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Hiyori was never one to break the rules. She’s never stolen anything, ate all her vegetables, and passed all her tests. There was one rule that Hiyori has made a habit of breaking on a daily basis: her curfew. A year ago, the high school student wouldn’t dream of sneaking out of her room at dusk to skip across town and hang out with the undead. But now it was such a habit Hiyori found the daytime to be a little jarring. Thankfully, ‘the undead’ in this case was not zombies or ghosts but with a race that humanity believed to only exist in stories.
“Good evening, Hiyori!” Daikoku greeted as he opened the door. The girl nodded to the undead-human, his complexion looking paler than it’s usual ivory.
“Good evening,” Hiyori gave a short bow, “may I come in?” She didn’t have to ask- she wasn’t the one who couldn’t enter homes without permission- but Hiyori had come to learn it was polite among this type of company.
“Of course,” Daikoku nodded. Moving aside, Daikoku let Hiyori enter the home, her clothes a sharp contrast from the perky, romantic gothic interior decorations the home had. At the pink glass table, shaped like a cross, sat a young woman with curly pink hair and lips painted in blood.
“Hiyori!” Kofuku sat up. No, the creatures that have been living amongst humans- the ones Hiyori made her friends in- were vampires. The kind that sucked blood, transformed, and held special powers unique to their individual. They were also the kind of creature that could transform humans into their servants under the right conditions.
“Aaht! Aaht!” Daikoku chided, “face!” He gestured to the red around the young lady’s mouth. Kofuku let out a giggle and reached for a lacy napkin on the table, slightly embarrassed.
“Oops, sorry!” She said, wiping the blood from her face. Hiyori just smiled and rolled her eyes, already desensitized to such eating habits. She didn’t have to look to know Daikoku sported two fresh puncture wounds on his neck. Such is the trade of being brought back to life by his master. Speaking of master and servant.
“Are Yato and Yukine awake yet? I have Yukine’s homework graded,” Hiyori patted her bag, holding the eternal teen’s assignments.
“They should be gettin up soon. Yukine has training tonight,” Daikoku said.
“Ah that’s right! I’ll go wake them.” Hiyori smiled, putting her things down.
“Oh, you sure you want to do that Hiyori?” Kofuku grinned, “they cleaned up a lot of corrupt souls last night. Yatty will probably wake up hungry.” She intoned, leaning across the table on one elbow. Kofuku’s smile revealed her sharp canines that matched Yato’s, short compared to the length those twin needles could grow. Despite the trust Hiyori had in these people, she still swallowed thickly at the sight, not knowing what it felt like to be pierced.
“Stop that, don’t scare her,” Daikoku huffed, “Yato has Yukine now and he’s hardly the man-eater he used to be.” The servant shrugged. Hiyori gave them a nod before making her way up the stairs to the attic her friends made their home in. She knocked on the door lightly before peeking into the pitch black room. On the floor was a nice futon, empty, so Hiyori forced a little more of her body in. Towards the back of the room was a ramshackle coffin, spray painted black with a gold crown where the cross should be, empty. Taking another step, Hiyori squinted to try and make out if anyone was actually in the room, until a subtle movement caught her eye.
“Goodmorning, Yato,” Hiyori whispered, giving him a wave. Dangling from a wooden beam, a pitch black megabat shuffled its wings. Yato peaked at her with light blue eyes like snow globes, squinting at the hallway light from down a fox-like snout.
“Oh sorry,” Hiyori closed the door as much as she could. She smiled as the bat chirped and squeaked softly, rubbing his wings over his eyes. Leaving the door where it is, Hiyori went to stand under the vampire, footsteps just as quiet as her voice. Bats had such delicate hearing after all.
“I have Yukine’s homework, could you wake him up please?” Hiyori asked softly. Yato blinked at her once then shuffled around again. Eventually his wings unfolded to reveal a tiny blonde bat clinging to his master's stomach, asleep in the black fur.
“Yukine held his transformation while sleeping,” Hiyori gasped quietly, “that’s wonderful!” Her excitement was met with a louder chirp before Yato got to waking Yukine up. His snout nuzzled the smaller one’s head, licking and nipping, until Yukine let out a groggy squawk. The servant was clearly upset with being woken up but Yato quickly clicked to him and explained the situation. Finally, Yukine looked down at her, his bat form having a pushed up nose and large ribbed ears. He gave a chirp in greeting before Hiyori raised the back of her hand. Yukine’s golden eyes narrowed and he tucked his legs and wings under him, body swaying as he judged the distance. Yato was watching him, chirping out orders and suggestions. After a couple of long seconds, Yukine leapt off his master’s stomach and half glided, half struggled his way through the air until he crashed into Hiyori’s hand.
“That was a good try, Yukine,” Hiyori offered, helping him onto her palm. The bat, a puff ball just bigger than her hand, let out a huff of frustration. Now Yato’s chirping was much louder, sounding more like light chastising, which Yukine returned in kind.
“Now, now, Yukine, let’s go over your homework,” Hiyori said. Making her way to the door, the air around Hiyori was suddenly whipped around, blowing her hair across her face and eyes.
