. I’m gonna see what Big Brother has to say to you…” He lifted Yuriko by her neck, making the world dim around her, but she was beyond caring. Ruki was gone, dying while defending her. Shin was right. Everything was Yuriko’s fault, and she would deserve all that would come to her, but even that could not atone for her deeds and bring Ruki back.
I will follow you, Ruki… as soon as I can… Yuriko closed her eyes and let Shin carry her wherever he wanted.
“Yuriko is not your servant.” Ruki’s voice dripped hoarfrost. He shoved Yuriko behind his back, where she grabbed his shoulders, peeking from there.
Carla chortled. “Thou might have an impression she is thy property. Natheless, she was ours ever since she was born.”
“I… I belong to no one else but Ruki!” Yuriko squeezed Ruki’s blazer. She wouldn’t go back. No way!
“Silence, servant fox! Nobody asked thine opinion.” Carla’s tone turned icy. “I shall take care of thee later. Now, thou…” He lifted a corner of his mouth as his gaze slithered toward Shu. “I see thou did not learn thy lesson. I am afraid that for that thou must die.”
“Ruki…” Shu didn’t even bother glancing at Carla. “Do it now. This is my cue.”
“I will –”
A shriek escaped from Yuriko’s lips when something seized her from behind. Suddenly, she smelled a familiar scent, one she had thought she could trust. “Shin! Let go of me!”
“This was the last time Chipmunk and you crossed me!” Shin’s voice was more growling than speaking when he tossed Yuriko against a tree.
Stars exploded behind Yuriko’s eyes as her head hit the trunk. She gaped and swayed only to realize Shin was still holding her. Ruki groaned and dashed against the Founder, who simply lifted his hand and grappled Yuriko’s love by his throat.
“You filthy traitor!” Ruki spat the words out.
“Funny, I could use the exact same words about you.” Shin glared at Ruki. Yuriko saw him tightening his grip on Ruki’s neck, forcing gagging sounds out of the Vampire.
“Shin! Please, stop this! I only escaped to be with Ruki! I love him like you love Eli-chan, you should understand –”
Burning golden eye captured Yuriko’s gaze with a twisted smile. “She won’t betray me ever again…”
“What? Of course, she won’t! She loves you!” Yuriko kicked her legs, trying to get free.
“Loved.” Shin let out a hysterical chuckle. “Like Ruki…” He squeezed harder, and a snap cut the air, stopping Ruki’s groaning and gagging in a second. “...loved you.” Shin let the Vampire’s body drop to the ground. “Pitiful.”
“No! No! No! RUKI!” Yuriko started to wiggle, hitting Shin wherever she could while kicking him with all the strength she had left. She needed to get out of his grip to give Ruki some of her blood. To save Ruki before it would be too late. She wouldn’t let another loved one go. There was no life without Ruki, but if she simply acted now –
The tree shook as Shu’s body hit it. Shin let go of Yuriko, who dropped to the floor of the forest. Not minding looking around, she crawled on all fours to Ruki.
“Please, please, be alive!” Yuriko lifted Ruki’s head, but it swayed to the side into an unnatural position without any reaction from him. “No!” Yuriko pulled Ruki’s upper body onto her lap, leaning down and hugging him, but he didn’t move at all. This couldn’t be. She couldn’t have lost him. This was not possible!
As the fight with Shu and the two Founders went on, Yuriko simply sat there, holding Ruki. Her gaze turned blurry, but nothing mattered anymore. She had lost the love of her life, there was no reason to keep going…
“Thou! Servant fox!” Carla snatched Yuriko by her nape and dragged her off Ruki. She fought, crying and screaming, but it was no use. His clench made the world dim around her as fingers pressed into her skin, blocking air from her lungs.
Please… just do it. Let me go with Ruki…
A crack radiated through Yuriko’s bones, but it only lasted for a moment. The pain didn’t even reach her when she was already falling, falling, falling… into the embrace of the eternal darkness.