“Yato!” Hiyori shouted over the loud flapping right next to her ear, “warn me before you use me as a landing perch!” Her pleas were ignored as she felt hooked feet latch onto her shoulder and a weight push her down. Yukine was shouting at Yato while Yato chirped back happily. It occurred to Hiyori that maybe Yato’s previous sounds were directed at her. She sighed as she walked the two bickering bats down the stairs.
“Can’t you walk down the stairs yourself? Lazy bastard, don’t make a highschool girl carry you down!” Daikoku immediately hollered when they entered the room. It took the two bats a couple seconds to adjust to the lights again before Yato just squawked and swooped towards the table.
“Come off it, Daikoku. Hiyori’s a tough girl,” Yato said as he transformed and took a seat at the table. The man was still in his pajamas and Hiyori could only guess Yukine was the same. She sat down and held her hand steady as Yukine climbed onto the table, his movements much more graceful in this form than a month ago.
“Yuki! You stayed in your form this whole time!” Kofuku praised, scratching under Yukine’s chin.
“Nice job kid!” Daikoku chimed in. Yukine thanked them with cute little chirps, shuffling his body so that he was sitting up better.
“Now you just have to shift back,” Kofuku said lightly. The room went quiet as they watched Yukine with supportive smiles. The tiny bat’s body shook as Yukine squeezed his eyes shut.
“Remember your breathing,” Yato offered after a couple seconds of nothing. Yukine let out harsh, rapid breaths from his pig nose that eventually slowed. The transformation was rather slow compared to the others and looked to be painful and required a ton of thought, but eventually a short, blonde teenager was sitting at the table.
“Good job!” Yato smiled.
“That was excellent Yukine! You didn’t pause once!” Kofuku added. The teen was hunched over the table, out of breath and sweaty, but smiling with pride.
“That was good, Yukine,” Hiyori complimented. By now, Daikoku set breakfast on the table, Yato and Kofuku digging in.
“Thanks,” Yukine replied, forking some pancakes onto a plate. Their breakfast continued as Hiyori politely had a bowl of late-night cereal. Her and Yukine went over his homework from that morning. Since Hiyori was out of school for the summer, and vampires were awake from sunset to sun-high, most of Yukine’s work was done right when they woke up. That way Yato and Yukine could train for the rest of the night and go on patrol by sunrise.
“So what are you doing for training today?” Daikoku asked.
“Tower.” Yato stated.
“No,” Yukine slammed his fork down.
“Ooo the tower!” Kofuku gushed, “that’s where I brought Daikoku!”
“And that only worked because I practiced properly beforehand.” Daikoku tacked on with a roll of his eyes.
“Exactly,” Yukine said.
“And you did practice properly beforehand but now it’s time you learned by the tower,” Yato pointed with his fork, “you already know all the flight positions and techniques, you just need to put them into practice.” He insisted. Yukine groaned while the rest of the table gave him sympathetic smiles and shoulder pats.
Hiyori clenched her chopsticks in apprehension as she eyed the terror that was weaved deep into Yukine’s expression. After all, a human could only become a servant to a pure-blooded vampire after certain conditions were met. Condition one was that the vampire had to be willing to tie the human’s life to theirs. The second was that the human had to be on the brink of death but still able to give the tiniest hint of consent. And the third condition- the one that had Hiyori the most uncomfortable- was that the human had to have brought themselves to death's door willingly. There was a reason Yukine feared flying, feared heights when he wasn’t clinging to Yato, and it was from a moment in his life he was at his lowest. In his own words, Yukine said he simply jumped from a place that wasn’t high enough. Yato smelled his blood, heard his dying soul calling out to be saved, and the rest was history.
Even so, a couple hours later, Hiyori followed Yato and Yukine out of town to the middle of nowhere. Apparently ‘the tower’ was an old stone cylinder that reached above the surrounding trees with a single door and a winding staircase. The top was empty with a simple mini fence preventing non-flying people from falling. Since they were in such company, Yato and Yukine walked with Hiyori up the stairs to the top, the blonde reluctant with every step. At the top, Hiyori realized the building was much higher than it looked. The wind tugged at her hair and clothes and Hiyori subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself, looking at the two with uncertainty.
“Yato, are you sure this is the best thing for flying?” She asked. Back in his ratty tracksuit, Yato waved his hand at her.
“Yes, the adrenaline and gravity are good for learning how to fly. Why do you think birds do it?”
“I am not a baby bird.” Yukine glared over his shoulder. He was leaning over the railing, looking grimmly at the ground. Hiyori came to join him and looked at the very distant, very hard ground below.
“Are you sure this is-?”
“Yes.” Yato suddenly scooped Yukine by his armpits.
“Transform.” Yato held Yukine over the side, meeting his wide eyes steadily. Yukine gulped then transformed slowly. Mid-way Yato released him, sending the kid plummeting through the air.
“Yato!” Hiyori shouted in alarm. She ran to the ledge and gripped the railing, leaning over with wide eyes as she watched the tiny body plummet towards the ground. Yukine wings beat at the air frantically, his body spriling, as his screeches echoed throughout the night.
“Yato, save him!” Hiyori looked at her friend. The vampire was beside her, calmly watching his kid fall with an intense gaze.
“Yukine needs this. He already knows how to use spells, which are supposed to come after flight.”
“That’s not the point Yato! What if he gets hurt?”
“He won’t. He knows what to do, the gravity and adrenaline will help him.”
“But this is-!”
“This is how I learned.” Yato stated. Hiyori’s mouth worked uselessly as she tried to gauge Yato’s blank face. His eyes hadn’t left Yukine for a moment, not even to blink, and Hiyori had to look back down. Yukine was much closer to the ground now, righted in a way that had him feet first, but the panicked flapping of his wings was only slowing his fall. His shrieking was more desperate, fearful, and Hiyori’s hands were starting to shake. Her head whipped back to the vampire-ready to toss him off the building herself- and she gasped. Yato was leaning over the railing. The hands grasping the wood were talons that could cut through anything, covered in darkened skin and fur. Behind him, large wings stretched soundlessly from his shoulder blades, reaching up towards the sky and eclipsing the moon. She watched the tip of his nose darken as hair grew up the bridge but Hiyori couldn’t bring herself to breathe his name. His eyes glowed as he continued to lean further over the edge, muscles bunching to jump.
Yato allowed Yukine to fall for two more, excruciately long, seconds before he shot off the tower in a blurr. The vampire was enveloped in shadow for a moment before the magic dissipated, leaving behind a plummeting bat. Yato's wings flapped with controlled purpose as he let gravity do the work, catching up the flailing blonde bat quickly. In one graceful movement, Yato pulled up just above Yukine, using his talons to gently grab the boy and let the momentum swing them back up into the air. Yato flew up high above Hiyori’s head and then slammed on the brakes, flinging Yukine further up into the sky. As the boy continued to panic on his rollercoaster ride, Yato screeched up at him, hovering while Yukine tried again.
“Yukine! Yato!” Hiyori tried calling them. Neither of them paid her mind as Yukine fell once more, this time even slower as his wings started beating in time. Then, once again, Yato gilded towards him in large dives. Picking Yukine up and bringing him higher, then letting him go. For the first couple attempts, it didn’t seem to work too well, but Hiyori continued to hear Yato’s chatter as he gave directions. Yukine quieted down and focused on his progress now that he knew Yato wasn’t going to let him hit the ground. Eventually, Yukine found himself able to hover in one spot and then shifted to copying Yato as they swooped down in large U-shapes. With a smile, Hiyori ran down the stairs as Yukine let the momentum of his falls take him up until he slowed to a hover, then dove back down. By the time she made it off the tower, Yato was transformed again with Yukine flying a foot off the grass.
“Yukine! You did it! Look at you!” Hiyori ran over. The tiny yellow bat squeaked happily as his wings continued to pump frantically.
“Yeah, see? I knew you could do it,” Yato winked down at his kid, “now you just gotta work on changing directions. Especially going up.” At his words Hiyori realized Yukine was stuck at the height he was at and she tried to give him encouragement. He flapped too much and tumbled backwards.
“Lean forward, just like in practice, push the wind down.” Yato reminded. Yukine gave it his best shot but ended up leaning too far forward and went into the grass, tripping on his feet.
“That was a good try, Yukine,” Hiyori bent over to scoop him up. She hardly lifted him past the waist when he scurried off her hand and jumped back into the air. Hiyori yelped and Yato laughed as Yukine only spun once before catching himself. He hovered and started screeching at Yato, the vampire taking his time transforming into a bat and hovering too. Hiyori took a tiny step back as Yato gave quick instructions and demonstrated directions. Together they leaned one way, then the other, then up and down. Eventually Yukine was fluttering around Hiyori as happy as a bumblebee.
“I’d say your beginner's training is just about complete. Congratulations kiddo,” Yato said, back on his two legs. Yukine hovered for a moment, staring at him, before he flew over and fluttered around Yato’s head. At first Hiyori thought Yato was getting scratched again, but Yukine harmlessly bumped against Yato’s head.
“Now you’ll never have to worry about falling again. Proud of you,” Yato muttered quietly, one eye closed while his servant fluttered against his hair.
“Me too,” Hiyori stepped closer and offered a smile. Finally tuckered out, Yukine perched himself on Yato’s shoulder.
“Guess we better head home before we head out for patrol,” Yato sighed as he pat Yukine’s head with his finger.
“What right now?” Hiyori blinked. This was the time they hung out and if they planned on working until noon they would be hunting for several hours. With a sigh, Yato started walking with Hiyori at his side.
“There’s been a spike in corrupt souls lately. That’s normal for the summer time, young pure-bloods tend to be more active in warmer weather. But humans can’t become servants if the conditions aren't met. Forcing it just corrupts them. Not that young bloods know that, nor care.” Yato muttered the last part with disdain.
“I see,” Hiyori looked to the grass, “so they drink the blood of humans and it corrupts them?”
“Not exactly. You can drink the blood of a human and it’ll be fine but young bloods can't control their powers so they accidentally force their will on regular humans which is unnatural. If you force your power on a human it's best to drain them dry, but they’re young and have no control so they don’t properly sedate the victim, or let go too early, or their power just leaks through. There’s countless reasons for these crazy humans running around.” Yato said, “not to worry though. Once the cold season comes back the weaker ones will go into hibernation. Then us old farts devour them, absorb their power, and the cycle continues.” When he noticed Hiyori’s worried face, he immediately backtracked and apologised. She waved him off, too busy sorting through her complicated feelings.
Of course she was naturally opposed to the blood drinking, the manipulation, the corruption. But Hiyori also knew that drinking blood was such a sacred act to vampires. It was eating, sure. Something some did offhandedly to survive, while others were gluttonous, and the rest connoisseurs. An act of bringing food to a party, or as an offering, or having red wine on date. Food was a staple that their culture revolved around with it’s own rules and manners; what families did to be closer. The simple act that could completely change one's mood. Killing humans was taboo for vampires and drinking their blood was seen as distasteful and primal. But everyone knew it happened behind closed doors as a scandalous activity.
Yato was known for ‘sucking humans dry’ as he put it. His previous servants leaving him because he was greedy when it came to blood, rough and relentless when taking it. Like all vampires, his power made it so that it wasn’t painful. But it was the principal. That was why he rarely took blood from his current servant and stuck to the supplements, much to Yukine’s chagrin. The teen insisted he could handle it, that he trusted Yato not to leave him pale and passed out, but Yato was stubborn. Hiyori knew he often went long periods without a servant and therefore without food (he was considerably weaker during those times, small and pale with sunken eyes as he sometimes still got). But still, despite all that, Hiyori couldn’t stand knowing Yato was going hungry every day. Against all her instincts she wanted to offer herself to him.
“Welp! That’s why we have our servants!” Yato patted Yukine again, “human spells are something else! Cleansing corruption as the bridge between our species. Such talent,” Yato said. Yukine chirped at the shameless praise and his friends smiled. Hiyori relaxed at the reminder of Yukine’s other- more wholesome- job. It wasn’t a kind process but the results were worth it.
“Speaking of,” Yato suddenly stopped, tone dark, eyes narrowed. Stumbling to a halt, Hiyori sucked in a breath, looking around the woods. They were so close to the city, the streetlights across the road shining through the trees. It illuminated the silhouette stumbling towards them, gleaming off the knife the man held in his hand. Yato stepped in front of Hiyori, taking Yukine off his shoulder and handing him to her. Yukine shrieked at his master while Hiyori breathed his name.
“Blood. Blood! I need blood,” the man said like a mantra, “I want to see it spill.” He insisted as he swayed closer to them, drunkenly focused on Hiyori.
“Both of us are unarmed. But I’ll hold him off and try to sedate him while Yukine transforms,” Yato looked at him, “I know you’re tired, but do your best. Don’t force it otherwise you’ll cause damage to your body and mind.”
“Let me see it! Let me have it! I’ll spill your blood!” The man roared and started to charge. Yato was much faster and the attacker was only able to take two steps before being knocked back several feet. It wasn’t enough to kill him, Yato promised he would never do that in front of these two, but unless he broke some bones the man would continue to come after Hiyori.
As Yato advanced, Hiyori dropped to her knees and let Yukine down. Yato would be able to handle himself against this person, but a corrupted human was stronger than normal and didn’t care about pain. If they made too much of a commotion, someone would notice, and Yato could only sedate a person a couple times before they built immunity. The vampire wouldn’t take any blood either, so it was impossible to weaken him and strengthen Yato. In the grass, the tiny gold bat was breathing rapidly. Little body rising and falling far too quickly. Yukine’s frantic eyes looked up to her own, ears constantly twitching at the sounds of the scuffle behind him.
“C-calm down, Yukine,” Hiyori parroted Yato, “remember your breathing!” It helped a little. Yukine’s panting shifted to more controlled breathing, in through his upturned nose and out the fanged mouth. It still took several long seconds for Yukine to even begin transforming. The kid had talent, spells and transformation came after long years as a servant, and he was able to do far more than most. But even so, Yukine was still new and inexperienced. His transformation was slow and painful, shadows sliding off him like thick ink in splotches, and leaving him winded and dizzy. When he fell forward, Hiyori was there to catch him.
“Are you okay? Don’t force yourself,” Hiyori said. She looked up just in time to see Yato kneeling over the man. Despite his pointed ears and nails, Yato gave the man a regular punch across the face. The man’s smile remained as his head whipped to the side and his hands continued to claw at Yato’s face. Eventually he kicked Yato’s leg and tried to run, only to be tackled by the vampire, knife slicing Yato’s shoulder. The vampire’s white t-shirt was stained with bright crimson as it dripped down his biceps. The scent of his master’s blood jolted Yukine out of his lull and he sat back up. The sudden movement caused Yukine to sway again and his finger kneaded his head, Hiyori’s hands hovering with concern.
“I can do it,” Yukine grunted, “I can squeeze out one or two spells.” He forced himself to his feet. Hiyori watched him worryingly before her head whipped to the side. Her wide and fearful eyes met the man as he sprinted towards her, one arm twisted and broken while saliva seeped from his smile.
“I smell it! The blood of a pure soul! Give it to me! The priestess's blood!” His hollar caused Hiyori to gasp and for Yukine to remain frozen like a deer in headlight. Something emerged behind him, leaping up into the air with clawed hands poised on either side of their prey’s head. Yato’s eyes, glowing blue like ice in the arctic waters, were the only thing Hiyori could make out in the blurred shadow of his form. The man was sent harshly to the ground, the force of Yato’s pounce cracking the man’s spine. That was enough to cause the man to cry out.
“Yato!” Hiyori shouted, fearing permanent paralysis. She was ignored as Yato snarled down at the squirming human.
“You won’t be getting a drop of her blood,” he seethed, fangs bared. At her side, Yukine bit his fore-finger and smeared the blood to the second finger. Pointing them both at the man, Yukine began muttering out a spell. While the man struggled beneath him, Yato opened his mouth wide and worked to reveal the jugular.
“The blood! I need it! The blood of that pure maiden!” The corrupt soul continued to rage. He fought so violently under Yato that the vampire struggled to keep him pinned and reveal his neck. Yato leaned down, teeth bared, but the man suddenly reared back and cracked the back of his skull against his nose.
“Son of a-!” Yato cursed. By now, Yukine’s spell was completed without the help of his master and all the effort was shattered in the air around them. Yukine hissed at the impact and the excretion while Yato clutched his bleeding nose. Ceasing the opportunity, the man lunged with maniacal laughter, mouth open towards Hiyori. The girl fell back and brought her fists up, ready to clock the lunatic. But Yato’s clawed hand wrapped around the man’s face, his nails digging into the man's cheek, holding him just inches from Hiyori.
Through her fear, Hiyori watched Yato’s terrifying slit eyes shoot out from behind the man, the whites of his fangs flashing before they sunk into his flesh. Finally the man’s echolalia was silenced as he choked. The sound of Yato’s fangs sliding through flesh caused Hiyori’s hands to shake. The man went limp and still, his eyes open and glazed. Yato held him there like a predator preparing to snap the neck of its prey, the whites of his eyes turning pitch black. His servant’s fingers were pointed, shaking with fatigue, as Yukine finally casted the spell. Whatever sinister corruption the man carried evaporated and Yato finally released him. Together, the three gave a collected sigh of relief.
“It’s finally over,” Yukine slurred. He was really starting to sway now, just as the corrupt soul had been, only the servant’s eyes were hazy and already starting to close. Yato caught him before he fell too far.
“Yukine!” Hiyori fretted. It’s been a while since Yukine had fainted from exerting too much power.
“He must still be tired from transforming so much in the past couple hours. Then again he’s only able to cast about four spells when he’s at his best.” Yato rolled Yukine over in his arms so the kid was face up. Eyes closed and mouth open, Yukine’s feet dragged on the ground while Yato supported him. The vampire's expression was back to the soft features Hiyori was used to as Yato cut his wrist and pressed the blood against Yukine’s lips. When the kid drank enough, Yato situated Yukine on his back and let Yukine’s head rest on his shoulder.
“We should head back. I don’t think there’s gonna be patrol tonight.” Yato said. Hiyori hummed, following the vampire back to Kofuku’s while the man remained passed out in the grass.
“Is there a reason you’re pushing him so hard?” Hiyori asked after some time. Maybe she was just a human with no idea of vampire timeframes. But Yato always seemed like the type to let Yukine have free reign of his studies and progression. It was out of character for Yato to push Yukine to do something he was so scared of.
“Yukine will always be afraid of falling. It was traumatizing for him. He needed a push, one that I rather give him in a controlled environment. It would be bad if he got tossed during a battle and couldn’t catch himself.”
“Who would throw him?” Hiyori gasped. Yato didn’t answer for a moment, then signed.
“My hibernation is next summer,” Yato muttered.
“What? You?” Hiyori asked just as quietly. It was a taboo secret to talk about a vampires hibernation time.
“All vampires do it. Just depends on how powerful you are. The more servants you have to take blood from, the longer you can run on their power. I sleep every 50-70 years, give or take, Kofuku sleeps about the same if not a little more. Meanwhile Tenjin and Bishamon sleep every century or so,” Yato explained, “normally I go into hiding but Yukine insisted he could handle it. It’s not that I don’t trust him, but I don’t want him fighting off other vampires and servants. No matter how strong he thinks he is.” Yato frowned at the ground, shifting the boy on his back. Hiyori looked down too, aware of how much the praise fueled Yukine's confidence. But it was impossible for a servant to go up against a vampire.
“He sleeps in your coffin when you’re gone,” Hiyori spoke with melancholy, “Are you staying at Kofuku’s then?”
“I’m gonna have to. It’s embarrassing but I do trust her not to eat me. And Daikoku to help make sure others stay away. Otherwise Bishamon offered since I’m the last person she’d want blood from. Plus she has more than enough servants to give me my own army. So who knows? I just want to get it over with, the year before my sleep is always so weak and groggy. Doesn’t make being hungry any better.” Yato muttered the last parts but Hiyori only hummed.
“How long, uh,” Hiyori felt a little sad, “how long will you be gone?” She ignored the way Yato looked at her. He nudged her and smiled.
“Just a season!” He chirped.
“What? That’s it?”
“Yep! Three moon cycles! My most vulnerable time,” Yato said, “I just wish I was around to see the cherry blossoms with you. It’s a shame I got Yukine so close to my time.” He mourned. Hiyori placed a hand on his shoulder.
“I’ll take pictures.” She promised. Yato beamed, fangs tucked away where they were almost unnoticed.
“Oh! And try not to bother Yukine too much! He’s gonna be a little feral during my hibernation, it’s natural, but don’t push it!” Yato smiled, unaware of Hiyori's balking.
“You’re home early, oh my gosh Yuki!” Kofuku looked over the servant worriedly. She was out of her pajamas and in a black dress with a tiered skirt and lace sleeves. In her hands was a matching fan, a gift from Daikoku, and she dropped it on the table. At the sound of her worry, said man peaked out from the kitchen.
“He used too much energy,” Yato let his hand rest on Yukine’s head, “it was my fault. I pushed him.”
“No ya didn’t,” Daikoku sighed, “and he’d throw a fit if he heard you say that.”
“Yeah, well, he’s already gonna throw a fit when he wakes up,” Yato grumbled, “I’ll put him in my coffin.” He nodded to them and made his way up the stairs. Hiyori took the time to recount everything that happened before following her friend to the attic. Gently, Hiyori pushed open the door just in time to see Yato laying Yukine down into the bed. He shuffled around the kid and pulled out two swords, weapons like Kofuku’s fan made up of the master and servant. It helped attack the corruption inside a human but it could never kill it completely. Standing, Yato left the lid open and made his way towards her.
“You okay?” He asked awkwardly, not able to look her in the eyes but searching her intently for injury.
“It’s okay,” Hiyori smiled, “I’m okay. What about you?” Her eyes drifted to his shoulder and she frowned. Normally vampires regenerated easily from normal weapons but Yato’s wound was still pink, just scabbing. He gave it a courtesy glance before flashing her a grin.
“Yep. I’ll be good as new by moon-high, don’t worry.” His gentle expression was returned and the air warmed around them for a moment. Behind them, Yukine let out a groan and Yato jolted to attention. Placing a cold hand on her shoulder, Yato leaned towards her ear, causing the highschooler’s cheeks to pink and goosebumps to rise.
“Try to keep him there for as long as you can. Don’t let him get up too fast,” Yato gave her a wink and hurried down the stairs just as Yukine started kneading his head. Hiyori rolled her eyes despite the smile on her face and she made her way to the teen. She crouched while Yukine struggled to open his eyes, coaxing him through his grumbling. The boy rubbed his eyes and looked at her with a confused frown then sighed and forced himself to a sitting position. Hiyori helped as he grabbed the sides of the coffin and pushed.
“How do you feel?” Hiyori asked gently.
“Mmm okay. Better actually, wow, I feel really good. Usually I’m sore and achy after exerting mys-” Yukine’s eyes grew wide as his hands jerked from his face. Biting her lip, Hiyori stopped the sigh from bubbling as Yukine’s temper boiled.
“Yato said not to get up too fast,” Hiyori said as Yukine started to shake.
“Who gives a- what that guy,” Yukine growled. Despite his anger, Yukine got out of the coffin carefully, easily finding his energy and stomping down the stairs with Hiyori following.
“You gave me your blood? Are you stupid?” Yukine accused the moment he stepped foot in the kitchen.
“Uh-oh,” Daikoku jeered. Yato looked up as calmly as he could from his card game, blinking up at Yukine with innocent eyes. Taking a seat next to him, Hiyori saw his cards were crooked and she imagined him scrambling to grab them once he heard his kid coming.
“I just figured you didn’t want to sleep the night away,” Yato offered weakly. Daikoku coughed out a laugh while Yukine’s eye brows somehow knitted tighter together.
“You barely eat as it is! You can’t afford to give up blood for every little thing!”
“It’s normal for a vampire to heal their servants,” Kofuku tried to help.
“Yeah, heal them. When they need it. For emergencies and injuries,” Yukine glared at Yato, “not when they pass out.” He marched over and sat on the other side of Yato, thrusting his arm towards the vampire.
“Here. Eat.” Yukine commanded. Yato gave his skin a long look before he batted it away.
“It’s not good to take from a servant you just gave to. Besides, if you’re really revving to go we can go back on patrol and I can eat after.” Yato said, looking back at his cards.
“I thought you said my blood was rare! That we’re compatible and it was ‘absolutely brimming with power’! Which, last I checked, was rare for a loner like you!”
“It is! Your blood is scrum-diddly-umptious, I could just eat you up!” Yato cooed. Seeing that his teasing wouldn't distract the teen this time, he straightened out.
“But that’s the problem. You’re a kid and a newbie and taking too much is not the best. Especially after all the spell casting and such. I said I’ll eat later so I will.” Yato said. His kid visibly fumed and Hiyori placed a caring hand on Yato’s arm.
“Maybe you should have some supplements, Yato. You are looking a little pale.”
“I’m a vampire.”
“That doesn’t mean anything! Look at my luscious cheeks,” Kofuku smushed her face to try and brighten the mood but Yukine only scoffed.
“Forget it. The idiot can starve for all I care. Maybe once he’s the one that passes out he’ll learn.” Yukine got up and stomped to the kitchen, taking his apron off the rack and going into the store. They didn’t hear the bell so there couldn’t be any customers in the little butcher shop attached to the house, but Yukine probably just wanted space. Yato watched the door shut and sighed, finally putting his cards down.
“It’s offensive to not drink his blood at all. Just learn some self control.” Daikoku grunted at Yato from over a beer. His words went ignored as Yato stood and wandered into the bathroom. Masters and servants were connected by blood and by soul, so Yato felt all of Yukine’s pain and irritation. Thankfully the sense only went one way, so Yukine wasn’t suffering from Yato’s migraine. He lied to Yukine and Hiyori. Like the scum he was, he took some of that corrupt’s blood, disgusting hand-me-downs of another’s magic, and refused to tell the two closest to him. They’d be so disappointed, hurt, and sickened by his monstrous acts. Even so, that drop of blood only went into the effort it took to sedate the man. His violence was rare and only spurred on by the pure blood Hiyori carried. Eyesight blurry, Yato floated towards the medicine cabinet, shuffling through the bottles until he found one sheet of plastic and aluminum. Pulling the metal back, the plastic indents were empty so Yato tossed it towards the trash, missing.
“I got it,” Yato muttered as he continued looking. Even so, Hiyori picked it up and wordlessly dropped it in the bin. Finally pulling out another sheet, Yato looked at what was left and did calculations in a haze. These supplements were like vitamins, not meant to live off of; even so he tries to have one every other day. But with the energy he's expelled in the past couple hours, Yato was starving for more.
“Yato,” Hiyori mumbled. He ignored her and ripped the package open, filling a glass of water while dumping out three to four pills. Hiyori’s worried gaze made him feel guilty over an activity he did so regularly he didn’t think he could feel bad over it. She tended to have that effect on him. The water continued to run after Yato choked down the handful of supplements. He put the package back and hoped Yukine wouldn’t be too angry with the money it would take to buy more. Maybe Kofuku would spot him again.
There was something dangerous about being around a hungry vampire. Of course Yato was always hungry, but the back of Hiyori’s neck always stood on end when she witnessed his ravenous. It was the same feeling she got when he attacked other humans, a predator that would stop at nothing to eat it’s target alive. But there was also something sad about it. In the LED lighting of the bathroom, illuminated by the white surroundings, Yato was dripping with desperation. Just like Yukine was when Yato found him, but bone-deep. His skin blended in with his surroundings and his eyes were sunken in with dark circles that almost matched his ink hair. She could make out his blue veins and knew his muscles should be more full. She’s seen him at his best, seen him after attacking a deer and after disappearing for some time. He looked so alive, smile the biggest it’s ever been and his childish excitement even bigger. Her doctor family would be so horrified if they knew she excused Yato’s murders during his disappearance. But now, he was weak, dull, and tired. Keeping his promise to Yukine to never eat another human again. She hoped Yukine wasn’t regretting his resolve. The skin of her arm was soft as she rubbed it absentmindedly.
“Yato,” Hiyori said again, this time with more strength. It took a second for Yato to collect himself and he looked at her with such focus and nonchalant that she was almost able to forget how malnourished he truly was. Almost.
“You know Daikoku’s kidding about the steaks right? Of course you can eat them if you’re hungry.” Hiyori quickly veered off what she wanted to say. Her wristed rolled so the pads of her fingers brushed the soft of her arm up and down. If Yato noticed the action, he didn’t glance at it.
“Yeah, don’t worry Hiyori. I said I would eat tonight, and I will.” Yato pushed himself off the sink with a crooked grin. When he stepped towards Hiyori, she didn’t move, clutching her arm.
“Hiyori? What’s wrong?” Yato’s voice softened, “I’m serious, you know, don’t worry about me. I just need some rest and I’ll make it through the night-” His soft crooning choked off violently like a punch to the teeth. His mouth watered on command and Yato’s jaw clicked shut to keep from spilling. He was standing so close to Hiyori he had been able to smell her shampoo but now his senses were on overdrive. The scent of her blood filled the air of the tiny bathroom like a thick fog, the iron sending his heart galloping. He could practically taste it and god it was delicious.
“Stop telling us not to worry about you! That really upsets us. And it hurts to see you starving yourself just to be a better person,” Hiyori spoke to the floor as her fingers tightened, “you can’t just live off of vitamins, it's not healthy! Please, Yato, we care about you and we-” When Hiyori finally looked up to her friend, something deep inside regretted her words. Black and blue eyes stared back at her, the sorrow of someone who’s hurt far too many people flashing before she was slammed against the door behind her. Her breath caught in her throat, gasp overshadowed by the pounding of her heart. The blood from her fingernails dripped down her arm onto the floor and she prayed Kofuku couldn’t smell it. Not that she could think too much of it. Eyes blown wide, Hiyori stared at the ceiling, off in the opposite direction of her friend. She felt the long twin needles hovering just above her pulse as his panting numbed her skin. Fear held her perfectly still. Hiyori trembled as drool dripped onto her collarbone.
Yato loomed over her, one hand pressed against the door above her head as his mouth opened slowly but so, so wide. His other hand remained as far away from her as possible, claws embedded in the frame to keep it that way. Only their heads touched, hair and cheeks just brushing against each other as Yato’s fangs were poised with practiced ease. The two needles pushed to their absolute peak of length and sharpness. She could leave. She had enough room to get away and lord knows if she wanted to bend him into a pretzel she could. But she didn’t. In fact his dear friend seemed just as frozen in this position as he was. No, it wasn’t that Yukine’s blood wasn’t good. It was tasty, like cold water on a hot day mixed with the finest expresso money could buy. Necessary and vital to his day. But Hiyori came from a long line of doctors and priestesses. Humans that were far too in touch with the supernatural yet not tainted in the slightest. There was a reason those old farts like Dracula and Vlad prefered to target young virgin women. Because they were the absolute most delectable. And a virgin priestess? Even humans knew they were a treat worthy of being sacrificed to the gods.
Heart pounding against his ribs like war drums, Yato’s instincts snarled at him to get on with it. Just one mouthful and he would be at top condition for three weeks, draining her would keep him at high power for god knows how long. His hibernation could be pushed off for a while. It was so rare for a priestess to be without some sort of cross or holy protection charm but this human- in all her naive sweetness- had long since removed her grandmother’s gifts. And Hiyori, god Hiyori always smelled so good. It was so tantalizing having something so mouthwatering standing right beside you all the time. But even with knowing all that, Yato could only feel shame and disgust. Despite the physical pain it caused to refuse the offered drops of her blood, Yato couldn’t do it. Because he knew it would change their relationship. It would change everything. She would be tainted by him and he would forever know what paradise felt like. Besides, he knew what he really wanted was her warmth. To feel her heartbeat with his own and let her warmth spread throughout his body. The same warmth that brightened her smile and heated her gentle touches. Yato wanted those things more than anything and taking it just to satisfy his hunger would be selfish and wrong. Eyes fading, he took a deep breath and latched.
“Kyyaahh!” Hiyori yelped. The sound was covered by the raspberry Yato blew into her neck. Her head clocked into his as she tried to move away, the loud, immature sound dissipating the buzzing tension. She shoved him away by his cheeks and berated him for being gross and disgusting, not once commenting on the drool from his hesitating fangs. Yato chuckled weakly at the fuming girl, eyeing the red of her face with a forced smile. He could still hear her heartbeat from here but his was just as loud.
“I don’t believe you! How gross!” Hiyori continued to exclaim, her voice cracking in an odd way. Even so, she sntached the wet towel Yato handed her with shaking hands. By now her little nail prints had cloted but Hiyori wiped the residue away anyway, irritated, hurt, and relieved.
“You shouldn’t really offer yourself up to a young man like that, Hiyori. What would your mother say if she found out how indecent you were being?” Yato teased. This further irritated the girl and Yato knew that if he were any less starving she would have broken his nose by now. A knock sounded on the door behind her.
“Hiyori? You okay? I heard a bang and I wanted to make sure you weren’t trying to seduce Yatty?” Kofuku’s joke veiled her very real concern and Yato couldn’t help but grin wider at the glare Hiyori screwed him with. Offended and embarrassed by the vampires and their freaky culture. She spun around without another glance and opened the door.
“I am not!” She huffed. Yato watched her rush from the room with red-tipped ears and waited for Kofuku to follow, only to sigh when she didn’t. The pink-haired vampire held his eyes and Yato looked to the floor where a single, tiny drop of blood stained the tile. He wanted to sink to his knees and laugh or cry, or both. Sitting in the fetal position on the cold hard floor while he fought the urge to lick the red off the ground. Kofuku sighed and walked to him, stopping him from acting out his pathetic daydream.
“Daikoku and I will talk to her. She shouldn’t do things like that, even if she means well.” Kofuku mumbled, hand on his cheek to keep him looking at her.
“She was trying to help,” Yato confessed, “and I almost let her.”
“It’s cruel.” Kofuku said simply, meaning no malice towards the human girl. Yato only hummed, not moving as Kofuku moved her head to the side and tried nudging his head closer.
“You just ate.”
“I know.”
“Daikoku won’t be very happy.”
“He knows.”
“And in the bathroom, Kofuku? My how scandalous,” Yato hummed as he leaned forward.
“Hmm, well, my dear boyfriend, we could take this to the bedroom if that will make you feel better.” Her voice was soft and soothing and Yato found himself following the little lady down the hall.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright? I really do promise to take from Yukine later.”
“We want you to have your fill. Take from me so you won’t be as bad with Yukine,” Kofuku shrugged. She grabbed his hand and tugged him along as he hesitated, both very aware of the human girl sitting back at the table. What would he do without them? Their support? Yato wanted to cry.
“Thank you.” He said simply as she shut the bedroom door. If it was a bit awkward later, Yato made sure it wasn’t for long. All it took was a couple of funny faces to get Hiyori and Yukine back into their feisty, passionate spirits again. And seeing him suddenly have a bit more life in his steps as they patrolled the city only lifted their spirits further. There was still pain and worry, each of the three friends wanting to give everything they had to help the other. But by the time Hiyori climbed back into her bedroom window, she was smiling from ear to ear. Happy to wave goodbye to the large black vampire bat and his tiny golden bat servant as they easily flew off towards the moon.